AS the off-season officially rolls around, Draft Central returns to its Compare the Pair series introduced during 2020, delving into, and analysing, two fan favourites from different competitions. First up we compare and contrast midcourt talents, GIANTS Netball’s Maddie Hay and Central Pulse’s Maddy Gordon. It is hard to split the two players, with many more similarities between the two players than differences, including their rapid rise in the wing attack role and their unassuming nature prior to stepping into the position.

Hay had an incredible season with the GIANTS in 2021, with her development coming thick and fast over the last few seasons as she stepped into the wing attack bib. While initially plodding along and playing the role required of her, this season Hay stepped up and made the role her own as she became a huge offensive threat credit to her excellent connection with Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer. Hay’s ability to use her quick footwork to drive into space and lose her defender was critical, while her defensive nous to switch roles and block the transition back up court saw her defensive capability come to light. A tried and tested ball-winner, Hay was able to also spot the open space to drive into and create that second phase play, becoming one of the most reliable wing attacks in the competition in the process.

While Hay played out of position this season, it was a different story for Gordon who returned to her preferred wing defence position in 2021 despite showcasing her capacity to take on the offensive role last season. Something that sets Gordon apart is her speed and excellent endurance. Factor in her zippy footwork and ability to traverse the court quickly, and Gordon is a huge asset to her side, offering her threatening closing speed in both an attacking and defending context. Able to adjust to her opposition and role at the drop of a hat, Gordon’s read of the play is her greatest asset especially when paired with her versatility, allowing her to anticipate where the ball will be placed and react accordingly. The wing is lightning quick and a non-stop speedster, forging excellent combinations with both the front and back-ends to create a threatening option at both ends.

When it comes to comparing and contrasting Hay and Gordon, it is important to note first the versatility of both players, and second the similarity in the way they came about the respective roles. While both came through the pathways as wing defenders first, both have spent significant time in wing attack throughout their differing and current career paths, and have proved to be significant threats in any position they take the court in given their ability to rotate through all three midcourt positions. Both Hay and Gordon bring an element of defensive pressure to the wing attack role while also injecting their own take on the position, with neither necessarily playing that conventional feeder role but more so a combination of the attacking centre workload, holding strong with just the two thirds to focus on. While they each took some time to warm up to the position, since figuring out how they slot into their respective front-ends they have both become integral playmakers in attack with that extra defensive pressure in their back pocket. With their respective excellent workrates clearly on show on court, both Hay and Gordon have been rewarded with top level selection, with Gordon selected for the 2020-21 New Zealand Silver Ferns squad following her breakout 2020 ANZ Premiership campaign, while Hay earned a call up to the Australian development squad this year.

Picture credit: Brendon Thorne/AAP