The margin may have read six goals by full time, but the Australia Diamonds were completely outclassed by rivals New Zealand in game 1 of the Constellation Cup.
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If not for the Silver Ferns benching three of their best for the final term, the margin looked set to stay double digits – as it had been sitting since early in the second term.
Coach Stacey Marinkovich concedes “we’ve got a bit of work to do” in their misfiring attack that struggled under the defence of star Kiwi duo Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger – and not for the first time.
Statistics showed Australia had just one less attempt on goal than New Zealand in that Auckland series opener – but they couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
Silver Ferns defence dominates Aus | 02:04
Aside from Sophie Garbin’s 20/21 goals in the second half, no other Australian goaler converted at more than 77% accuracy.
And in worrying signs, the team’s 82% goal conversion is the Diamonds’ worst since last year’s Constellation Cup – a series where Australia never reached the 90% accuracy figure across all four matches.
Despite the loss, Marinkovich could still see positives – and backed in her attack to respond.
“For us, I thought we actually had really good ball speed over the centre pass,” she said after the loss.
“Thought we were getting to the circle’s edge quite well – we’ve got a bit of work to do in accessing the shooters in positions that we want to go strong to post and get some variety on that shot.
“It’s not like we’re not getting the ball there – and actually our shooter supply was really solid. I think I’ve got to separate the score and what it felt like.
“I think we need to find some different angles to get the ball delivered into – and make sure we’re not forcing our way so far from post.
“We’ve got to be more dominant in that mid range, close range sort of area. We’ve got to have variety on the shot and change the tempo.
“I think all of them are capable of doing it – I’ve seen it many times before. I think now they’ve seen it again (that smothering defence), they’ll have a good look and be really honest with that performance.”
Jackson finished MVP for the match with her eight gains – more than the six combined from the Australian team before heading to the bench in the final term.
Young Aussie Georgie Horjus had a game-high 38 feeds – 15 more than the best Silver Fern – yet only 19 of those ended as a goal assist.
Similarly Aussie skipper Liz Watson managed just four goal assists in an entire half before heading to the bench.
Statistics show the ball went into the New Zealand goal circle just once more than it did for Australia – yet the Kiwis had nine more goal assists.
Down the other end, the Aussie attack of Kiera Austin and Cara Koenen struggled to go to post and shoot over the reach of Jackson.
Marinkovich admitting the star goal keeper got in the head of her attackers, and said it was something the side needed to address ahead of game two in Christchurch on Wednesday.
“I think there’s a few different things we were trying to do in the circle and you know, not playing on top of each other as goal shooters,” she said.
“I think they’re trying to access different parts of the circle. It was sort of going with what the plan was – but not necessarily finishing the execution.
“Where the feeders needed to place it, they’ve got to read where the defenders were. I think we were a little bit indecisive either releasing the ball or exactly being definite to the angle we needed to present with.
“They are formidable (the NZ defence) … Kelly’s got a great lean on her defence of the shot.
“We’ve got the ability to place the ball – but we’ve got to back in that we hold the space well. We’ve got to be able to work the goal attack and goal shooter so there’s a double threat so it’s not as readable as to where the ball’s coming in to.”
Marinkovich has a big call to make on the make up of her side for game two, with holding goal shooter Donnell Wallam waiting in the wings.
Cara Koenen, given the start in game one, struggled to have an impact early while neither Kiera Austin or Sophie Dwyer could penetrate at goal attack in the series opener.
Game two of the Constellation Cup will be played in Christchurch on Wednesday night, with first centre pass from 5.40pm AEDT.
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