Pulse to be 'good test' for Steel

The Southern Steel trains at the Edgar Centre yesterday as it prepares for its match against the...
The Southern Steel trains at the Edgar Centre yesterday as it prepares for its match against the Central Pulse in Wellington on Monday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Reinga Bloxham is a happy coach, but she knows a tough test awaits.

Now a third of the way through its season, the Southern Steel has emerged as a frontrunner in the ANZ Premiership.

A first-up loss has been followed by four comprehensive wins - the closest margin being 18 goals.

The Central Pulse looms in Wellington on Monday, the one side the Steel has not yet played and one which remains unbeaten.

Bloxham knows that will pose a challenge, although she is pleased with the progress of the team.

"If I think about where we were a couple of weeks ago and how we're tracking I think we're doing really well," she said.

"I think this game is going to be a good test for us to see exactly where we are.

"The Pulse are a quality side, they're playing some good netball and I think it'll be a good challenge for us."

She felt there was still plenty of room to grow, though.

While the Steel had begun to find its rhythm, it had still not put things together for a full 60 minutes.

That was a key goal.

Solidifying its connections had been key and the emerging depth had created some selection conundrums.

The starting seven has remained the same, although Bloxham has made a host of changes throughout games.

That is a change from the previous two years.

Whether that would continue or a settled seven would emerge remained to be seen, she said.

"At this stage, to be fair, I think we've given the opposition respect when we've made those changes and thought about what we can add to give us an edge.

"I'm not 100% sure yet.

"At this time of the season I'm really happy with how things are going.

"I suppose it's going to be down to the players, what they do and the product they put out there.

"I love the fact I've got 10 players that I can just chop and change and bring on when I need to."

While the side was preparing like it would for any game, she admitted this one had an edge.

Last year's final - in which the Steel mounted a furious comeback to snatch a one-goal win - would probably add motivation.

"That'll be fresh in the Pulse's mind, that we stole it off them and managed to get that win.

"They'll definitely use it as motivation.

"I think the one thing we can use as motivation is that butt-kicking they gave us in Porirua this time last season."

 

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