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A look back on 2024 Fast5 Netball from last weekend and a huge year from Silver Ferns and Netball New Zealand going into 2025

by Sports Benches

International Netball may be over for now in 2024 but at least we witnessed such a stunning and a bit controversial Fast5 Netball tournament from Christchurch last weekend with the Aussies being crowned champions yet again.

Yes, we had another Trans-Tasman rivalry this time at when both sides advanced into the Cup final beforehand knowing NZ have already beaten Australia several times recently when it comes to the standard version of the game in the Constellation Cup.

NZ were off to good start particularly for most of the first half ahead of the break by nine goals (14-23), but then they’ve lost their way unfortunately whilst leading in the latter stages that allowed Australia to play catch up before they stole the show towards the end by a close four goal gap (34-30) at full-time.

You just never know what could happen in this fast-paced netball format, especially when making the most out of these powerplay features just within that circle line every time it’s active minutes before the end of each quarter – congratulations to the Aussies with the Fast5 championship win for yet another year in 2024.

For now, I guess there won’t be January netball with the Nations Cup over in England. The hosts decided to do things differently right now with a four-match series against Jamaica starting this weekend where the first two games will be at home and the last two being away to the Caribbean much like our Constellation Cup Series with the Diamonds and Silver Ferns. 

Although there might still be a possibility of Ferns going to play in Fiji instead alongside the Diamonds, we’ll have to wait and see for that one. For now, it’s been a big year for NZ Netball in 2024 from the Northern Mystics retaining their ANZ Premiership title over their one-goal grand final win v Central Pulse to losing 2-1 v England and now recently won the Trans-Tasman battle including a historic Game 3 away win v Diamonds to reclaim the series trophy. 

2025 will be much different though when the Ferns won’t be able to use the services of their star goal shooter Grace Nweke who is now in Sydney to test herself in Super Netball for the NSW Swifts. Let’s hope this will last for at least one season if not two ahead of the 2027 World Cup & who knows if NZ will get their way into Aussie shores at some point once again when it comes to their Trans-Tasman opportunities at Domestic level. 

I’d personally like to see a bit more exposure for foreign players coming there (i.e. 2-3 players than 1) that will help improve the current and future Ferns players just like the Aussies have done to them recently by coming over for more game time. But again, we still don’t know what the long-term framework will look like for Netball NZ including their next TV deal from 2026.

And last but not least, it’s been also good looking at Netball once again after being in and out over the past few years – can’t wait to watch this all over again in 2025.

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2024 Constellation Cup Netball Game 4: Aussie Diamonds finish off on a high in Melbourne 63-50 as Silver Ferns still get to collect the series trophy back home in NZ

by Sports Benches

The 2024 Constellation Cup series has just ended for another year at John Cain Arena in Melbourne with the Aussie Diamonds capping off a much better performance this time on a high note by 13 goals at home (63-50), but still a largely underwhelming run though as the Silver Ferns officially took home the series trophy back where it belongs in New Zealand for least the next 12 months with three straight wins (two at home in New Zealand) to one including that monumental 43-61 win the other day away (RAC Arena) in Perth.

It was a close 15 mins from the beginning by both teams with Ferns able to lead out a few times by a couple of goals. However, it was the Diamonds who began to turn the tide with a six goal lead (32-26) ahead of half-time while they kept their winning lead intact throughout the 2nd half. Yes, Ferns tried to play catch up that fast in the last 15 but Diamonds didn’t panic though by keeping their lead intact once more & never looked back since then – that’s all.

Great to see Courtney Bruce smiling with confidence, especially when her Diamonds team were winning while being the (goal) keeper of this back three. She’s been so good at nailing down by ripping the ball away off a different side of the Silver Ferns attack thanks to her brilliant running talent, even when Grace Nweke was there off the bench while the game went on who will be playing here more often for the NSW Swifts next year. Maybe she should be in the 100m dash (Athletics) but glad to hear that Bruce still has lots to offer though after all where playing v the world’s best will help her personally as a professional athlete & sure she’ll want to keep on going into 2025 beginning with the West Coast Fever in Super Netball.

Next up is fan favourite for the Melbourne Vixens is Kate Moloney who has been bossing the mid-court throughout the full hour tonight. She credits her Diamonds back three especially with Jamie-Lee Price being much better at Wing Defense, so she can do damage to link up her attackers towards the other end. They just keep on coming with goals under her watch as what could’ve happened if she did start from Game 1 of this series instead of Price or even Paige Hadley much like Sophie Dwyer for the Goal Attack role, although there’s still huge competition there off the back of Kiera Austin’s return to form tonight. For now, she’s flying high this year in a finalist Vixens outfit as more to come for 2025.

