Super Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds on how to stop Gretel Bueta
How do you limit the influence of one of Super Netball’s biggest stars? Adelaide Thunderbirds’ defence has devised a tactic which even it admits could turn “crazy”.
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If there is one player who can tear apart Thunderbirds’ impressive defence and put a massive speed bump in their route to finals it is Firebirds’ goal attack Gretel Bueta.
But Thunderbirds defender Latanya Wilson knows exactly what she will have to do to keep Bueta out of the danger zone – “run like crazy”.
The Firebirds goaler has proved one of the hardest for defenders to match this season topping the stats for centre pass receives and netting 87 per cent of her shots.
The Thunderbirds have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 461 goals this season, 58 goals better than the next best team Swifts.
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Wilson, 21, is ranked in the top five for intercepts and defensive rebounds.
Wednesday’s clash will be the second time Wilson, who joined the Thunderbirds in 2021, has come up against Bueta, as the Firebirds player missed last season to have her son.
“She is an excellent player, this time around I know she is one of the key players we have to get out of the game and as a goal defence that will be on me this week,” Wilson said.
“At training we have been doing a lot of running and coming back into the middle to stop Bueta’s movements and to cut her off in the shooting circle.
“One of her strengths is her running because she is so fit, so I guess for me it means I’ll just have to keep running like crazy.”
Wilson, who plays goal defence alongside fellow Jamaican netballer Shamera Sterling, said it was the chance to play against stars like Bueta which made Super Netball so great.
“One of the things I usually say to myself is I have nothing to lose but so much to gain and that is what motivates me when I come against the big players,” Wilson said.
“I just give it my all because they have everything on the line, which I don’t.”
And while she keeps her cool on court Wilson said she always made a point to celebrate any wins or big moments against the big players in the change room or at home after the game.
“It is important to celebrate those small moments,” she said.
Thunderbirds have had a bumpy start to the season with just three wins from their nine games.
They lost the last match-up with Firebirds 50-60.
Wilson said the side still had the drive to make the top four.
“We still have that fire inside of us that we can beat any and every team,” she said.
“It is on us to be disciplined and stick to the game plan – if we do that we should be in the top four.”
After going down to Magpies 67-71 on Sunday Firebirds will be desperate to get back in the winner’s circle and hold on to their top four spot.
Thunderbirds will play Firebirds at Netball SA Stadium, Adelaide at 8pm (AEST).
NET GAINS: GLIMPSE OF FINAL SIX COMES EARLY?
The Melbourne Vixens will have to overcome a hostile Perth crowd as well as the West Coast Fever if they are to take top spot on the ladder in a match pegged as an early glimpse at the Super Netball grand final.
The Vixens will play in the west for the first time in three years after skipping the trip to Perth last year at the height of the pandemic when three key players were refused entry to the state after they travelled to Byron Bay over a bye weekend — an area subsequently declared a red zone by the West Australian government.
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The “postponement” of the match ignited an ugly public blame game, with the Fever accusing the Vixens of “refusing” to travel and seeking compensation for costs after expecting a bumper crowd of up to 9000 — fans who would not have been able to watch the match after Perth was plunged into a lockdown.
A Netball Australia investigation though found the Vixens breached Super Netball’s Team Participation Agreement by refusing to travel and fined the club $50,000 — half of which was suspended — and ordered it to pay more than $30,000 for the cost to replay the postponed clash in Brisbane later in the season.
While the team and players are understood to be on good terms again, fans may not be so forgiving on Tuesday night in a derby match that could offer a glimpse of the grand final six weeks early.
The Fever’s “green army” are among the league’s most passionate fans and will not offer the visitors a break in the top of the table clash.
Tuesday games
The Fever and Vixens were pegged as competition favourites ahead of the season but few thought they’d gap the competition as they have heading into the last month of the regular season.
After nine rounds, the pair is locked at the top of the ladder, three wins ahead of their nearest rivals and victory on Tuesday will give the winners one hand on the minor premiership as well as a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
The Vixens took the spoils in their round 4 clash in Melbourne in the first half of the season but couldn’t hold on for sole leadership on the ladder after a shock loss to the Sunshine Coast.
The Fever and Vixens are ahead of four sides on 16 points, including resurgent premiers, the NSW Swifts, who will be out to extend their winning run to three games and put the final nail in the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s season.
With only the slightest mathematical chance of playing finals, the Lightning’s post-season run can be ended by the visitors, who are refusing to meekly hand over their premiership despite losing international shooter Sam Wallace in the opening round.
