WITH a host of young talent littered throughout the ANZ Premiership competition Draft Central takes a look at one key player each week. After lifting her intensity over the past few rounds the player in focus for this week is Mainland Tactix midcourter, Kimiora Poi. 

Age: 22
Height: 168cm
Position: C/WA

Already a well known name in the ANZ Premiership for her pressure play and drive down the court, Poi is a tough nut to crack with an ability to continuously use her explosive speed to change the game. While not the most offensive heavy centre in attack, Poi uses it to her advantage and is able to detract attention and still ply her trade out in front where required. With a small build and only 168cm, Poi is a pocket rocket with stellar footwork to expose defensive holes thanks to her innate ability to not only exploit the free space but also weasel her way into space to create a timely deflection.

A real playmaker down the court, Poi and her speed are rarely far from the action. Her quick thinking and hands to match allow her to be a threatening key cog, removing herself from congestion and readying herself for the loose ball at all times. She is able to spot a pickup from a mile off, or open the space for a teammate to take it instead thanks to clever vision down the court, always a couple passes ahead. 

Poi is a crucial link-up between defence and attack for the Tactix, working in tandem with the likes of Jane Watson and Charlotte Elley defensively to propel ball back up the court, with the trio working seamlessly alongside Temalisi Fakahokotau to create turnovers. While the Tactix attack unit of Erikana Pedersen and Te Paea Selby-Rickit take on majority of the load up forward, Poi has the endurance to zip around the circle to plant herself on the edge or adjust for Pedersen to setup. The trio work well in attack with Poi able to spot viable space to reposition and open drives for her fellow attackers.

So far this season Poi has had a couple bumpy patches but has visibly improved on her consistency as the season has gone on, now for the most part able to maintain intensity not just across four quarters but also across back-to-back games. While her penalty count typically rises in the final quarter of close matches, the young gun has improved her cleanliness across games and is averaging three less penalties per match than she did last season (8.2 average compared to 5.2). 

With 20 deflections to her name from nine matches she has certainly asserted herself on the competition this season, while her feed count has also risen given her ability to position on the circle to the advantage of her goalers and move the ball around with ease. An energiser bunny with an ability to not just create space but also drive into it well, Poi continues to improve game-on-game and constantly surprises her opposition with her ability to turn on her heel and deliver a pinpoint pass through congestion. 

Tactix have just the one game this round, taking on Northern Stars on Sunday evening.

Picture credit: Michael Bradley