Sting Qualify for ANL Finals
The Western Sting has qualified for the semi finals of the 2014 Australian Netball League season and will face the Queensland Fusion this Saturday in Victoria.
With the final round leaving the top four to be decided, the Sting performed admirably in their final two fixtures to ensure that other results around them became irrelevant.
Two wins was what the team needed to guarantee their spot, and Stacey Rosman’s side delivered and more following a close encounter with the Southern Force, and a regulation win over the Tassie Spirit.
The two wins sees the Sting cement their spot at second on the ANL ladder, with the side facing a tough semi-final matchup against the Queensland Fusion on Saturday. The finals campaign is also the team’s third appearance in four seasons.
Coach Stacey Rosman spoke highly of the team’s performance following the significant victory.
“I think the girls did a really good job, for some it’s the first time they’ve been involved in a game that had such a major outcome for us,” she said.
“To be able to go into a game with such a big reward at the end, it was pleasing they were able to stick to the game plan and execute it well.”
They fought hard in the 45-43 victory over the Force; scrambling for every opportunity and producing 14 more attempts on goal than their opponents.
The Force had the upper hand on the scoreboard in the first half, going in at the main break with a small three-goal lead. It was apparent early that WA were prepared to work hard to force opportunities in attack, but struggled to convert all their chances as they finished the first two quarters with a shooting efficiency of fewer than 60 percent.
The third quarter is where the Sting was able to build on their play from the first half and convert their opportunities into scoreboard pressure. Sarah East came into the game after half time and shot an efficient 94 percent, including nine goals in the crucial third quarter.
The 15-9 score line during the term helped set up the victory.
They were also able to reverse some of the team’s early missed opportunities in the final quarter, with WA shooting 100 percent and restricting SA to 10 goals from 14 attempts – their lowest output of the match.
The two-goal victory gave the Sting the platform they needed to charge towards finals, with contenders NSW Waratahs and the Vic Flames both losing their opening fixture.
A dominant display against the Tassie Spirit saw the Sting record a 61-31 win in the team’s final match. Notably, it was the restrictive nature of their defensive efforts that turned the game in WA’s favour. Constant pressure from the defence through to the midfield saw the Spirit shoot under 55 percent for the game.
Saturday’s matchup against the Queensland Fusion in Melbourne will be the Sting’s biggest challenge yet. The Fusion overcame WA in round four by thirteen goals, however in winning their last five games the Sting will be looking to capitalise on the momentum obtained in previous weeks as the team has surged towards contention.
“Something we’re focused on is to stay in the moment, I know that sounds really cliché’, but to stay in that moment means they know what their roles are as an individual, as a unit and as a team,” Rosman said.
“We’ve been able to continue to drive that each and every time since we had our big loss to Queensland – and we haven’t lost since.
“Every time they are stepping out there they are refining the game plan and really just executing. You can see the unity of the group coming together, we’ve got the ability to have those seamless changes – they did a really good job.”
Rosman noted the excitement of the opportunity to play finals, but spoke of the importance in sticking to what’s worked for the Sting so far.
“The girls are really excited about the opportunity to be playing finals again. Obviously it’s about keeping everything in check – we’re still focused on the actual process, our team works best when we really focus on the role we have to play, and not thinking too far down the track.
“Ash (Brazill) and Kate (Beveridge) are leading that really well, and their performances are growing every week,” she said.
“The girls are really taking advantage of the opportunity to play in the ANL competition, and they are setting a standard and a culture.
“They are really leading each other through it – it’s a really good dynamic across the board.”
-NetballWA