The Lightning will welcome former Diamonds midcourter Laura Scherian back from Covid protocols but lose defender Kate Walsh — a worry considering the time it has taken them to get a strong defensive combination this season.
The Swifts are backing up just 48 hours after their round 9 match but victory is crucial if they are to hold on to their finals hopes.
Wednesday matches
The Collingwood Magpies will hold the second of their games in Tasmania on Wednesday night, taking on the Giants in Launceston in a bid to climb into the top four.
While they are currently sitting in sixth spot on the ladder, the Pies are one of the form teams in the league, having won three of their last four — over sides in the top four — with their only loss a five-goal defeat at the hands of competition-leaders the Fever.
Their clash with the Giants could determine whether they play finals this season or not.
Adelaide host Queensland in the Battle of the Birds in the final midweek clash on Wednesday, with the Thunderbirds’ all but out of finals contention if they lose.
The Firebirds are sitting in third place on the ladder despite back-to-back losses but with such a compacted ladder, are likely to drop out of the four if they lose and could see their finals hopes disappear altogether.
After breaking a five-match losing streak in round 8, Adelaide went down to the Swifts on Sunday and unless they can conjure a complete form turnaround, their season looks over.
The eight reserves making most of Super Netball chances
What a difference a week makes.
After plenty of analysis over the difference the super shot isn’t making to games given poor conversion rates this season, along come the Giants and Matisse Letherbarrow, who shot the lights out from long range to force extra time against the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday.
Love it or hate it, the super shot is here to stay and while there would have been plenty of fans livid if the Giants had won the clash that ended up a 66-63 victory to the Vixens given the home side’s 12 super shot conversions, there’s no doubt it made the match a thriller.
An illness to captain and English import Jo Harten brought rookie Letherbarrow into the match and she was outstanding from long range, finishing with nine-of-11 from super shot range to keep her side in the match.
Having Harten exit the match was massive blow for the Giants but Letherbarrow took the rare chance for an extended stint on court to show coach Julie Fitzgerald she’s up to the task.
In a compacted round containing midweek fixtures, bench players like Letherbarrow could feature more than usual.
We run the rule over the reserves in each team that could make the most impact this week.
West Coast Fever
EMMA COSH
Fever aren’t just the ladder leaders due to their outstanding starting seven. They have the depth and versatility to cover for absences, as they did at the weekend with Jess Anstiss still sidelined with a foot injury and regular goaler Sasha Glasgow starting on the bench.
Emma Cosh, who is equally at home in the midcourt and at goal attack, took on a shooter’s role in the opening half with coach Dan Ryan holding Glasgow in reserve early.
Cosh made four-of-seven goals but it was the work she did out front of Jhaniele Fowler that was most important.
Melbourne Vixens
OLIVIA LEWIS
Recruited from the Fever in the off-season, Olivia Lewis has been a revelation, spending plenty of time on court at goalkeeper despite the Vixens boasting former Diamonds squad member Emily Mannix in the same position.
Lewis gives the Vixens an outstanding defensive rotation along with Diamonds goal defence Jo Weston and Mannix, with the young gun one of the buys of the season.
With the Vixens locked with the Fever in the competition lead, could Lewis play a key role in returning them to premiers just 12 months after they landed the wooden spoon.
Queensland Firebirds
KIM JENNER
A Diamonds squad member just 12 months ago, Kim Jenner has found herself on the Firebirds bench given the rapid rise of young gun Ruby Bakewell-Doran and intimidating presence of England import Eboni Usoro-Brown.
But having the ability to inject a player of Jenner’s ability into the game to change momentum is a luxury for coach Megan Anderson and look for the defender to play a big role in the back end of the season as the Firebirds continue their finals push.
Giants netball
MATISSE LETHERBARROW
Added to the full-time contract list last year when Kiera Austin suffered a season-ending knee injury, Matisse Letherbarrow saw little court time as Sophie Dwyer stood tall to lead the Giants to the grand final.
But coach Julie Fitzgerald has unearthed another outstanding NSW junior and gave her a chance on Saturday with inspirational leader Harten forced to the bench with an illness.
Collingwood Magpies
GABBY SINCLAIR
With Jamaican import Shimona Nelson and Diamonds squad member Sophie Garbin their starting goalers, the Magpies have a strong and versatile pair in the circle.
But Gabby Sinclair adds another dimension, with her speed and footwork a seamless addition to speedy midcourters Kelsey Browne and Molly Jovic, while she has a reliable shot and circle feed.
