BEST GAME
64-59 win v Mystics
Just four weeks after a 20-goal thrashing from the Mystics, the Steel claimed its biggest scalp of the season. The team went down 10-3 early, but began winning ball and clawed back the deficit. It was the first sign the Steel was a genuine contender. Also the only time the Mystics have lost with Grace Nweke this season.
WORST GAME
70-50 loss v Mystics
The second-largest loss in Steel history. George Fisher carried an injury into the game and missed the first quarter. Her team trailed by 10 when she emerged, and while the Steel initially fought back, the Mystics pulled away again in the fourth. Nweke was unstoppable that night, while the Mystics’ defence got its hands on plenty of ball.
BEST PLAYER
George Fisher
Had a few quiet nights, but for the most part was exceptional again. The English goal shoot led the ANZ Premiership with 586 goals, while also leading it with a 93% accuracy. Perhaps her value was best shown when she was missing in that first quarter against the Mystics.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Georgia Heffernan
Had not played at this level in nearly two years, coming off an ACL injury. Showed glimpses of her quality early in the season — such as in the way she took control during the team’s 12-goal comeback against the Central Pulse. Kept getting better as the season went on, though. Perhaps still needs to get more consistent within games, but but was very useful down the stretch.
DEFINING MOMENT
Covid. You cannot get around it. No-one wanted to use it as an excuse and perhaps we are coming from a southern perspective. But the Steel had just found its groove and won four of its six matches — the two losses coming to the Mystics — when the virus swept through the team. The Steel won just two more games from that point. It was not just the after-effects of virtually the entire team being hit at once. It was the fact it came so late. And the team ended up playing nine games in 31 days to close its season — that was something the other teams, which got it earlier, did not have the deal with.
SILVER FERNS HOPES
Shannon Saunders is surely close to a lock for the midcourt. Kate Heffernan will contend for another spot, having another brilliant season, although is up against some tough competition. There are plenty of good defenders around but Kate Burley’s energy and ability to snaffle ball surely caught at least one eye of the selectors. George Fisher would walk into the team — if only she was a Kiwi.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
There is no need to make drastic changes. The result of the season had more to do with circumstance than lack of quality. This remains a very young team and many of its youngest players made big strides this year — think shooters Georgia Heffernan and Saviour Tui, as well as defender Sarahpheinna Woulf. They will all be better next year. Fisher has signalled her desire to return, while the classy starting midcourt trio is worth locking in, as is the starting defensive duo. If a player of quality presents herself, the Steel should go after her. But there is a strong enough nucleus among the existing group to work with for another year.
