Westfield Netballer of the Week 2016
Each week a player from the SFNL Netball competition is awarded the Westfield Fountain Gate Netballer of the Week and will receive a $20 Westfield Fountain Gate gift card. Each weekly winner also goes in the running to win the prestigious Westfield Fountain Gate Netballer of the Year.
2016 WESTFIELD FOUNTAIN GATE NETBALLER OF THE YEAR
ZALI MIFSUD (Heatherton)
Preliminary Finals
BRITTANY GOLDSMITH (Dingley)
One of the main keys to the division one battle between Dingley and Keysborough was always going to be played out in the Keysborough goal circle. The Borough shooters can be very difficult to shut out of any game, and in this one Brittany Goldsmith stood up admirably to the challenge. She was responsible for numerous key intercepts and strong rebounds, and ensured that none of the Keysborough goals were easily earned, keeping her cool when the pressure was at its hottest.
Congratulations, Brittany!
Semi Finals
AMY BURNS (Keysborough)
In a very even team effort throughout an elimination final that went to extra time, the efforts of Amy Burns were vital in giving Keysborough a berth in the preliminary final. During a second half in which Caulfield threw everything bar the clubhouse at Keysborough, Amy’s tenacity at wing defence cut out many promising attacking raids and limited the ball that could be used by the Caulfield shooters.
Congratulations, Amy!
Round 15
JASMIN KICK (Black Rock)
In games which are tight from beginning to end, it’s often moves that are made within the game that make all the difference. So it was in Black Rock’s Division 3 match where Jasmine Kick was moved into wing defence after half time. Whilst Dingley looked to attack quickly and strongly, they were frequently thwarted by Jasmine’s desperate interceptions, and her intelligent passing set up numerous Black Rock attacking raids. All in all, Jasmine stood out in a fine team display, and was instrumental in a famous victory by the Jetballers.
Congratulations, Jasmin!
Round 14
SARAH MURPHY-GAMBLE (St Kilda City)
The performance of the day was from the St Kilda City Division 1 side against the high-flying Dingley. And the stand-out performance within the St Kilda City side was from Sarah Murphy-Gamble at wing defence. Sarah was busy all day and began many City attacks with an intelligent range of passing from the back court. She was also responsible for numerous intercepts and didn’t give the Dingley attackers an easy time all day as part of a victory that will be remembered long into the future by all that played in it.
Congratulations, Sarah!
Round 13
FIONA WHITE (St Kilda City)
Safe and sturdy, solid and steady, the dependable Fiona White has been a key member of the St Kilda City defence all season. What you see is what you get with Fiona, rarely playing a bad game and seldom making life easy for her opponent. Against Caulfield this week the St Kilda City side was severely hampered by the absence of key personnel, and were left without a bench. In conditions at times better suited to water polo than netball, Fiona kept working hard to the final siren for her team: a standout performance and a worthy Player of the Round.
Congratulations, Fiona!
Round 12
RAHNI SAMASON (Heatherton)
It’s rare that you walk off the court in a game of netball with 65 goals to your name. This is the feat achieved by Rahni Samason in Heatherton’s win over Caulfield this week. Rahni has proved to be one of the deadliest shooters in the SFNL this season, and is showing no signs of her form dropping off in the lead-in to finals. Heatherton look the most likely to challenge Dingley’s dominance over recent years – a shooter that rarely misses is a vital ingredient.
Congratulations, Rahni!
Round 11
TOBI CUNNINGHAM (Bentleigh)
There are some decisions which make coaches look like either geniuses or idiots. It was an inspired move that put Bentleigh’s smart young shooter Tobi Cunningham into defence against the best shooter in the SFNL, and after a Herculean effort all day it was through no fault of Tobi that Bentleigh could not emerge victorious. She finished her day with eight intercepts and two rebounds to be her team’s standout performer in a gutsy display.
Congratulations, Tobi!
Round 10
ALICIA WISE (Dingley)
Alicia Wise has done all that there is to do in the SFNL netball competition, but yet another sterling display in the game against Caulfield sees her nominated as player of the week in round 10. Faced with a rampant Caulfield shooting combination, and paired with an inexperienced goal keeper in young Laura Piper, Alicia expertly martialled Dingley’s defensive forces and was able to transition Dingley into attack strongly and often. Her leadership has been pivotal in Dingley’s nine-match winning streak, and will remain so in the run in to another finals campaign.