And Kate Heffernan rounds out the Top 3 once again. Yes, might not have heard much from her earlier on when the Silver Ferns would like to try out something different with their squad, having won the series already. But she is someone who always put on her A-game and she continues to do so consistently with a mix of good passes as well as marking/deflecting balls from up high. Also, there may be some complaints about Kate not being good at Centre where she done that before for the Southern Steel and she wasn’t that bad, particularly when trying to play catch up in the last 15. But surely if the Steel wants to be Top 3 again, then the safe option is for Kate to be at Wing Defense than at C. For now, she’s had an outstanding Trans-Tasman series – more to come from Kate Heffernan alongside her twin Georgia (in goal attack) for 2025.

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2024 Constellation Cup Netball Game 3: Silver Ferns has finally done it away from home with not just the huge win but also the series trophy at Perth’s RAC Arena

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, the Silver Ferns just won their third straight game in the 2024 Constellation Cup series v the Diamonds by a whopping 18 goals (43-61). Now they can take this Trans-Trophy back into New Zealand territory with nothing to lose going into the fourth & final match at John Cain Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday,

It was a close one between both teams from the start when the Diamonds were usually dominant likewise on home turf alongside the Ferns on their own home front like we saw over the last seven days. However it’s the Ferns who got away on the winning front this time in Australia from a two-goal buffet at half-time (26-28) to a massive full-time win while the Diamonds just couldn’t find a way to arrest them and shut the Ferns’ defense down in its tracks.

This is the second time Dame Nolene Taurua has done it as head coach since 2021 when that edition’s Constellation Cup series were all played in New Zealand due to COVID at the time. Before that, the Silver Ferns only won the won once a long time ago (2012) in between the Diamonds’ long-running dominance since its inception back in 2010.

Gotta say she used Game 3 of the Taini Jamison Trophy as a practice game when they’ve lost that series already to England with the win, and her starting 7 never stopped working hard since then only while winning & still winning not once, twice but three times in a row now. Great to see Noelene and her players celebrate with joy post-game on a moment they will never forget – mark that down on the NZ netball & also NZ sporting history books.

Let’s start by Southern Steel’s Kate Heffernan with no introduction following her outstanding Constellation Cup performance once again including Game 3 tonight for the Ferns at Wing Defense. Speaking of defense, the credit is there from her Ferns back two in Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger who has that high jump with these intercepts, deflection & high ball catches – must’ve been a great cricketer back then. Plus, she also worked well together with her Netty Notes business partner & international team-mate Maddy Gordon through the mid-court that got the best out of the Ferns’ starring goal scorers Ameliaranne Ekenasio & Grace Nweke up front — particularly when the Diamonds weren’t that good at the back & they scored well each time with both hands. Mind you she also deserves to take out the player of the series as well with Kate always on top at her A-game through each and every match at all levels, more to come both club and country going into 2025!!

Then there’s her new Southern Steel team-mate Kimiora Poi at the other wing attacking end of the Ferns court. As said, the poor Diamonds’ defense and their goal scoring struggles allowed Gordon and Heffernan to link up with Poi on what has been a dangerous Ferns mid-court where Ekenasio and Nweke just never stopped scoring – that’s all. She had a really good last few years from when she played a bit of Australian netball with the then Collingwood team to making a name for herself with the Mainland Tactix where her side only lost the Elimination Final this year & now there’s still unfinished business ahead, and that will be helping her new club go back into winning ways for the Steel with Steel legend Wendy Frew onboard as the new coach.

And GWS Giants goal attacker Sophie Dwyer did the best she can for the Diamonds tonight this time starting in Perth, having shot most of the goals like he did all along in this Constellation Cup series. She should’ve been starting there no doubt instead of Kiera Austin from Game 1 as can’t guarantee any success based on just picking the Diamonds’ best front two from one particular top club which is the Melbourne Vixens. But then there’s deeper issues than that like her team’s really poor selections particularly at the back & even their mid-court that made it even worse sadly. That’s all I can say as they need to know what the Diamonds are really doing and if their starting 7 does well v Ferns, then stick to it while they can with the lead.

