Netball: Firebirds are hot favourites

Natalie Medhurst. Photo / Getty Images

This year, the Firebirds have converted sparks of promise into an eternal flame.

Just like the Mystics, before this season the Firebirds have been perennial bridesmaids - finishing fifth and an agonising one place shy of the playoffs - in all three seasons of the ANZ Championship.

In contrast, 2011 has been a bridal shower. They have managed a league record 14-game unbeaten streak and will be hot favourites when they host next weekend's grand final.

After three years of hurt, coach Roselee Jencke is revelling in success - but reluctant to reveal the full recipe for the turnaround.

"There are a number of different things - I can't give away everything but we have worked incredibly hard on and off the court," Jencke told the Herald on Sunday.

"The girls have learned a lot from last year and one of the key things is that we knew we didn't want to be on the other side of close losses. This year, we have been able to make sure we win the close ones."

Last year, the Firebirds lost 50-47 and 44-40 to the Swifts, and were shaded 41-40 and 53-51 by the eventual champion Thunderbirds. Those narrow defeats meant that, despite beating all five New Zealand sides (including a 71-54 flogging of the Mystics), they were consigned to fifth.

"We weren't pummelled by anyone last year - they were all really close games," says Jencke. "Because of those experiences, we are tougher and more resilient in the crunch times."

Probably the key factor for the Firebirds this season has been the class and consistency of Romelda Aiken and Natalie Medhurst in their second campaign together.

After some difficulties in 2010 - when it was rumoured the duo didn't see eye-to-eye off the court - their partnership has touched perfection this year.

Jamaican star Aiken, still only 22 years old, has developed a stronger hold this year and remains the best rebounder in the game. Medhurst has great vision, swift movement and an unerring shot, meaning teams are unable to double up on the 1.96m Aiken.

Aiken leads the league with 488 goals (at an outstanding 86 per cent) while Medhurst has contributed 316 (at 83.2 per cent) - no other goal attack in the competition has topped 300. Medhurst also has 133 assists (fifth best), the only player in the top 10 assists who is not a midcourter.

"Romelda is always improving and maturing," says Jencke. "She has also added creative things to her game like the shuffle shot. But the combination is key - both have been able to step up when needed; they are both able to contribute equally and that is really important."

Jencke also points to a stronger bench this season, and they have certainly got value out of new recruits such as Chelsea Pitman and Candice Adams.

They retained eight players from last year, and have a solid core of five key players (Aiken, Claire McMeniman, Laura Geitz, Lauren Nourse and Keirra Trompf) who have been with the franchise since inception and know each other's play inside out.

"The Firebirds epitomise a true total team effort," says Netball New Zealand high performance director Tracey Fear. "When they lost Lauren Nourse [to injury], another player stepped in and looked like she had been there all season."

The Firebirds are continuing a bumper year for the Sunshine State. The Queensland Roar won the A-League convincingly, while the Reds and Broncos sit near the top of Super Rugby and the NRL respectively. While netball across the ditch has nowhere near the profile it enjoys here, success has brought its own rewards.

"In Queensland, the appreciation for the sport has grown and we have been getting more coverage and recognition," says star defender Geitz. "It is not quite in the league of someone like [Darren] Lockyer but we do get recognised here and there - especially when we go out all together, as we are taller than most."