Congratulations, Alicia!
Round 9
ABBY MACKIE (Keysborough)
It makes it so much easier for a mid-court player to go about their business knowing that they have quality in the shot circle to finish off their endeavour. So it is with the Keysborough shooter Abby Mackie. Abby has a natural height advantage over many defenders that she opposes, but she has the positional knowledge and game smarts to make the most of this, and an unerring shot once she has the ball in her hands. Abby was instrumental in Keysborough’s tough win over Caulfield, and has been a key element in their ascent to third place on the ladder.
Congratulations, Abby!
Round 8
MAKAYLA BULTE (Caulfield)
Last month Makayla Bulte was in Southern’s interleague squad. This week she found herself jumping puddles at Dingley, completely running the show in the match against St Kilda City. Makayla was a unanimous choice as player of the match as she set up most of what was good in Caulfield’s win which kept her side entrenched in the Division 1 top four.
Congratulations, Makayla!
Round 7
MARIAH DEACON (Bentleigh)
Bentleigh’s first points of the season put a smile on the faces of many of the club faithful, and none more so than the ever-cheery Mariah Deacon. However, don’t let the chirpy exterior fool you. Mariah has won the ‘Player of the Week’ mantle for her ruthless defensive display against the St Kilda City shooters that was instrumental in securing their 27-27 draw. This smiling assassin was sure and sturdy in the defensive circle, and repelled many a promising St Kilda City raid in a stand-out performance.
Congratulations, Mariah!
Round 6
NICHOLA TULLEY (Dingley)
Amidst a team containing some of Southern’s elite netballallers, the big matches often give the young guns the opportunity to shine. And so it was in Dingley’s top of the table clash with Heatherton. In tricky, wet conditions, it was smart young mid-courter Nichola Tulley that lit up the court. Nichola’s hard running and intelligent passing range set up many scoring opportunities as Dingley recovered a half time deficit to post a vital victory.
Congratulations, Nichola!
Round 5
LAURA AGIUS (Keysborough)
Smart goal shooter Laura Agius is the player of the round this week, her clever positioning and accurate shooting being instrumental in Keysborough’s win over Bentleigh. The Bentleigh defenders were always going to prove tough opponents, but the Borough shooters were keen to prove they were up for the challenge. Shooting was not always easy in the tricky wind, but Laura put in a masterful display as Keysborough stayed strong in third spot.
Congratulations, Laura!
Round 4
ZALI MIFSUD (Heatherton)
Heatherton’s talented and tenacious goal defence Zali Mifsud is this week’s player of the round. In a match in which she was physically disadvantaged against bigger opposition, Zali stood strong as Heatherton fought back after conceding an early lead. Blessed with a great netball brain, Zali’s consistency is well known and she was pivotal in a tough victory on this occasion.
Congratulations, Zali!
Round 3
JESS PAYNE (Dingley)
The tall and skilful goal-attack Jess Payne was a vital cog in Dingley’s 46-31 defeat of a tenacious Bentleigh in Round 3. Jess revelled in the physical battle provided by a dogged Bentleigh defence, providing a strong target for the mid-courters and shooting unerringly once found in the goal circle. Jess’s finishing was instrumental in Dingley gaining the ascendancy after an even start, and finally winning all four quarters to post their second victory of the season.
Congratulations, Jess!
Round 2
BILLIE NUKUNUKU (St Kilda City)
Saints’ vice-captain Billie Nukunuku was instrumental in her side’s thrilling one-point victory over Bentleigh. The creative wing attack, while being quick to stress that the win was a true team effort, was instrumental in setting up many a raid in her side’s withering third quarter burst, and solid when the game became tight in the final stanza. She was determined that her girls would make up for their round one defeat, and this they did in fine style.
Congratulations, Billie!
Round 1
STEPH CLEMONS (Caulfield)
Classy Caulfield centre Steph Clemons is 2016’s first Player of the Day. In her first SFNL Division 1 match, Steph looked completely at home whether playing in the middle of the court, or changing at wing attack. The physical nature of the clash against Bentleigh seemed to suit her as she was able to stay cool under pressure, and to constantly pick the right pass. She was a stand-out in a very solid team performance.
Congratulations, Steph!
