O'Connell shoots Steel home at Wendy Frew Stadium
What a season it’s been for Steel goal shoot Jen O’Connell.
Stepping into the bib left vacant by Jamaican superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, the 21-year-old has grown before our eyes in her first full season in the ANZ Premiership.
Sure, there’s been some jitters under the goal during 2018, but against the Silver Ferns defensive duo of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau she poured in 38 goals from 40 attempts to help send the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to Sunday’s grand final against the Pulse.
Photo: Southern Steel shoot Jen O'Connell in action against the Tactix. Pic: Michael Bradley Photography/Dianne Manson
Not bad for a player who was coming back after a three-week lay off following a burst ear drum.
“I just can’t believe it, the whole 60 minutes are just an absolute blur, I’m still in shock really,” O’Connell said immediately after the game.
This was the biggest netball occasion O’Connell has been part of. Ever.
Photo: The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel celebrate victory with their captain Wendy Frew. Pic: Michael Bradley Photography/Dianne Manson
A raucous, anxious and ferocious home crowd roared the Steel home at the temporarily-named Wendy Frew Stadium as the Steel captain celebrated her final game of professional netball on home turf with a 53-49 win which was in the balance until late in the contest.
Frew was feted before and after, an honour guard of the Telfer clan welcoming her onto court and the crowd giving her a royal send off as well.
Photo: Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew is presented with the keys to the city by Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt. Pic: Michael Bradley Photography/Dianne Manson
After the game Frew was presented with the keys to the city by Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt, and only one piece of the puzzle remains - whether the Steel can cap off her 16 year career with a second title in as many years against a very good Pulse team.
For O’Connell, it’s hard to imagine how this season could get any better, but it can.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead, I was packing myself before this game. We’ll see what happens on Sunday,” she said.
MATCH REPORT:
On the back of an emotionally-charged outing, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have advanced to Sunday’s Grand Final against Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Palmerston North.
In honour of local legend Wendy Frew, who is set to hang up her bib at the end of the season, and with the stadium named after her to mark the occasion, the Steel rose to the challenge with a hard-fought 53-49 win in the Elimination Final against a gallant Silvermoon Tactix in Invercargill tonight.
The Steel’s greater experience and winning know-how proved the difference against a Tactix team who had a season to be proud of after the perennial battlers made the Finals Series for the first time.
After a strong start, the southerners were outplayed through the middle stages by the tenacious Tactix before storming home in the final stanza. The rise of both goal shoots, Jen O’Connell for the Steel and her opposite Ellie Bird, the competition’s two tallest players was a feature in a thrilling clash, both having a big influence. But it was big-game composure and experienced heads that won the day.
The Steel got their wish and the inspiring Frew gets to lead the Steel one last time in what will close an endearing and enduring netball chapter.
O’Connell was back for the Steel after missing their last match with an ear complaint while Bird and Brooke Leaver teamed up in the Tactix shooting circle. It was the home side who showed the early initiative, quickly out of the blocks and impressing with their speed through court, spearheaded by Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton to hold a slight edge.
Photo: Steel captain Wendy Frew celebrates. Pic: Michael Bradley Photography/Dianne Manson
With Bird double-marked, the Tactix had a few problems getting the ball into her hands while at the other end, O’Connell showed her value with a perfect return as the Steel took a 15-12 lead into the first break.
Australian import Kate Beveridge took over at goal attack in the Tactix line-up as the Christchurch-based team made a big move in the second stanza. With the dynamic defensive combination of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau warming to the job at hand, the visitors found more turnovers coming their way.
Midcourters Kimiora Poi and Erikana Pedersen, alongside the crafty Beveridge, took every opportunity to feed the towering Bird, who, with impressive accuracy, helped the Tactix negate a six-goal deficit to complete a stunning turnaround before heading into the main break with a slim 29-28 lead.
Both teams delivered an accurate and intense third stanza, Fakahokotau adding to the drama with a speedy timeout to fix a split lip. Initially, it was the visitors, on the back of the growing presence of Bird who looked set to take charge when building a five-goal buffer.
Not to be outdone, the Steel retained the customary doggedness and patience to claw their way back and level up the scores. An unruffled O’Connell was all poise under the Steel hoop with her accuracy keeping her team right in the contest.
An exciting finish was guaranteed after a drawn third quarter left the Tactix with a 41-40 lead at the last break.
Official Result and Stats:
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel: 53
Silvermoon Tactix: 49
Shooting Stats - Steel:
Jen O'Connell: 38/40 @ 95%
Te Paea Selby-Rickit: 15/22 @ 68%
Shooting Stats - Tactix:
Ellie Bird: 42/45 @ 93%
Brooke Leaver 3/3 @ 100%
Kate Beveridge 4/5 @ 80%