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2024 Constellation Cup Game 2: Silver Ferns still unbeaten on the home front with a 11 goal win over the Diamonds in Auckland

by Sports Benches

Another home game, another home win by the Silver Ferns in Game 2 of the 2024 Constellation Cup series at Spark Arena in Auckland. Not only they continued to fire off well but they also extended their winning share as the game goes on with a 10 goal lead at half-time (33-23) followed by a 11 goal win (63-52). Now the Ferns will be going Down Under this weekend with a 2-0 advantage with two to go as the 2024 Constellation Cup trophy is still up for grabs as we’re at the halfway mark now.

All they have to do now is at least win one of the next two matches or shock them away from home if the series decider does end up at extra time. For the Diamonds, they were really not on the same page for the most other than the 3rd quarter when the Ferns slowed down a bit through a ring of changes. Again, winning the last two would help considering their also strong home front but a deciding win though would be enough when they have lost one match last month in Game 2/3 v England. 

The Top 2 Ferns players you’re looking at right now is their front two strikeforce of Grace Nweke and Ameliaranne Ekenasio following their unbelievable performance tonight where they just kept on adding and adding more goals while barely having to miss a few along the way. You can’t just can’t get enough of Ekenasio’s basketball- like shots with Nweke’s high flying catches & close range shots as if she’s competing in Biathlon. Not only it was more than good enough to help extend the Ferns lead but it also safeguarded that Game 2 win also on home soil – all eyes on the Ferns to try & knick at least one more win within the next seven days away from home in Australia. If they can do that, Constellation Cup is theirs to take home.

For now, it’s been a joy watching this duo thrive with confidence off the back of the Ferns good start from their mid-court players. It won’t be the same though going into next year when Nweke will ply her trade for the NSW Swifts in Super Netball as she needs more A-Games from them regardless of the result that will benefit her game as one of the world’s best shooters in her time – very important when getting tested at the highest level jn Australia in every round.

And also NSW Swifts star Paige Hadley did the best she could to push her Diamonds team over the line who is very experienced & can play all of the mid-court positions including the one at wing attack tonight. She’s been great slowing down that dangerous Ferns back three with a good eye to cross-pass from long range, particularly when they won the 3rd quarter alone with Giants player Sophie Dwyer being the star show at reserve goal attack – maybe Dwyer should be starting next time instead of her former Giants team-mate and now Melbourne Vixens player Kiera Austin for a try.

But again when it comes to another poor result, it’s just the players around her were simply too isolated in areas like up front as well as in defense. It would also be even better if Hadley plays Centre with Liz Watson back to start at Wing Attack, but then it’s up to them to match that high standard v Ferns as they don’t know what they’re doing. Diamonds better get their selections & tactics right if they do want to bounce back in the hope of retaining the Constellation Cup, especially when going into the last two matches on home soil beginning this Sunday in Perth & also next Wednesday to finish off in Melbourne.

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2024 Constellation Cup Game 1: Silver Ferns too good to begin the four-game series by 14 goals over the Aussie Diamonds in Wellington

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, the Silver Ferns are on a roll to kickstart the 2024 Constellation Cup Series with a win on home soil at TSB Arena in Wellington. Not only the Ferns got away with a tight first quarter but they too were so dominant in the 2nd 15 going into half-time by nine goals over the Aussie Diamonds at half-time (34-25). 

Yes, the Diamonds did play catch-up having won the third quarter alone as they were only seven goals behind (47-40) at three quarter time. But at the end of the day, it was barely even enough to steer the ship for the Diamonds as the Ferns kept on extending their lead thanks to a formula that was simply just fine like it was in the dead rubber 3rd Test win v England. 

Although Head Coach Dame Noelene Taurua was happy enough to make these late changes off the bench when she had nothing left to lose as the clock ticks down. She couldn’t be more prouder than that to see her Ferns side win by a comfortable 14-goal win (60-54) with 1-0 up in the series as there’s three more games to go in this Trans-Tasman contest.

First things first, let’s start with Kate Heffernan who was brought back into the Silver Ferns starting line up tonight at Wing Defense. Not only she was outstanding mainly in defense but also restarted well in attack every time she has the ball. That’s all you need to know about Kate as this has been her best game tonight and also coming from her best position too, especially when you got her new Steel (and also current Ferns) team-mate Kimiora Poi coming over next season – another plus too for Southland. Yes, we wished Kate would put in the exact same shift when the Ferns recently played v England. But class is permanent & she wants to keep on going until Kate is happy what she wants such as the series trophy.

