The ANZ STATE LEAGUE SEASON passes the half way mark of the regular season with back to back match ups across rounds 11 and 12 featuring all eight clubs. The weekend promises to feature top quality games with the top four all meeting each other on both Saturday and Sunday in Hobart.
Whilst the current top four are all in action against each other it is the in-form ST LUKES KARANA FLAMES who perhaps have the most to play for in their meeting against BURNIE TIGERS and OPSM DEVON. After wins against higher placed Cavaliers and Cripps last weekend, Flames who only a week ago looked a long shot of making the top four can be placed as high as second if they as expected win both of their weekend matches. Karana coach Lou Carter has put her side’s mid-season turn around down to a strict adherence to the game plan and a renewed spark in her side.
“Both were exceptionally good wins which can turn our season around. We decided as a team we needed to try and execute, sustain and persevere with the game plan for a whole four quarters. Also get some “spirit, passion and belief” back into the team which we did. The results took care of themselves. “
Although the in-form Karana look likely to secure two victories this weekend Carter is not looking further ahead than the weekend’s games.
“We now need to keep building this weekend and we aren’t concentrating on ‘final four’ concept at the moment. Taking each game as it comes and working on consistency and higher shooting percentage. Burnie are playing a much improved brand of netball this year so we will need to put our best four quarters out on court to ensure a positive result” Carter said.
If Karana are the form side then AYC – FRIENDS LEXUS ARROWS are the dominant side of the ANZ State League with their current unbeaten run currently standing at ten. Arrows however face MYRTLE RIDGE NORTHERN HAWKS and BELLAMY ORGANIC CAVALIERS in what should prove a test to their unbeaten start. Arrows captain Kate Costelloe said her side will need to be at their best this weekend.
“This weekend will be another good test for us. We know from our previous matches against Hawks and Cavs that we will need to be playing our best netball to beat them. We will need to concentrate on tight whole court defence and in attack we will need to continue to move the ball quickly into our goal circle” Costelloe said
CRIPPS WARATAH currently in second place also meets both Cavaliers and Hawks across the weekend and will be eager to bounce back after defeat to Karana last weekend. Cripps captain Sophia Saunders said the weekend’s games were key to her side’s season and would need to be at their best.
“It is vital this weekend we put together our best team performance we have so far this season.”
Saunders also said her side would be motivated by last week’s loss but were confident of the quality in their side and ability to play finals.
“We all know what we are capable of achieving as a team and as individuals. If we can improve on what we need to, we will ideally peak at the right time. We are definitely motivated after our loss last week. The girls are determined to improve as a team and individuals to give us the best possibility of finals contention.” Saunders said
For the latest result, match details and in depth statistics please view http://my.netball.com.au/go.aspx?&entityid=38951&id=DRAW
