April 14, 2009
by specialguest123
in
Fan Blogs, Blogs
with 2 comments
Is the loss against Magic a pre-cursor to the season? Is it natural, the game against Pulse was an expected win for Mystics?
Some will agree that the loss against Magic is a pre-cursor to the Mystics Season, while others say it is early days yet. Most will agree that Mystics should and in fact did, win against Pulse.
Whilst I didn't get to the Magic game nor watch it on Tele, which I'm sure was a toughie for Mystics, I did get to the game against Pulse and felt there were times when Pulse could have easily taken the tirumph away from Mystics.
So is this an indicator of how the Mystics Season will end? No-one can predict the future but they can have a jolly good guess. My guess is that unless Mystics find out where they are going wrong they could well end up at the bottom of the pile or toward the bottom.
My friends and I, armchair critics that we are, know the Mystics have a great Team but lack 'something', something we cannot put our fingers on or define to offer or perhaps justify Mystics inconsistent on court play.
There were times Catherine Latu seemed to lack confidence in her Team mates by holding on to the ball a bit longer than necessary when a quick flick would have done the job. Further, because of her lack of trust, dangerously passed the ball across court several times, thus allowing the Pulse defence to deflect the ball or intercept the unnecessarily high pass. Maybe a 'Team' bonding session could help with any trust issues the Team perhaps 'unconsciously', harbour.
Pamela Cookey the new import, opened the circle creating space for Catherine to receive a pass. Most of her efforts were rewarded as the feeders were able to get the ball in to Catherine, however, these moments were just that, 'fleeting' and few.
It would be interesting to see how Pamela and Grace fit in that shooting circle. Both being fast, lots of feet movement, confident in their own abilities. The test being whether there is confidence in each others abilities.
Temepara as usual showed why she is where she is. The change to WA whilst it was surprising, ensured better and confident feeding to the Shooters. Her brilliance in playing Centre was obvious in the time she moved to WA.
That's not to take anything away from Rawinia Everitt. Whilst she's not Temepara, she was more than adequate in the circle but seems to lack that 'hunting' style so synonymous with Temepara.
Keisha, whilst creating space for herself which was a good thing, still seemed to portray a headless chook. Perhaps this was exacerbated by the fact no-one in her Team could see her 'below the radar' or was it because she was too far across court to risk the long pass?
Vili showed one or two moments of her former brilliance. I cannot help but think perhaps her nutritional needs be put under a microscope. Yes, early part of the season, however, with the training regime, weights and fitness etc, one cannot help but comment about her weight gain and sluggish movements. Enough said.
Stephanie Bond played a good game and showed an at times, intuitive defensive play.
I cannot help but mention that their needs to be a bit more talk between defensive players. They need to know where the other is and what each is doing. Directing each other ensures 'full defensive' tactics are brought to the fore and lessens the opportunities for umpires to call an infringement against them but also lessens the amount of goals scored but also increases the intercepts and ball gains from forced errors.
Lastly, I'd just like to comment on the Umpires. As an Umpire myself, albeit Regional Level, I couldn't help but notice the constant use of elbows, bums and shoulders right in front of the umpires. I realise 'fair contesting' results in the odd contact, however, these movements were deliberate. One of the Main rules is that Netball is a 'Non-Contact' Sport and whilst I can appreciate watching a little 'physicality' along the veins of fair contesting, the Sport needs to be cleaned up.
In receiving coaching as an Umpire, I'm often told to watch for these things or call it more often, yet how can this be justified when you see Umpires at this level allowing these things to pass?
Finally, I am Volunteer for the Mystics games and therefore supporter. These are my thoughts which are here to invoke comment that perhaps lead to a better understanding for us all as to what it is the Mystics need to be consistent this season. Good Luck Team.