The Bull Sharks Sapphire Series squad continue their impressive development under head coach Rebecca Stower.
After pushing a Thunder side stacked with Super Netball players to the wire in Rd 4, the girls took another step forward by overpowering reigning premiers The Cougars at Nissan Arena on Saturday.
Bull Sharks v Brisbane North Cougars
Sapphire Series:
Bull Sharks won 71-59.
Where it was won:
The girls clinically executed the game plan, and when we allowed the Cougars to get a run on, we committed to refocusing on the tasks that we set in the week leading into the match.
The highlight:
The best moment was the relief on the girls’ faces as the clock headed into the final 60 seconds of the game. With a comfortable 12 goal lead they knew they had the game. With the introduction of the Super Shot, any lead smaller than 15 goals can be chipped away at by the opposition, so they can never be complacent.
What made you happy:
The girls trust the processes that we put in place for them. They have been tracking well in analysis and worked hard through the week to isolate the areas we needed to be better.
Bull Sharks Netball:
We are fiercely competitive, but we do not compromise on playing clean and with sportsmanship. I am so proud of the girls and their ability to adapt to the different situations they are presented with. Our goal is to keep building and to create a versatile line up that is able to tackle every team in the competition.
The work to do:
We go back, we look at our data from the game, analyse our next opponents and develop our training and game plan accordingly. Everything we focus on begins and ends with doing our basics well, with each player accountable to taking care of their own business on court.
Trademark Player:
I have three players this week. Kaylin van Greunen was a scoring machine, and under immense physicality and pressure at times. Dakota Newson had an outstanding game at WA, her connections in the goal third are building beautifully. And Lauren Aubrey, after a tough match up against the Thunder last week, bounced back and had great impact causing disruption in the Cougars’ scoring end with numerous deflections, intercepts and rebounds.
With Bec Stower.
Ruby Series:
Bull Sharks lost 47-35.
Where it was lost:
We lost our focus in the 2nd quarter and that’s when the Cougars pounced and took a 10 goal lead. Unfortunately, this week we also really struggled in our transitions and were unable keep or convert a large amount of our gains.
What made you happy:
Apart from the second quarter, the girls stayed in the game and kept pushing despite the physicality of the contest.
The work to do:
We will go back and analyse the game and address our issues, so we are ready to refocus for Saturday against the Jets.
Trademark Player:
Tehya Hyssett had another impressive game as goal keeper with numerous rebounds, tips and deflections. Tehya also got an opportunity to debut for Sapphires straight after our game.
With Kim Boland.