TWO rounds are down and just one more remains before the final in the 2022 Quad Series in England. The home nation Roses are taking on Australia in the final match, which will also end up the overall Final after both sides won their respective first two matches. The losers in those games, New Zealand and South Africa will face-off in a battle for third after their final group match. In this piece, Rookie Me Central takes a look at some of the top performers.

DEFENDERS

Layla Guscoth (England)

Producing world class back-to-back games, Guscoth has been a standout defender in the 2022 Quad Series thus far. The 29-year-old has recorded the second most deflections (10), and is ranked equal third for intercepts across both games with three. With only two turnovers to her name, Guscoth is right in the mix to be the Player of the Tournament, and will have a huge job on Steph Wood coming up.

Kelly Jury (New Zealand)

The Silver Ferns might have started the Quad Series with back-to-back losses, but Jury has been a phenomenal defender in that time. The 25-year-old has picked up the most deflections (12) and equal third most intercepts (three), whilst only producing one turnover. The star Silver Ferns talent thus far has been reliable as they come.

Phumza Maweni (South Africa)

The South African defender has been a shining light in a couple of big losses, doing her best against quality shooters. She has experience against players in both the Australian and English leagues which has helped, and has picked up four intercepts and five deflections in the process.

Geva Mentor (England)

Returning to the Roses side after a well-deserved break during the Roses Reunited Series, Mentor burst out of the blocks with a standout game against South Africa. Though she had trouble against Maia Wilson in the second game, expect her to bounce back when she tackles Ine-Mari Venter this round.

Eboni Usoro-Brown (England)

Replacing Mentor after the first quarter in the second game and also having an impact in the first match, Usoro-Brown is such a rock in defence. She has deservedly received the accolades of her series, and can work with any of the defenders in the Roses’ defensive goal circle such is her versatility.

Courtney Bruce (Australia)

Leading defenders in rebounds (three), Bruce always comes away with a high penalty count (equal most of 29), but she is able to disrupt her opposition shooter and force misses. She will have a huge job coming up against the Roses shooting division in the third game.

MIDCOURTERS:

Ash Brazill (Australia)

The cross-code star shone in the opening game against New Zealand with a Player of the Match performance, and has more intercepts (five) than any other player. Remarkably she has committed just eight penalties and four turnovers, and has barely missed a beat so far in the series.

Serena Guthrie (England)

England’s captain earned Player of the Match honours in the second game with the Roses’ tight win over the Silver Ferns. Starting in centre and rotating to wing defence, Guthrie’s work rate and tenacity is evident. She has picked up four intercepts and five deflections, but also been able to provide 11 goals assists and only four turnovers in her matches.

Natalie Metcalf (England)

New name, same quality. Metcalf has started the Quad Series where she left off in the Roses Reunited Series with the most goal assists (33) of any player in the tournament. She has also picked up a deflection and an incept whilst conceding just five penalties and eight turnovers.

Paige Hadley (Australia)

Had big shoes to fill in centre for the first game, then went into wing attack for the second, and has produced back-to-back outstanding efforts. She has the equal third most goal assists so far, and has just three turnovers and nine penalties, really stepping up when required for the Diamonds.

Gina Crampton (New Zealand)

The Silver Ferns wing attack has provided more goal assists than any other New Zealand player with 25, and has only committed four turnovers in the process. She was important in feeding the ball into her shooters throughout both games and is a vital link in the chain, stepping up in the second match in particular against Beth Cobden after having her colours lowered against Ash Brazill.

Bongi Msomi (South Africa)

The South African captain is a workhorse in the midcourt, able to cover ground and do everything in her power to try and drag her team across the line. Her team was outplayed in the first game against England, but her move to wing attack sparked something for the Proteas, and she has recorded the second most goal assists of any player with 31.

SHOOTERS:

Gretel Bueta (Australia)

What a sensational return for Bueta, who is taking to the court in a competitive match for the first time since giving birth last year. She has scored 59 goals from 64 attempts, with her accuracy, and ability to roll between the goal shooter and goal attack positions, vital.

Maia Wilson (New Zealand)

Has not let her team down too often when given the chance, and the towering shooter is the most experienced in that goal circle at just 24-years-old. Going up against far more experienced defenders, Wilson has been a target for the Silver Ferns and was powerful in the first quarter against England in particular.

Ine-Mari Venter (South Africa)

Having done all the heavy lifting for South Africa, Venter has scored more goals than any other player with 68, and had more attempts as well (75). Though predictably an under the post shooter, she has been able to keep the score ticking over for the Proteas despite the losses.

George Fisher (England)

She needed a good tournament to really try and stamp her papers for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and she has started strongly. Earning the starting spot against South Africa, she has shot 62 goals from 68 attempts, and also provided eight goal assists too.

Helen Housby (England)

An outstanding leader in the goal circle, Housby has shared the ball around, shooting goals off 43 of her 44 attempts, whilst providing 21 goal assists. Recording a rebound and two deflections in the process, Housby has been a composed player in the Roses goal circle regardless of whether it was Fisher or Eleanor Cardwell in there.

Steph Wood (Australia)

A crucial player for the Diamonds, Wood might be smaller than many of her opponents, but she has incredible court IQ that allows her to read the ball and then set up her teammates. She can shoot from any range, and has scored 29 goals from 33 attempts, whilst providing 26 goal assists the most of any permanent goal attack.