ROUND 1 saw the clash between Collingwood Magpies and Sunshine Coast Lightning. We attended this match and took notes on one key player for each side, analysing their game play and impact on the court.

COLLINGWOOD: NAT MEDHURST
By: Taylah Melki

In her first official game for Collingwood, Nat Medhurst proved to be the missing cog in attack the last few seasons for the Magpies. The goal attack was proficient with ball in hand showcasing her talent to not only put the shots up but so too distribute the ball to her shooting partner. She showcased her pure class and experience providing a steady head in the attacking third for a relatively new and inexperienced frontend.

She had a slow start to the game throwing the ball away a few times early in the first quarter but she built into the game and was pivotal player in attack. She was really handy with the ball in hand credit to her excellent placement and clever feeds into the goal circle. Medhurst worked well with goal shooter, Shimona Nelson setting up some good screens and placing the ball to her advantage. She did a wealth of work over the transverse line coming out for the centre pass and then buttering up to receive a pass down the court.

While her work outside the circle was impressive her shooting and work load in the goal circle was just as important. Her beautiful high release and looping shot was on display on the weekend putting up 11 goals. While her total may not have been high she was a real threat and credit to her strong drives along the baseline and turn of speed she dragged her defender with her, allowing for a one on one with Nelson in the circle.

She ran rings around Karla Pretorius who at times seemed unable to keep up with her fancy footwork and sheer knowledge of when and where to place the ball. The Collingwood goaler displayed her impeccable timing to dish off passes moments before her three seconds ran out and was a real play maker throughout the entire game. Medhurst found herself on the bench in the last few minutes of the game after an impressive performance which saw the Magpies win by 14 goals. But her work across the court was second to none running hard and providing continuous leads to create space.

LIGHTNING: PHUMZA MAWENI
By: Sophie Taylor

It was Phumza Maweni‘s first game in the Suncorp Super Netball, and she did not disappoint. With a new look structure for the Sunshine Coast Lightning across the court there was always bound to be some hiccups, but Maweni’s partnership with fellow SPAR Proteas defender, Karla Pretorius was unsurprisingly one of the more settled areas of the court.

Defensively, Maweni and Pretorius made an impact early to deny the Magpies a goal for the first two minutes of the game, setting up a strong buffer for the Magpies feeders as they worked the ball into the circle. With her long arms and balance in goal keeper, Maweni’s lean was impeccable as she worked to disrupt shots on goal, racking up four rebounds – the most for the game – and only eight obstruction penalties to her name.

Maweni also showcased her speed off the circle, winning some great contests and picking up eight gains and three intercepts as she worked to create opportunities through the middle of the court. She was the only player on court for the Sunshine Coast who did not record a turnover throughout the game, proving her cleanliness with the ball in hand, not rattled by the defensive pressure of the Magpies attackers.

Maweni’s new-look, stronger physique held up well against the likes of Shimona Nelson at the post, bodying Nelson into the front position at times to force her to shoot from further out. Despite the loss, Maweni was one of the more consistent and impressive players for the Lightning, putting herself in a position to disrupt play with her aerial ability rivalling that of Nelson as they battled for possession. With more exposure and game time at Suncorp Super Netball level Maweni proved that the Lightning’s defensive prowess could once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2019, with both defenders renowned for their hunt of the ball and willingness to get involved in the contest.