Giants shooter Matisse Letherbarrow on breaking out of the shadow of veteran stars, shutting out criticism

Giants shooter Matisse Letherbarrow has had to bide her time behind others early in her career but as she finally gets a clear run, it’s her ability to block out the noise that will stand her in good stead.

Matisse Letherbarrow playing against Sunshine Coast Lightning in May. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

For as long as she can remember, Matisse Letherbarrow has been good at blocking out the white noise.

Being able to put her best foot forward for the Giants and play to the best of her ability is what matters most to one of the purest shooters in netball, who has served a long apprenticeship at the highest level of the game.

It’s a skill that will serve her well as the Giants battle through the back half of the season attempting to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder while speculation continues about the future of senior players and coaches.

Matisse Letherbarrow (L) speaks with her Giants teammate, Diamonds GA, Sophie Dwyer. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Since joining the club’s full-time list in 2022, Letherbarrow has had limited opportunities in a shooting line-up that includes former England Roses goaler Jo Harten and Diamonds goal attack Sophie Dwyer.

But with 36-year-old Harten waging a war with her ageing knees and sleepless nights after she and her partner welcomed their first child in April, Letherbarrow is getting more regular court time and opportunity to show that she can be a high-volume scorer in the best league in the world.

“How my mindset has been the whole time I’ve been in the Giants is just making sure I’m fully prepared for any opportunity, whatever that looks like,” Letherbarrow said.

“I’ve obviously got some really, really great players around me that also help me prepare and help me feel confident.

“I know what my role needs to be in the team, and I know the things that I need to do to play my best and be that threat in the goal shooting position.

“So I don’t really change my mindset (according) to what’s my playing time going to look like or whether it’s starting or not, I just want to make my impact either way and fulfil my role to the best of my ability.”

Matisse Letherbarrow scored 52 points against the Fever in round 7. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

After finishing with the wooden spoon last year and struggling again in the early stages this season, the Giants are under enormous scrutiny, with both Harten and veteran coach Julie Fitzgerald off contract at the end of the season.

Debate has been raging among fans and commentators about whether Letherbarrow should be taking the baton from Harten already, something the 23-year-old’s 52-point effort against the Fever in round 7 will only amplify.

It’s noise she won’t be buying into herself.

“I’ve always been pretty good in … completely blocking out everything, whether it’s people’s opinions, media or whatnot,” she said.

“I think our team’s really good at just focusing on ourselves and focusing on each other.

“We’re the ones that have to turn up each day and train our hearts out and play the game, so I’ve never taken notice of kind of what’s happening outside of our team.

Matisse Letherbarrow the netballer at 11

Letherbarrow, age 13

“I don’t think I’ve really cared too much about people’s opinions, because, yeah, I really just want to be that team player and focus on what I have to do to perform my best.”

That shouldn’t be read as complacency though.

“Obviously I would be lying if I said we weren’t disappointed with how the first half of the season has gone,” Letherbarrow said.

“But we’re definitely trying to take all the positives out of the games we have played – and we have really put out some solid performances and have showcased some really great things … it’s just trying to build on that and show that for longer periods of time in games.”

Originally published as Giants shooter Matisse Letherbarrow on breaking out of the shadow of veteran stars, shutting out criticism