With the exciting news that Nissan Net Points will play a huge role in how we analyse the 2019 Constellation Cup test series, we thought we might have some fun with this revolution in netball stats.
Every game, we will pick the matchup that we think will be the Nissan Game Changing Match-up. This could be a one-v-one battle between two red hot centres, a shootout between two crafty goal attacks, a ball hawking keeper trying to shut down a dominant shooter or an all-out defence vs offence showdown.
Which brings us to game one of this four game series between the two best teams in the sport.
One of the deciding factors in the Netball World Cup gold medal match was New Zealand’s efficiency moving the ball around the court, committing just 15-turnovers against a Diamond’s team that thrives on defensive pressure.
And it’s in the same area of the court we will focus our first Nissan Game Changing Match-up – Australia’s defence led by Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston up against the deadly Silver Ferns shooting circle.
The Turnover Battle
The Diamonds defence is stacked, athletic and ball hungry. And if the Diamonds want to get this series off to a strong start, this group will have to cause some chaos and make life difficult for the usually cool, calm and collected Silver Ferns attack end.
You would expect Bruce and Weston to get the start at goal keeper and defence but don’t be surprised if we see plenty of the defensive pairing that helped lead the NSW Swifts to the Suncorp Super Netball glory in 2019 in Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner.
With interceptions scoring you +10 Nissan Net Points and deflections with and without gain scoring +8 and +4 respectively, expect the Diamonds to rack up some massive Nissan Net Points totals if they can win the turnover battle.
Scoreboard Pressure
With rotating centre passes, few things ratchet the tension up in a game of netball better than converting your centre passes into goals consistently.
This plays a major factor in Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua game plan, which holds patience and good decision making above breakneck speed and highlight reel plays. And the shooting circle she has put together for this series is built to do just that.
Maria Folau is one of the best long-range shooters in the world and her clever movement around the court creates passing lanes for the shooter behind her to work in to. And Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Baily Mes are experts in exploiting that space to create easy shots under the post.
Look for this ultra-efficient and smooth moving shooting circle to rack up Nissan Net Points with goals and feeds leading to goals good for +2 points. Their ability to create easy shots and accurate shooting from all areas of the circle should also help them steer clear of misses and misses resulting in turnovers, which are worth -1 and a whopping -8 Nissan Net Points.
Size Does Matter
One of the biggest ways to swing the momentum in a game, and Nissan Net Points totals against your opponent, is with defensive rebounds.
Picture this, Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman fires the centre pass off to a Gina Crampton who spins on her heel and finds a wide-open Maria Folau just inside the circle. She’s feeling it so decides to take the long-range shot. If she makes the shot, goal New Zealand and +2 Nissan Net Points to Folau.
If she misses and one of the Australian defenders pulls down the rebound, not only is this a huge momentum changer but that means -1 point for the miss, -8 for the miss with turnover and +6 points to the Diamond who got the rebound.
Which brings us to the size of the Diamonds defenders. Klau is the tallest at 190cm followed by Bruce at 189cm and Weston at 188cm, meaning all three out reach the Silver Ferns shooters.
Sure, it’s not by much, but when it comes to two players jumping for a rebound, I’ll back the tallest any day.
