ROUND 7 of the ANZ Premiership is done and dusted and with that came some scintillating performances from the next generation of players. This series will cast an eye over a host of under 21s players that made their way out on court and the impact in which they had for their respective sides.

Northern Mystics:

Grace Nweke

It was a shaky performance by Nweke with the goal shooter rattled early and unable to work her way back into the contest. Although she still had a relatively strong performance out on court thanks to her 52 goals her percentage was down on her lofty standards converting at 85 per cent. The goal shooter struggled to find room along the baseline and was really congested inside the circle. She also racked up a couple of uncharacteristic turnovers off the back of some sloppy hands, dropping ball over the sideline but that was often due to ill placement or too much heat on the pass. While there were a couple of errors here and there the goal shooter was still a force to be reckoned with utilising her aerial capacity to her fullest ability. She was a sure shot in the air to rip the ball in and keep the defenders at bay while her footwork was also paramount once again. Nweke was never truly out of the contest, employing some strong hands over pressure when necessary in hope to win ball back.

Central Pulse:

Maddy Gordon

The zippy midcourter was quiet in the first half before being switched into the centre. Playing first and second quarters out in wing defence Gordon took a while to work into the game and gave away a couple of costly penalties, but once she adjusted and settled into the game she found her stride contesting cleanly around circle edge to disrupt the play. Her speed off the mark enabled her to cover the drive of her opponent and put doubt into their mind. The move into centre in the third was the spark the Pulse needed as she set the court alight and connected with Aliyah Dunn and Whitney Souness with ease. Her ball speed and confidence to release the pass into the Dunn was key as Gordon upped the ante in attack to spur her side on and provide a point of difference. With speed to burn, strength on the take and impressive ball placement Gordon found her rhythm to propel the ball forward and did not lose her touch in defence with her three-foot marking.

Southern Steel:

Tiana Metuarau

The goal attack continues to get better each time she steps out on court. Although she might not be the most prolific scorer in the league it is her smarts and overall composure that sets her apart from the rest. Metuarau is still only young but has an incredibly wise head and that was shown in this performance through her willingness to reset the play and send the ball back to the transverse line rather than pushing it into the circle. Her silky movements outside the circle plus her ability to wheel and go when necessary was impressive. Metuarau is a real leader in attack with her spatial awareness and ball placement into comrade George Fisher enabling her side to edge ahead and claim the upper hand. She continued to do a mountain load of work at the centre pass, bursting out and then sprinting down to help out in the second phase and provide another option.

Taneisha Fifita

Fifita was in damaging form with the goal keeper contesting everything and anything that came her way. Renowned for her physical nature, Fifita made full use of this mantle to get in the head of Nweke and despite the height difference used her leap to attack the ball. Not only did Fifita attack the ball but so too the hands of Nweke to cause turnovers aplenty. Fifita was on her A-game, identifying her opponent’s strong holds and using her footwork to get around the body and confuse the space time and time again. She was a real menace with her tenacity and willingness to pounce on anything that fell short or was less than perfect. The goal keeper was not afraid to go out hunting, backing her speed and read of the play to cleanly impact the contest and reel in the intercepts which she did in this outing picking up four for her troubles.

Kate Heffernan

Used to seeing her through the centre, Heffernan got the nod in at wing defence this round. Back to her roots, the youngster plied her trade and was a rock down back, providing a wealth of support to her fellow defenders in Fifita and Te Huinga Selby-Rickit with her three-foot marking. Although she was not front and centre and the stats were not overwhelmingly in her favour it was her capacity to run with Peta Toeava for the entire game that stood out. Heffernan was a real workhorse who continued to back her work up at every contest and use her closing speed to shut down the drives in the attacking third and push Toeava off circle edge. The long arms of Heffernan were also crucial in winning ball back for the Steel as she mounted pressure with her constant ability to block vision into the circle.

Renee Savai’inaea

Swapping with Heffernan, Savai’inaea was strong through the centre and did not stop all game. Her high level of endurance was on full display as she worked hard both ways to impact the play in attack and defence. Savai’inaea impressed with her composure and cleanliness with ball in hand to retain possession and work the ball to circle edge. She complemented the style of Shannon Saunders around circle edge to balance the circle and deliver the ball on a silver platter into the goalers. Her deft touch was crucial in keeping the attacking end humming and the defenders on edge which put the Steel in good stead.

Honourable mentions:

Although Claire O’Brien does not fit the parameters when it comes to being under 21 it was her league debut with the Australian midcourter relishing extra court time. Part of the GIANTS squad last season, she made the move across the ditch and got the nod in at centre this round and did not skip a beat with her strong drives to the top of the circle, defensive capabilities and clever ball movement all coming to the fore.