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 gameday performances. A player can be nominated as many times as deemed necessary given their individual performance across the round.

Playing two high intensity games for the round, Mainland Tactix captain Jane Watson showed no sign of fatigue with the goal defence putting on a clinic in defence and taking out “Player of the Week” honours for Round 6. Watson read the play with ease, creating chaos down back with her hands over pressure and silky movement to pick off passes. She was constantly on the lookout for an intercept or a deflection while her work rate was another glaringly obvious element of her game, able to cover the court with ease and contest every single pass.

Up against some tough opposition in Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Watson was composed and most importantly clean throughout the four quarters. Her ability to stay away from the body of Ekenasio and only collect five penalties throughout the game was hugely impressive and a clear testament of her class. Watson was a constant thorn in Ekenasio’s side, shadowing her every movement and forcing her to work for every pass. Ekenasio was down on her usual output and accuracy with 13 goals from 16 attempts with the influence of Watson unquestionable. Watson also displayed her smarts to double down on Aliyah Dunn and limit her influence under the post while she also put in the hard yards against the fresh legs of Tiana Metuarau to make it hard for the Pulse goalers. Watson collected three gains, one intercept and six deflections for her efforts.

Her connection with Temalisi Fakahokotau is simply unstoppable with the two oozing nothing but athleticism and class. Their defensive prowess and understanding is next level able to read the play off each other and get into damaging positions whether it be in the circle or in the defensive circle. Watson’s combination with wing defence Charlotte Elley is also strong with the two able to transition the ball down court with ease. Centre, Kimiora Poi also feeds off the defensive energy of Watson as shown throughout the game on Monday night with the nippy centre thriving off Watson’s energy.

Strong in defence, Watson is integral through the centre third able to bring the ball down with conviction and precision while her back-up work on the transverse line is also imperative to the Tactix attack. Her leadership on court often sparked the Tactix into action with Watson throwing herself at every cross court ball in hope to create an opportunity for her side capitalise on the turnover ball. Although they fell agonisingly short against the top of the table Pulse, her intensity did not fade in the second game, instead kicking it up a notch to blow the Steel’s attack out of the water.

Her strong hands enabled her to reel in passes and force turnovers while her deceptively long arms have proven a challenge time and time again for her opposition. Spending majority of her time out in goal defence, Watson slotted into goal keeper in the second and third quarter of the clash against the Southern Steel and proved to be a menace. Her seamless transition between the two positions is a testament to her high netball IQ and adaptability. She nullified the influence of Kiana Pelasio with the young goal attack not registering a score credit to her lean over the shot and skill to box her out of the circle. Opposed to the likes of experienced Ellen Halpenny and Kalifa McCollin Watson did not let up, applying a wealth of pressure to collect an impressive six gains, two intercepts, four deflections, one rebound and five pickups.