THE Constellation Cup between Australia and New Zealand saw a number of fresh faces join the fold while a couple of familiar names reacquainted themselves with the squad and impressed across the four matches. This series will look at the young guns that got a chance to ply their trade for their respective nations and put their hand up for more court time for future international series.

Australia:

Kiera Austin

There is no denying that Austin well and truly burst onto the scene from the opening game with GIANTS goaler using her timing and playmaking skills to full effect. Although she struggled with accuracy across the four matches, you could not question her intent constantly buttering up from long range and taking charge in the circle with her strong drives. She complemented the style of Caitlin Bassett and Cara Koenen keeping her respective defender busy by taking advantage of her cuts and drives. She was not afraid to engage in the physical hustle and bustle under the post while also playing a strong feeding role thanks to her quick hands and spatial awareness. Austin was never far from the action and impressed through the midcourt with her defensive efforts to stop the Ferns in their tracks and pick up timely intercepts and deflections. She also showed her versatility to hold her own down in goal shooter and be that primary goaler under the post.

Sophie Garbin

Much like her fellow goalers, Garbin made her international debut this series and while she did not get a wealth of court time, still managed to have an influence out on court. The NSW Swifts product was somewhat out of her depth playing in her non-preferred position of goal attack, and while she shot at a mere 50 per cent, still managed to impact the play. Her overall netball nous to draw the defender and create one on ones for the shooter under the post did not go unnoticed. Garbin was clever with ball in hand, able to dish off passes and use her body to keep the defenders at bay but would have done better with further exposure.

Cara Koenen

With impressive timing along the baseline and strength on the hold, Koenen quickly drew the attention of the Ferns defenders. Earning her debut in the second half of Game 1, the Sunshine Coast Lightning goaler made enough of an impact to secure the start in the remaining three matches. Her ability to put in the hard yards in the goal circle and constantly get on the move was paramount to the Diamonds attacking unit. Not the quickest player out on court, Koenen used her fancy footwork to dance around her opponent and pop out at just the right moment to receive the ball from her feeders. She read the space with relative ease to roll off the back of her defender whether it be Sulu Fitzpatrick or Jane Watson. Koenen oozed nothing but composure and class inside the goal circle, unfazed by the physicality of her opponent and instead backing herself in to work the ball around, go up strongly for the rebound and reel it in.

New Zealand:

Maddy Gordon

Although she did not get a wealth of court time the two-time premiership winning Pulse player was a real lively option through the midcourt. playing just the one quarter, Gordon gave a glimpse of what she can do playing out in wing defence to use her speed to match her opponents and go toe-to-toe with them. Up against the likes of stalwart Australian wing attack, Liz Watson, Gordon had her work cut out for her having to compete every step of the way and using her turn of speed to limit Watson’s drive. Gordon showed her dash and drive to repel the ball down the court and back up on the transverse line but could have been ever more influential with additional court time.

Kimiora Poi

Poi completely changed the course of the game each time she stepped out on court with her dynamic movement and overall tenacity sparking the Ferns side. She was a real energiser bunny zipping across the court and feeding the ball with both pace and precision. Her ability to back herself from anywhere throughout the midcourt and attacking third gave her this edge that the Diamonds struggled to quell. Boasting quick hands and lightning fast footwork, Poi was easily half way down the court in a blink of an eye. Her speed enabled her to break through Australia’s defence and while she played a more attacking game, Poi showcased an ability to also put in the work down back to clog up space. Her overall court coverage was impressive, pair that with her vision into the circle and fast developing connection with Maia Wilson and the zippy midcourter had an international campaign to remember. The energy in which she brought to the side was unmatched and changed the overall dynamic of the team, credit to her speed off the mark and netball smarts to work the ball around.