Netball: Good signs from Steel in build-up games

Southern Steel logo
Southern Steel logo
The Steel continued its promising build-up for the inaugural ANZ Championship with wins against the Otago premier side and the Otago men's team in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Steel comprehensively outplayed the premier team 80-27 and prevailed 45-27 in a tight tussle with the men's team at the Edgar Centre.

Steel coach Robyn Broughton described the games as ‘‘a jolly good workout'' three weeks out from the side's opening match against the New South Wales Swifts in Sydney on April 7.

Broughton was particularly impressed with the defensive effort in restricting both opposing sides to fewer than 30 goals.

‘‘We've been really working hard on team defence and getting everyone involved, not just those with D on their back,'' she said.

‘‘And I can say that their tactics in that respect were excellent. Everyone is putting in 100%.''

However, Broughton wants to see the attack end lift its performance. ‘‘We need to tidy up our attack and make sure we cherish possession,'' she said.

‘‘All the shooting stats were right up in the 80s but it is just that we have to sharpen up a wee bit more. We can't afford to be making basic mistakes like stepping or dropping the ball".

The Steel has embraced technology in an attempt to get the edge on its opposition and weed out mistakes. All the players have been given iPods with which to review their performances.

Footage of the pre-season matches has been loaded onto the devices and the players are expected to review the games.

The Steel members will assemble in Invercargill on Wednesday to continue their build-up.

Megan Hutton is still missing from the squad. The experienced goal-keep is playing in the Super League in England and could miss the team's debut.

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