THERE are a number of under-recognised players in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) competition, and as the 2021 SSN Grand Final looms, it has become clear how critical Sam Poolman has become to the GIANTS lineup despite not being the flashiest player on the court. The goal keeper plays a pivotal role in the backend for the GIANTS, consistently showing up and showing out as she works in overdrive to get into her opposition’s head and niggle away under the post.

>> During the Preliminary Final…

Poolman was an absolute workhorse, deservedly earning the player of the match away credit to her ability to not only shut  down Jhaniele Fowler, but also put the goal shooter off her own game in the Fever’s most important game of the season. While Poolman is occasionally criticised for her hunt on the ball after the goal has already been scored, that is just one of the ways she niggles away at her opponent, and it was clear from the get-go against the Fever that Poolman would be relentless as she hunted the ball early to put doubt in the feeders and deny Fowler the high looping passes she desired.

While Poolman did not necessarily bring anything new to the table during the preliminary clash, her game plan was simple; confuse the space and negate Fowler any clear positioning, which in turn created opportunities for Amy Parmenter and April Brandley up the court. Poolman’s fellow defenders both also stepped up to the occasion and were unstoppable, blocking long passes and forcing errors through the midcourt – which then floated down to allow Poolman to wreak havoc. It was that full-court defence that really got the ball rolling for the GIANTS, as Poolman led from the back for the full 60 minutes to ensure her team was able to continue to apply that same pressure.

What Poolman needs to do in the Grand Final…

Poolman has a tough match-up this week when she takes the court against Sam Wallace, with the NSW Swifts goal shooter a very different player to Fowler. Despite playing a similar role in the goal circle as the primary goal scorer, Wallace is much more mobile and, as such, harder to pin down and block passes into. Wallace is only slightly shorter than Fowler but imposes herself on the contest in a very different way, using her body to dictate the space rather than control it, and utilising her excellent footwork to rotate the circle seamlessly.

For Poolman to get the upper hand in this contest, she will need to be much more aware of Wallace’s positioning in the back space with the goal shooter able to roll out quickly and effectively, and adjust her movement to cater to the direct passes that come into the circle in comparison to the long bombs or high looping passes of the Fever. If Sophie Garbin takes the court in goal shooter, Poolman will be up against a whole new kettle of fish with the Garbin’s footwork impeccable and her ability to edge closer to the post second to none.

Most importantly, Poolman cannot do the job on Wallace alone, with Brandley’s influence needing to be much more significant than just stopping Helen Housby‘s movement outside the circle with the rotation between Housby and Wallace inside the circle critical to the Swifts’ success. The connection between Poolman and Brandley has steadily grown throughout the season with both defenders able to impact on and off the ball, making it a really tight and intriguing battle to come and a repeat of the major semi-final just two weeks ago. Poolman’s four-quarter effort against Fowler went a long way to proving she is capable of controlling Wallace, especially following that dress rehearsal a few weeks back, so it is more a question of whether she can retain that consistency against a side which has had an extended break.

Picture credit: Glenn Hunt/Getty Images