Next up is Maddy Gordon in the middle of the Ferns engine as she never disappoints every time on-court like imagine if she gets to play Super Netball but still allowed to play for her country? She would’ve helped them retain the Taini Jamison Trophy. But still long way to go though at present with the Constellation Cup & what Maddy wants to do now is keep that good form up for Game 2 on Wednesday (Auckland) before all in & hope she can help bring home that Trans-Tasman series trophy. For now, she worked really well like the read/communication that got the best out of the Ferns front two in Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Goal Attack) & Grace Nweke (Goal Shooter) – even from long range like a rocket as seen with the Central Pulse.

And Sarah Klau did the best she can in a Diamonds shirt when she came on for Jo Weston at goal defense. She’s so important when needed in both crucial defensive positions as seen with the NSW Swifts, having denied the Ferns some attacking opportunities along the way while winning that 3rd quarter win alone. If she started this match then that might have added some more confidence considering she’s has a plethora of experience in a championship-winning side before. It’s a shame that the Diamonds attack looked bereft unfortunately tonight, particularly with their mid-court & front two. Still more time to turn things around as they’re not panicking just yet with three games to go.

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2024 Taini Jamison Trophy: Silver Ferns bounce back even they kept their starting 7 throughout the full hour with the late win

by Sports Benches

The Silver Ferns may not have come here tonight for the Taini Jamison Trophy since the series has already been decided the other day to the England Roses. However, they have at least something to offer ahead of the upcoming four-game Constellation Cup series later month following their five goal win in Invercargill by 61-56. They’ve won most quarters other than the 3rd with the four-goal lead from half-time where the Ferns still struggled at times such as ball retention, etc. 

Also, coach Dame Noeline Taurua may not had made any changes – despite leading by a few goals when she could’ve just make 1-2 late fresh faces as if it was a practice game ahead of the Trans-Tasman series. But again, a win is a win after all to finish things off on a high.

The Constellation Cup will begin two weeks from now on Sunday 20th October in Wellington followed by Auckland for Game 2 a few days later on Wednesday 23rd October. Then they will fly out to Australia to compete another two games there also Sunday 27th October in Perth and Wednesday 30th October in Melbourne to finish off the 2024 season.

Kelly Jackson, take a bow!! as She has been the Great Wall keeper of the Silver Ferns defensive back three after an outstanding performance tonight to shut down the England Roses pair of Helen Housby and Liv Tchine. She never disappoints every time she stars on-court at all levels including the highest Internationally. Also, she’s got her Central Pulse team-mate Parris Mason by her side including Maddy Gordon, who fortunately didn’t get hauled off this time at Centre which was good to see. No doubt we will see more of this trio later this month when they will take on the Aussie Diamonds.

Next up is the Silver Ferns Captain and veteran goal attack specalist Ameliaranne Ekenasio, having barely looked out of place as always alongside sharp shooter Grace Nweke in the Ferns attacking front two. She got away with 13 out of 14 shots at a total of 93% where she credits a functional mid-court pack that got the best out of her and Grace. They were able to help the Ferns win most of the quarters other than the 3rd part, which still needs some work as it’s something the Ferns need to work next time when they will take on the Aussie Diamonds. But other than that, a win is a win after all – despite not able to retain the Taini Jamison Trophy.

And last but not least, Liv Tchine’s stock is rising as England’s mainstay goal shooter at 22 years of age. She’s been making waves before at Domestic level with London Pulse in the Netball Superleague & Liv does not disappoint at all in the England Roses thanks to the likes of NSW Swifts star Helen Housby & another youngster Lois Pearson around her. Yes, Game 3 may have been a dead rubber when their back and mid-court areas might not have quite gelled as they would’ve like – especially when the Roses were chopping and changing with their bench while seeing a couple of new players getting tested here. But at least Liv knows where the net is and she’s loves doing this for fun as congratulations with the series win & sure we’ll hear more from her next time including Super Netball in Australia if she wants to test herself at the highest of levels at some point.

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Netball: England Roses too good over the Ferns in Game 2 by four goals that was enough to clinch the Taini Jaimson Trophy Series with one game to spare this Sunday

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, England have not only won Game 2 but also the Taini Jamison Trophy series at Te Rauparaha Arena with one game left going into this Sunday in Invercargill. Silver Ferns as we know it were always effective with their good starts having won the first quarter alone (16-13) followed by the first half (28-27). Then England began to flip the script when they were leading by a good gap of 4-8 goals, Although the Ferns did the best they can that late to stop the trophy from leaving its own shores. But at the end of the day, too good from England who were very certain to win this game once again by four goals (55-59) on top of a nail-biter Game 1 the other day (58-59). 

