Bleeding players to Suncorp Super Netball, as recently as this week’s call-up of Leesa Mi Mi to the Queensland Firebirds, coach Liz White has welcomed the scheduling of a round six bye on Sunday.
“It is there, they’re capable of it and we have to learn to finish our games now,” White said of last weekend’s three-goal loss to the Jets.
“Which is what happened in the Titans game, and we didn’t close this one out and finish either. We just have to look at what was good. There are some strengths and combinations starting to come through.”
It’s difficult to find a person who despises losing as much as White, nor one who has the coaching nous to so swiftly right the reins of a team slightly awry.
Arguably Queensland netball’s most successful coach will have her side hardened for a post-bye tussle against an improving Brisbane South Wildcats.
“The next step is to be more ruthless,” White said.
“When we hit the front, to keep pushing and close out the game.”
Coming off the back of a six-goal loss to the Titans, the Wildcats are confident heading into Sunday’s round six clash with a winless Bond University Bull Sharks.
Unwell and forced to watch from the comfort of her couch, Wildcats coach Megan Lynch was encouraged by her side’s ability to fight its way back from a ten-goal, first quarter deficit against the Titans.
“I was as happy as you could be for a loss,” Lynch said.
“We’re making leaps and bounds, given that only four of our players have played together before.”
The Wildcats broke an 18-month losing streak in round three, with a three-goal victory over Sunshine Coast Thunder.
“It’s about us, not anyone else, and what we can control,” Lynch said.
“We’ve been working really hard on strength, so that’s been a really big shift this year. Every week we grow in belief and confidence, which makes me think we’re doing the right work.”
Boosted by last weekend’s victory over the Bull Sharks, Thunder’s confidence has returned for a tough Sunday night match-up against the undefeated Titans.
“They’re a bit unknown in some ways, as we are to them,” Thunder coach Simone Nalatu said.
“We’ve got to focus on doing those little things right all the time. When we play well is when we do the little things well, nomatter who we play.”
Another team desperate for victory is the Carina Leagues Club Tigers, who this weekend tackle the ladder-leading Jets.
Jets coach Paula Stuart said regardless of the opposition, they’ll continue to approach the season one game at a time, never getting too far ahead of themselves.
“We’re happy for the win, but by the time we hit Monday we are ready to focus on the next game ahead,” Stuart said.
Nissan Arena will again play host to all three of this Sunday’s round six games, which will start at 6pm.
Admission to the venue is free for HART Sapphire Series spectators.
For a comprehensive draw, and the live HART Sapphire Series ladder, please click HERE.
KOMMUNITY TV
Round 6, May 21
Carina Leagues Club Tigers v TAE Jets
4pm Ruby, 6pm Sapphire
