It all comes down to this. Whoever wins will have to make room for a trophy in their overhead luggage. Would we have expected a Constellation Cup series to go any other way?
It’s been a thrilling series so far with two of the three games decided by just one goal, and the other a see-sawing affair iced late by the dogged Diamonds.
So, before this series comes to its inevitably heart-racing climax in Perth this afternoon, let’s focus in on our Nissan Game Changing Match-up for game four.
And, with one player celebrating her 100th test cap and another pulling on the green and gold for the last time, there’s only one way we could go with this one – the Diamonds attack end vs the Silver Ferns defence.
Stars Align
Both teams have some serious star power in these two areas of the court. The Diamonds with Caitlin Bassett, Gretel Tippett, Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip and the ever-reliable Jane Watson and Karin Burger for the Silver Ferns.
And all six of these players can rack up some massive Nissan Net Points totals when they are firing.
Only Courtney Bruce, thanks to her mammoth 115-point performance in game two, has more Net Points for a defender than Karin Burger, who has been monumental for the Kiwis at goal defence.
And Gretel Tippett’s 108 Nissan Net Points, good for second highest among shooters for the series so far, has come from just ten quarters of netball.
If the Diamonds are any hope of reclaiming the Constellation Cup, someone in this group needs to step up and take game four by the scruff of the neck. Otherwise it’ll be the Silver Ferns taking home the trophy, led by this pair of rugged defenders.
Big Risk. Big Rewards
Since Nissan Net Points began, one thing has become plain to see – the shooting circle is the most volatile area on the court when it comes to scoring.
On the surface, it’s pretty simple. When a player decides to take a shot, a goal scores them two Nissan Net Points and a miss costs them a point. If that miss ends up in the opposition’s hands, that’s going to cost you a whopping eight-points.
Just like in the actual game, deciding to shoot a goal is a high risk, big reward proposition. Shot selection is key.
The Diamonds lead the series in shooting percentage with 91% (New Zealand = 86%), meaning the feeders are giving the shooters the ball in good scoring positions and the shooters are finishing the job.
Can they continue to “finish the job” today in Perth?
Do it for the Caitlin’s
This one has nothing to do with Nissan Net Points, but a preview of today’s match would not be complete without mention of Caitlin Bassett’s 100th test cap and Caitlin Thwaite’s last game as a Diamond.
Make no mistake about it, the girls in green and gold will be up and about for these two massive figures in the sport.
Bassett’s monumental achievement is a testament to just how good an athlete and leader she is for this team. And sending one of the greatest team-players in Australian sports history off with a win would be a fitting end to a brilliant career for Caitlin Thwaites.
Can the Diamonds do it for the Caitlin’s?
