Netball: Record score for shooter

Jhaniele Fowler
Jhaniele Fowler
The Steel's thumping 75-56 win against the Tactix will long be remembered for shooter Jhaniele Fowler's staggering individual haul of 65 goals from 70 attempts.

The 1.98m Jamaican has scored 109 goals in two ANZ Championship matches for the Steel, and on Saturday rewrote the record books for the most goals scored in a game by a player.

The previous mark of 58 was held jointly by fellow Jamaicans Romelda Aiken and Carla Borrego. Fowler added seven goals to the record and it could be a long time - if at all - before her effort is bettered.

While her performance defies words, it is worth noting goal attack Jodi Brown (25) and centre Phillipa Finch (18) combined for 43 assists and, along with Courtney Tairi, the trio did a top job getting the ball to the shooter.

The help from team-mates was a factor highlighted by Steel coach Janine Southby.

''It was just outstanding and it is a new tournament record, I hear,'' Southby said.

''But Jhaniele was well-fed, and that is something we definitely worked on this week. I thought Jodi and Courtney did what we needed them to do, which is get the ball close and put it up so it becomes a 100% pass rather than a 50-50.''

Fowler's height is certainly an asset. Brown, in particular, is able to fire passes from just about anywhere and inevitably finds her target.

Once Fowler has the ball, she closes the gap to the goal post with her considerable stride and from there it is just a matter of popping it in.

It looks easy but there will be much tougher defence ahead.

 

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