This Sunday Canberra Netball Association will start their finals campaign for three premierships in a row. Their first challenge will be long-time rivals Arawang Netball Association. Canberra have gotten the better on Arawang both times they've met this year. If they can come away victors on Sunday, they will have secured a place straight through to the Grand Final on Sunday 22nd of August.
A key matchup to watch on Sunday are Canberra Goal Shooter Nalani Makunde and Arawang Goalkeeper Millie Boehm. The two players know each other’s games inside and out – playing with and against each other in several different representative squads. Makunde when on court produces one of the highest volume of shots in the State League, coupled with her high accuracy it makes for a deadly combo. Makunde has grown her game this season, and at times diversified herself to show that she can run out in Goal Attack as well as Goal Shooter. Traditionally a holding shooter, this new element to her game will make her a handful to defend for the Arawang defensive end. Boehm will be looking to shut her down before getting into the area underneath the post, where Makunde is most effective. The pair will most likely be matched against each other through the whole game, as the 2 tallest players on their respective teams.
The battle in the midcourt to keep an eye on will be Leigh Kalsbeek and Tamara Weatherburn, the two players have met over several occasions over the past few years and bring a wealth of experience and know what it takes to play at a high level for their teams. If the two players are matched up it will most likely be in Centre before rotating into other midcourt positions. It will be an interesting matchup due to the style of play both players are likely to produce on court. Kalsbeek knows how to lose a defender and gives an extreme boost to Arawang's transition offence and circle feeds. Weatherburn will be looking to shut this down as one of the HCF State Leagues more physical midcourters, a player who knows how to get the ball back for her team.
The Division 1 Semi Finals will start at 2:30pm at the SolarHub ACT Netball Centre on Sunday 8th August
Canberra Netball Association V Arawang Netball Association
Belconnen Netball Association V Tuggeranong Netball Association
