EACH week Draft Central will analyse player performances from across the round in the ANZ Premiership and determine a “Player of the Week” based on game day performances. A player can be nominated as many times as deemed necessary given their individual performance across the round.

It is hard to go past the efforts of Ameliaranne Ekenasio with the Pulse superstar elevating her game to a whole other level and subsequently earning herself “Player of the Week” honours. With patience and skill to boot, Ekenasio was a key cog for the Pulse across both games in Round 4 well and truly leading from the front and dictating the flow of the game. Her composure with ball in hand was second to none, using her full three seconds to assess all of her options inside the attacking third and reverting to the transverse line when in need.

The goal attack was on song throughout both matches but starred particularly in the contest against the Steel, commanding the ball under the post. Her ability to take the heat off goal shooter Aliyah Dunn is a testament to her shooting prowess and sheer netball smarts. When she sensed the need to grab the game by the scruff of the neck she did exactly that, shooting at a whopping 100 per cent accuracy with 25 goals from 25 attempts. Ekenasio was unfazed by the physicality, riding every bump and most importantly delivering. Her skill to create space in the attacking third and take the hard drive into the goal circle kept the defenders head on a swivel allowing her to take full control in the goal circle.

Up against Te Huinga Selby-Rickit and Taneisha Fifita, Ekenasio had to really think her way through the defensive pressure and double teaming of Dunn to have an influence at the post. With Maddy Gordon relatively well held throughout the game, Ekenasio picked up the slack with the goal attack doing a wealth of work at the centre pass to receive a team high 16 while her second phase work was just as impressive showcasing her impressive stamina.

The heavy workload did not seem to slow Ekenasio down with the goal attack going on a tear in the second game of the round, simply running rings around the Magic defence with her timing, silky ball movement and fancy footwork. Opposed to Holly Fowler, Georgia Tong and Erena Mikaere in the goal circle, Ekenasio was not bothered by their physicality and aerial presence instead backing herself from range and using her dynamic movement to edge closer to the post. Her smarts to lower her eyes and deliver bullet passes to Dunn or cut across the top of the circle allowed her to play with freedom for the Pulse and set them up for the win.

Although her accuracy was down compared to her previous outing- sitting at 88 per cent her output was just as dominant. Ekenasio managed 21 goals from 24 attempts while also amassing seven goal assists and another team high 12 centre pass receives. Her ability to constantly remain in the game and use her deceptive turn of speed to catch defenders off guard makes her impossible to stop, pair that with her impeccable balance and Ekenasio proved why she is such a commanding presence. Connecting well with Claire Kersten through the midcourt Ekenasio found good space both under the post and in the attacking third to create scoring opportunities.

The Silver Ferns captain, showcased her wealth of experience and skill to seamlessly transition into goal shooter, while also adjusting her game to allow the likes of Tiana Metuarau to have an influence in the goal circle. It was a complete performance by Ekenasio who once again starred and rose to the challenge each time.