Netball: Semifinal pass notes

Donna Loffhagen is rated as one of the world's best goal attacks. Picture / Paul Estcourt

It's semifinals time in netball's national championships and with places in the Silver Ferns squad available, there is plenty to play for.

Julie Ash analyses the top teams with the coach of last year's winning North side, Yvonne Willering.

Waikato

Last year's placing: 2nd

With eight players from National Bank Cup-winning franchise the Magic - four of them Silver Ferns - Waikato should feel confident heading into the last four.

Despite their array of talent Waikato have shown areas of vulnerability.

Casey Williams and Joline Henry have been solid on defence and Laura Langman has been steady in the midcourt, apart from the odd case of the speed wobbles, but at times Waikato have struggled on attack.

And while that has partly been the result of good defence from opponents, many of Waikato's problems stem from wing attack and goal attack where they are still working in Liana Barrett-Chase and goal attacks Evelyn Horomia and Halana Leith.

Some of the feeding and passing around the shooting circle could best be described as helter skelter.

Says Willering: "It is just because they have had changes there and they haven't had that stability."

But she points out they are improving in each game and, in a drawn-out tournament like the nationals, that is what matters most.

Waikato's strength is clearly shooter Irene van Dyk, and the match against Otago highlighted her importance. Van Dyk was rested for the first half and as a result Waikato trailed Otago at halftime by three points. When she was introduced, Waikato almost automatically took the lead.

Willering says that although van Dyk is a key player for them it's important Waikato use her "wisely".

"They can't just rely on her."

Southland

Last year: 6th

Southland have a good chance of claiming this year's title and it is all because of a couple of experienced, wily shooters by the name of Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen.

The two are trickier to conquer than a Rubik's cube and are well supported by the visionary Adine Wilson and powerful defenders Jenny Ferguson and Megan Hutton.

The Southland side very much resemble the Sting franchise - and remember, it took seven attempts to wrestle the National Bank Cup off them.

"They are just that steady team," Willering says. "They play right to the end. Another team can come close [but] they don't falter, they just stick to the task.

"They are playing very consistent netball more than anything else. There weren't a lot of interceptions in their game [against North] but when they get the ball in hand it is very hard to take it off them."

If Southland do have a weakness it's at centre. At the moment they are alternating between Reinga Te Huia and Wendy Telfer.

Says Willering: "In their game against North, North were quite tight in the circle so it wasn't easy for Southland to feed into their shooters all the time."

But Loffhagen would still rate as one of the world's best goal attacks. The double international has been unstoppable in the tournament. Currently the second best shooter behind Irene van Dyk, with an average of at least 90 per cent, it is heartbreaking that she is not available for the Silver Ferns.

"I have always rated Donna, her pure intensity and the demands she makes on the players around her," says Willering." Now she is assistant coach she can shout a little more."

Shutting down that lethal Southland attack is crucial to beating them.

Says Willering: "I think their strength is their whole team so you just have to break down one aspect of that team and then you are in with a chance."

Canterbury

Last year: 4th

Canterbury set the benchmark after section play, emerging as the only unbeaten team.

Willering says that what impresses her most about Canterbury is that they are not relying on certain individuals but "their defence is working as a whole and same with their attack".

Canterbury have key players in each area of the court.

Silver Fern defender Vilimaina Davu leads from goal keep and has produced formidable partnerships with both her goal defences, Jodi Tod and Bessie Manu - particularly Tod.

The relentless Julie Seymour holds the midcourt together along with punchy wing attack Maree Bowden, who has had a productive tournament and must be giving the national selectors something to ponder in regard to that back-up wing attack position.

Under the goal post for Canterbury is the boisterous Shelley Norris, who at 36 is showing she can match it with the best of defenders.

"I think she is getting better with age actually," says Willering. "She is consistent and another one of those old-school players who works right to the end."

At the moment Canterbury are having difficulty with their back line throws (from defence) and bringing the ball through court - that will be one area their opponents will be looking to exploit.

Auckland Waitakere

Last year: 3rd

Solving the problem that is Maria will be the challenge for the side that meet Auckland Waitakere in tonight's semifinal.

Maria Tutaia, Auckland Waitakere's goal attack, has been in magnificent form in the competition.

Her silky, turn-and-shoot style is proving difficult for many defenders to counteract, especially as she is more than willing to put the shots up from out wide.

While Tutaia is putting up the bulk of the shots for the Auckland side, despite playing at goal attack, she has been well supported by Paula Griffin and Susan Tagicakibau. Griffin is averaging 82 per cent and Tagicakibau 91.

At the other end of the court Auckland Waitakere are equally as potent with Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond. Scarlett has looked a little tired in recent games and appears to be carrying a slight calf strain. Auckland Waitakere will need for her to be on song if they are to advance to the final.

Auckland Waitakere's weakness is the midcourt where they are lacking experience without Jenny May Coffin, who is struggling with a calf strain. While young players Amenda Payne, Camilla Lees and Grace Rasmussen are doing a reasonable job they do tend to have patches where they drift along rather than drive into the ball.

But that is just experience and in time they will learn the need to perform for 60 minutes.