Adelaide Thunderbirds
TAYLA WILLIAMS
With Maisie Nankivell missing Sunday’s match under Covid protocols, Tayla Williams took advantage of a rare opportunity to start the match against the Swifts and was outstanding.
Playing at centre, the 22-year-old took several intercepts and continued to trouble the Swifts and show coach Tania Obst she can do the job for her team.
NSW Swifts
SOPHIE FAWNS
Sam Wallace’s season-ending knee injury brought teen tyro Sophie Fawns on to the full-time contract list and she’s making the most of her chances when she comes on to the court.
Kelly Singleton, another young gun who signed during the off-season generally starts for the Swifts but it’s been Fawns’ developing combination with Helen Housby that’s paying off for the club, with the youngster showing no fear against some of the best defenders in the world.
Sunshine Coast Lightning
KATE WALSH
Kate Walsh is not exactly a bench player, having made so much of her opportunities this season that coach Kylee Byrne is backing her to start against the best shooters in the world.
With the Lightning having recruited Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney in the off-season, Walsh may have expected to spend more time on the bench but the ultimate competitor has made it hard to leave her out.
LIKES
Happy Hazel a player favourite
She’s the four-year-old who stole the hearts of every player in the country and started a tug of war between two Super Netball clubs.
A picture of Hazel Flinn playing her first game of netball in red sparkly heels lit up social media last week, being shared hundreds of times as the eager youngster in an oversized dress became the sport’s newest hero.
An immediate favourite with all in the sport, Hazel — who played a Net Set Go scratch match for the Rock-Yerong Creek Football Netball Club — caught the eye of many in the sport with an ensemble that included spotty tights, her “click clack” shoes, oversized dress and upside-down bib.
Among them were Super Netball clubs the NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens, who have both approached the youngster, who will receive a coaching clinic from Vixens co-captain Kate Moloney and run the ball out in the Swifts’ final round match.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present the greatest netball photo of all time 😂 pic.twitter.com/oZG7GiU1of
— Alexia Mitchell (@lexilegs99) May 9, 2022
In the signing coup of the season, we're delighted to announce that Hazel will be the official ball deliverer for our Round 14 clash with @FirebirdsQld ðŸ‘
— NSW Swifts (@NSWSwifts) May 13, 2022
Can't wait to see her steal the show! 😠https://t.co/zl9IPM6xFo
When you’ve got netty at 9 and a fashion show at 10 👠👗 https://t.co/bnWhxLMMVv
— Melbourne Vixens (@MelbourneVixens) May 9, 2022
DISLIKES
End of an era for Lightning
A remarkable record has come to an end, with the Sunshine Coast Lightning to miss the Super Netball finals this season for the first time in the competition’s history. matches.
Even if they can manage that — an all but impossible ask given they will have to beat the Vixens, Firebirds, Giants and Magpies — in their remaining matches, their defensive record will count against them.
With goal percentage the tie-breaker for teams finishing with the same win-loss record, the Lightning are at a distinct disadvantage having conceded a Super Netball record score of 82 on three separate occasions this season.
Without captain Karla Pretorius (maternity leave) this season, the Lightning defence was always going to take time to gel.
And while it has improved markedly — they pushed the competition-leading Fever on Saturday — it hasn’t come in time to protect their remarkable Super Netball record.
What’s important now for the Lightning is how deep they can dig for pride.
With the competition ladder to tight, there’s little room between missing the finals by a spot and claiming the wooden spoon.
That’s a record they don’t want.
Player of the round
SARAH KLAU
It’s been a tough season for the NSW Swifts but they’re showing they are not willing to relinquish their title without a fight. Diamonds squad member Klau starred in Sunday’s win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds which lifted them to fifth place on the ladder, level on competition points with the third-placed Queensland Firebirds.
The victory was spearheaded by a star performance from Klau, who finished with nine gains, including seven intercepts in a showing that is likely to have sealed her place in the Diamonds team for the Commonwealth Games if there was a sliver of doubt remaining.
Lightning v Fever
Jhaniele Fowler (Fever) 3, Courtney Bruce (Fever) 2, Stephanie Wood (Lightning) 1
Giants v Vixens
Liz Watson (Vixens) 3, Jo Weston (Vixens) 2, Letherbarrow (Giants) 1
Magpies v Firebirds
Molly Jovic (Magpies) 3, Shimona Nelson (Magpies) 2, Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Firebirds) 1
Swifts v Thunderbirds
Sarah Klau (Swifts) 3, Tayla Williams (T’birds) 2, LaTanya Wilson (T’birds) 1
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Originally published as Super Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds on how to stop Gretel Bueta
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