By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Origin Australian Diamonds are in prime position to retain the Constellation Cup with a win against New Zealand in match two of the series.
The side convincingly winning by nine goals in front of a crowd of 9,177 in a milestone 500th international test match for Australia.
Goal-for-goal early both sides treasured possession to convert. Origin Diamond Paige Hadley hit the court for her 50th international test cap and looked comfortable despite a clash in match one.
Kiera Austin and Cara Koenen’s slick connection picked up where it left off with the duo confidently feeding to each other and working to find free space in the goal circle.
A few unforced turnovers from the Silver Ferns and the Origin Diamonds capitalised picking up the crumbs to establish a lead.
Recognising the momentum was with the Origin Diamonds, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua swapped Jane Watson in for Kelly Jury to put more pressure on the Australian shooting circle. But it was a Courtney Bruce deflection to Jo Weston’s advantage that lit up the Brisbane Entertainment Centre before quarter time with the Origin Diamonds ahead by five at the first break.
The Origin Diamonds won the first quarter taking a five-goal lead.The second quarter was hotly contested with the both sides lifting into another gear.
The Silver Ferns were more settled to start with shooting stalwart Grace Nweke taking the goal shooter bib. Ferns midcourters Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Maddy Gordon started to have an impact noticeably more comfortable feeding to Nweke.
The Ferns defensive end did everything they could to confuse space but the Origin Diamonds continued to find each other remaining calm under pressure to ensure the ball landed safely with Austin and Koenen.
Liz Watson led the charge through the midcourt for the Origin Diamonds feeding the ball into the goal circle time and time again.
The Ferns lifted their intensity and a few errors from the Origin Diamonds allowed them to narrow the margin throughout the quarter down to two goals.
But a couple of offensive contacts against the Ferns enabled the Origin Diamonds to push the margin back out to five heading into halftime.
The Silver Ferns were more dangerous in the second quarter, strengthened by Grace Nweke.The Bruce and Weston combination in the defensive end paired with Hadley and Sunday Aryang shut down the attacking third of the Ferns to begin the second half. The defensive pressure forcing the New Zealand team to work the ball around.
Origin Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich injected Sarah Klau into the game in goal defence and the defender immediately had an impact with Klau making her presence known against Ameliaranne Ekenasio who eventually went to the bench.
Bruce and Klau began to reap the rewards of the defensive pressure winning rebounds and soaring out for gains taking calculated risks to put the Origin Diamonds ahead.
Struggling to disrupt the Australian rhythm the Ferns switched up their line up again bringing on Tiana Metuarau and Phoenix Karaka.
Despite the changes the Origin Diamonds weathered the storm and extended their lead to nine goals by the end of the quarter.
In the final term, Koenen was a standout continuing to shoot at 100 per cent accuracy
Koenen finished the match with 33 goals from 33 attempts.
The Origin Diamonds boxed out the Ferns attackers and put pressure over every pass forcing them to take their time and look back before going forwards. This pressure eventually led the Ferns into making mistakes with Bruce springing into action to make the most of the Ferns’ errors.
The defensive pressure also thrived for the Origin Diamonds in the midcourt with captain Watson claiming an intercept of her own.
As the match wore on the Ferns continued to challenge but the Origin Diamonds were a well-oiled machine claiming their 500th international test match by nine goals.
Fittingly Hadley was named as the Player of the Match in her 50th game in the green and gold.
The contest for the Constellation Cup now heads across the ditch to New Zealand for the final two matches.
