Pretty Black and White Wrap Up Collingwood Magpies V Queensland Firebirds Round 9 Sunday 23 June 2019, Melbourne Arena

The game started well with Geva Mentor on her game with quick hands tipping passes and stealing the ball. Shimona Nelson was a little slower to settle but got there through some great teamwork from Nat Medhurst, who set up some plays. Medhurst got plenty of ball and had some wonderful long shots, all accurate. Kimi Poi started in the centre and Kim Ravaillion was on the bench. Kelsey Browne showed her athleticism in how she took the passes and moved them on with great speed to Nelson. The Firebirds took a time out and rightly so as the previous 6 goals were all black and white. Upon their return to the court the Firebirds shooters were unsettled by Mentor who seemed to interrupt their flow taking easy rebounds and applying relentless pressure. Medhurst was playing out of her skin as a feeder and goaler. The Magpies took the bonus point and led by 5 points at the first break.
The second quarter saw the Firebirds play a very settled, patient game and start to reduce the deficit. Collingwood went back to trying to force the ball into the circle and the Firebirds scored the first 3 goals of the quarter. The Pies took a time out and the advice from the Coaches was to work the GA back into the game and once back on court that was exactly what they did, with Medhurst scoring a beautiful high goal. The Firebirds levelled the score and a step by one of the Firebirds caused a turnover and Nelson scored. The next 3 goals were Collingwood. The black and white defence was outstanding as the Firebirds had difficulty getting the ball over the transverse line out of defence. Medhurst had her eye in with 8/8 goals and the Pies pulled away by 3 points. Medhurst had great vision and got the ball straight to Nelson from the centre pass.
The Firebirds called a time out and put Ramelda Aikin into GK in an effort to slow down the shooting machine that was Medhurst and Nelson. Nelson got her shots off in spite of Aikin’s height and Medhurst could not be stopped. The Firebirds took the bonus point at the end of the second quarter  and the Magpies led by 4 goals.
The third quarter began with Aikin back on the bench and Mentor and Brandley dishing out some great defensive pressure. The Pies had a momentary lapse and struggled with their pass placement. They started forcing the ball into the circle. A bit of extra running from Medhurst and things were back on track with some very swift passes into Nelson.
Brazill did her athletic best to keep Nevins (Firebirds) out of the game. The Firebirds stepped up their defensive efforts and Collingwood played a very patient game working the ball into the circle and Medhurst delivering some amazing passes into Nelson. The Magpies called a time out and the Coach asked for more than one option and Mentor told her team mates to have a crack at the ball in defence. The team responded to the Coaches message and moved the ball quickly down the court, giving Collingwood the lead by 6 points.
The Pies circle defence was fantastic as Tippett (Firebirds) caused a turnover for contact and Kelsey Browne was throwing her body behind the ball. The Bonus point went to the Magpies and they led by 6 points going into the final break.
Collingwood started hard and fast in the last quarter and the Firebirds began to crack under the pressure. The Pies led by 8 goals and the Firebirds called a desperate time out. The advice to the Firebirds defenders was to jump on the shot to stop Nelson scoring.
Aikin came on in GS and a couple of calls went against Mentor, but the Magpie defence was a real headache for the Firebirds. Collingwood continued to put their foot down and Medhurst kept up the fast, long feeds to Nelson. Mentor had front position in the circle and took a beautiful intercept and the ball moved swiftly up court. Nelson missed two shots in a row but got her own rebound to finally get the goal. Ravaillion showed that she could help settle her side and add dynamic play by getting a few touches. The Firebirds forced the ball into the circle and Mentor was too good for Aikin. Desperate for percentage with only seconds to go Nelson took a pass at the top of the circle and turned to successfully bomb it. Nelson was surprised and the stadium erupted. Collingwood scored the final bonus point and won by 13 goals.

Final score Pies  63   Firebirds  50   Pies by 13 points
Player of the match: Natalie Medhurst, Collingwood Magpies
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My Take
This was the Collingwood Magpies Netball team that we know and love. There was a lot more confidence and cohesion on court this week. This win secured fourth place and the finals in four weeks-time after the World Cup. Nat Medhurst had 100% accuracy with her shooting for the game, something you don’t see very often and Nelson around 96% by the third quarter (73% last week) which was the difference in their game this week. The defenders had an outstanding game with Mentor joining the 100 touches club and keeping Tippett’s shooting stats to just 80%. Ash Brazill kept Nevins quiet and as a team they really stepped up their defensive efforts. They played a steady, patient game. It was also nice the see the Coach a little less exasperated this week.  I’m excited for finals as we all know just what this team can do especially with the right mind set. Looking forward to a great final series.
Go Pies!
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