Super Netball 2023: Diamonds spot on line as Donnell Wallam meets world’s best ‘keeper
The clash between Donnell Wallam and Shamera Sterling could determine whether the shooting star becomes a Diamond, as well as the outcome of the match.
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It’s not only the clash that will determine whether the Firebirds have any chance against the competition leaders but could decide whether Donnell Wallam can force her way into the Diamonds squad for the World Cup.
Wallam will go head-to-head with Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling on Saturday night when the Queensland Firebirds attempt to extend the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ finals drought for at least one more week.
Adelaide has not made the national league finals for a decade but just one more win should mathematically guarantee them a place in the four and Sterling will be out to shut down one of the most potent shooters in the league to ensure it happens.
The Jamaican won a points decision over Wallam when the teams met in Round 1 in Brisbane, with the West Australian product restricted to her lowest score of the season - a 36-point haul on 35/42 shooting - as she adjusted to life without Gretel Bueta.
Wallam, had a better return - but at a lower overall shooting percentage - against the Sunshine Coast Lightning the following week but since Round 3, when she exploded with 60 goals at 91 per cent against the Swifts, Wallam has been outstanding.
Fox Netball commentator and former Diamonds defender Bianca Chatfield said she had marvelled at how Wallam had avoided second-year syndrome after her stunning Super Netball debut last season and had continued to thrive despite defenders heading into games specifically targeting her.
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“Last year she was new to all the defenders who played against her and I feel like this year, teams have obviously prepared more for playing and coming up against Donnell and so it has taken a while for her to find her range but she’s the foundation for that team in attack and playing beyond her experience,” Chatfield said.
“When she has had to chop and change and get used to a different goal attack out the front and sometimes a different wing attack as well, she has really stepped into this role of being the leader of the attack end when it is only her second year out on court, so I think that’s been a really impressive part of her game, which you would think will continue to spark the attention of the of the Aussies selectors.
“I think it’s her energy in the way that she really gets her team going.”
That leadership will be tested on Saturday when she comes up against Sterling, who Chatfield said was not only dominant in the air but smart enough to adapt her game should the feeders change their delivery.
“She definitely puts doubt in the feeders’ mind,” Chatfield said.
“Everyone is concerned and everyone would prepare for not putting the ball in the air for Shamera. But she’s a smart operator and really leads that defence end.”
Chatfield said she had been surprised at the just how much of a leader the 27-year-old had grown into at the T-Birds, where she is joint vice-captain with England goaler Eleanor Cardwell.
“Her knowledge, as well as Latanya (Wilson), their knowledge across the game and why they do certain things and how they force the turnover (is amazing).
“They don’t necessarily worry too much about what the opposition is doing. But they’re going to put themselves in spaces that are going to cause doubt for the feeder.
“I found it really fascinating to spend time with them because Matilda Garrett plays the Australian way and to combine with these two very intelligent Jamaicans, it becomes a very unstoppable defence end.”
It would make life difficult for Wallam on Saturday, with the Thunderbirds almost certain to double team her and leave goal attack options Emily Moore and Mia Stower more open to shoot.
The thing in Wallam’s favour though, was her confidence, Chatfield said.
“One asset that a shooter can have that is really tough for any defender to beat, is confidence,” she said.
“By putting up the ball, no matter what is happening - take the shot- miss it or get it in, whatever the result, be able to continue to keep taking the shots.
“Because Wallam can sink it from anywhere, whether it’s Power Five (super shot) time or not … it really is that confident way about her game that is where she can really come over the top.
“As long as she just keeps showing up, keeps putting them up, there’s not much you can do about that.
“They can steal the ball away from her all they like, but when it’s in her hands, if she can get it in, then you really can’t stop that.”
ROUND 9 PREVIEWS (all times AEST)
Adelaide Thunderbirds v Queensland Firebirds
Saturday 13 May, 5pm, Netball SA Stadium, Adelaide
The Fever’s loss last week left the Thunderbirds with sole ownership of the competition lead and they can cement a finals spot for the first time in a decade with a win over the Firebirds on Saturday. Won’t want to be complacent though, with Bec Bulley’s improving team high on confidence and out to cause an upset. Couple of cracking contests here - Donnell Wallam v Shamera Sterling; and rising Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran against new Adelaide hero and star import El Cardwell.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
Umpires:
West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts
Saturday 13 May, 7pm, RAC Arena, Perth
The Fever will be looking to bounce back from last week’s loss - just their second this season - while preventing the Swifts from adding to their four consecutive wins. With towering Jamaican shooters under the post for both teams, the midcourt defence will be fierce as players try to prevent the ball getting into Jhaniele Fowler or Romelda Aiken in what shapes as an absorbing battle.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
Umpires:
Sunshine Coast Lightning v Melbourne Vixens
Sunday 14 May, 2pm UniSC Arena, Sippy Downs
Desperation stakes here for the Lightning who need to win to keep touch with the top four.