How can you not ignore Lois Pearson when she was an excellent support player to the England Roses front two tonight at Wing Attack? She’s got all sorts of running athleticism and the range of passing needed to help find her shooters in Helen Housby and Liv Tchine as well as being sound in defense thanks to the Ferns huge weakness through the mid-court. It turns out the Roses were leading so comfortably by a few goals while the game goes on, particularly throughout the 2nd half and yet Lois couldn’t go any wrong off the back of her excellent season both Domestic & Internationally. Keep a good eye on her over the next coming years as she will keep on getting better with age as being part of a winning series is a great first step & who knows if she’ll be willing to play in Australia’s Super Netball later on.

Here’s another England Roses player that also made a huge difference to stay well ahead of the Silver Ferns and it’s Beth Cobden who came on as reserve at Wing Defense. She brings a wealth of experience to the national setup, having kept a great eye on the Ferns mid-court area & Beth helped taken advantage of their errors with great hands. Goes to show she’s always needed when she’s ready even when Beth is also good with leadership around such a young and talented squad. Looks like she isn’t done just yet so she can make sure the Roses can be on top every time, next time – just like that series win tonight in Game No.2.

And Maddy Gordon was the one the Silver Ferns have been so desperate to stop the Roses in their tracks through the middle at centre thanks to the Ferns’ fast start and late comeback bid. Okay, as we all know, she was injured earlier this season and had to be on managed minutes on her way back on-court. But that doesn’t mean this can apply the same at International level and what happened without Maddy is that the Ferns weren’t simply dynamic as the Roses beyond the back defensive three & unfortunately, they left it too late when it comes to poor selection + chopping & changing tactics. They will have to wait next year to get that Taini Jamison Trophy back but they have to use Game 3 now as a practice match for the Constellation Cup v the Aussie Diamonds later this month.

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International Netball: England Roses win by one goal over the Silver Ferns to begin the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy Series in Auckland

by Sports Benches

Nearly two months after the 2024 ANZ Premiership Grand Final, NZ Netball is back this time to begin their International season on home soil starting with the three-match Taini Jamison Trophy series v England Roses. It’s been a big arm wrestle between those two top-notch teams with the Ferns winning that first quarter while England were right next to them as both teams shared the scoreboard at half-time by 29-29. Later on, the Ferns’ starts/restarts never looked out of place but then England began to stretch a couple of goal leads going into the final 15 minutes. It was either Ferns or Roses to settle the score and it was the England Roses who won by just one goal (58-59) in Auckland. England lead the three-match series 1-0 going into Game 2 on Wednesday at Te Rauparaha Arena in Poirua which is the alternate current home of the Central Pulse.

Funmi Fadoju is the woman of the hour at goal defense for the England Roses, having done a spectacular job bombing up an inconsistent Silver Ferns front two attack. Who needs height when she’s got so much defensive quality alongside Fran Williams (she’s right around at 6ft by the way) at goal keeper? She also demonstrated some excellent attacking transition through the mid-court that got the best out of her front two where goals after goals were needed to steer clear off the Ferns. Keep a good eye on her who always keeps on improving like she did to the Diamonds over the past week in the Quad Series with more to come at age 22.

It’s not just Fadoju who is putting in these hard yards, Imogen Allison is another standout England Roses player to look at in the middle (centre position). She got away with 19 goal assists, 38 feeds and 4 general play turnovers that got the best out of her front two duo in Liv Tchine and Helen Housby. She too struck the perfect balance with credit to England’s solid defense while she was able to get around the Ferns backline on the counter-attack & yet her side has been pulling up trees from 2, 3, 4 goal leads to a relieved full-time win. Don’t forget she’s at the right place at 26 as Allison is already Queensland Firebirds bound next season.

And the Silver Ferns starring goal shooter and NSW Swifts bound Grace Nweke had a stunning shooting day after all, who only missed a couple of shots (49 out of 55) while making a couple of rebounds/general play turnovers to keep the Ferns in check. Grace credits the Ferns fast start and restart including the team’s solid defense. Yes, her team were so unlucky towards the end to England by just the one goal as at least a draw will do it. But she definitely needs support in & out of the circle, especially when it comes to the Ferns’s selection/tactics other than a rock-solid defense of their own & unfortunately that really cost them tonight.

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