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.