Last week’s loss to the Swifts left the Lightning languishing in fifth place two wins outside the four and another defeat on Sunday could put an end to their finals campaign. With Diamonds squad members sprinkled across both squads, the match could have implications for the players’ World Cup hopes as well.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
Umpires:
Collingwood Magpies v Giants Netball
Sunday 14 May, 4pm John Cain Arena, Melbourne
The Super Netball premiership dream will end for one of these teams on Sunday afternoon - practically if not yet mathematically - in a shock result. The Giants and Magpies were touted as contenders this season but both teams have struggled and even the winner will remain a rank outside to claw their way into the four. Pride and Diamonds positions remain on the line though, with plenty to play for.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
Umpires: TBC
PARMY HAS PLENTY TO PROVE AGAINST BRAZILL
Rising star Amy Parmenter has the chance to lay down her case for Diamonds selection on Sunday as she shares the court with incumbent wing defence Ash Brazill.
Brazill is desperate to be a part of the Diamonds’ World Cup campaign in what she has already confirmed will be her final year of elite netball.
The Magpies midcourter was an integral part of Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medal win last year but missed the end-of-year Tests to spend time with her family, allowing Parmenter to make her debut in the gold dress.
Brazill bounced back to win selection for the Quad Series in South Africa earlier this year but Parmenter has used her six-Test cameo against New Zealand and England to springboard into the new season and the 25-year-old Giant has racked up impressive stats over the opening eight rounds of the season.
While Brazill has one less game to her credit after missing the Magpies’ round 7 clash due to illness, Parmenter has dominated several statistical categories, leading the intercept, gain and deflection counts almost three to one.
Brazill has slightly fewer turnovers and intercept passes thrown and more pick-ups.
But wing defence is a notoriously hard position to measure statistically.
Parmenter has almost three times as many deflections as Brazill but most have not resulted in a gain for her team. Is Brazill tagging her opponent so effectively that she’s preventing the ball being passed in the first place, rather than having to get a late hand to it, or is Parmenter fooling opponents into thinking there is space to pass before pouncing on the ball?
The answer is a little of both. More than almost any other position on the court, wing defence is an effort spot, where one percenters can make or break the game.
Brazill and Parmenter won’t be going head-to-head at John Cain Arena on Sunday but there’s no doubt Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich and her selectors will be watching carefully.
Both team’s goal attacks will be desperate to put their best foot forward as well, with Sophie Garbin (Magpies) and Sophie Dwyer (Giants) fighting for a shooting spot and Garbin attempting to overcome the yips that have affected her in recent weeks.
Selection will be far from front of mind for any of the players though, with the Magpies’ and Giants’ seasons on life support after they managed just two wins through the opening eight rounds.
It’s almost certain to be season over for the loser, with one of last season’s finalists officially knocked out of the four.
PATHFINDERS: CLUB SHOULD BE PROUD OF T-BIRDS MILESTONES
Adelaide players Georgie Horjus and Maisie Nankivell will play their 50th Super Netball matches when the Thunderbirds take on the Queensland Firebirds at Netball SA Stadium on Saturday.
Nothing particularly strange about that - although it’s a great milestone for both players - but it is another sign that the T-Birds are building for long-term success.
Adelaide’s competition-leading team may seem to have bolted into Super Netball title contention overnight on the back of Jamaican defenders Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson, as well as this year’s best buy, England shooter Eleanor Cardwell.
But the club backed coach Tania Obst’s plan to invest in local talent and it’s starting to pay off.
Midcourt ace Horjus, a Kangaroo Island local, Mount Gambier’s Nankivell, captain Hannah Petty, Tayla Williams and Lucy Austin are all born and bred South Australians who can carry the T-Birds to a generation of success.
It’s a great play from a club that dropped the ball on its own talent at the inception of Super Netball and had to watch on as Adelaide-born trio Maddy Proud, Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau helped the NSW Swifts to a pair of titles in the first five years of the new competition.
Super Netball should aim to be the best competition in the world.
But it must not lose sight of the importance of providing a pathway for local players.
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