Bailey Mes’ lack of shooting output shouldn’t count against her when the Silver Ferns’ squad is picked later this year.
Goal attack has suddenly become a wide open position for the Ferns with captain and star shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio pregnant with her second child and out for the rest of the year.
Ekenasio, who led the Ferns to their first Constellation Cup success against Australia since 2012 in March, is due to give birth in November. She has indicated she is eager to return next year and be available for the Ferns at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July.
Her absence leaves a gaping hole at goal attack alongside first-choice goal shoot Maia Wilson, who was outstanding during the Constellation Cup triumph.
The Ferns will need to appoint a new skipper with vice-captain Jane Watson likely the frontrunner. Fellow vice-captain Gina Crampton or Wilson could be other options, while Sam Winders and Sulu Fitzpatrick also have experience captaining their premiership sides.
While nothing has been locked in, Netball New Zealand hope to have a home Taini Jamison Trophy series against England in September, followed by a four-game home and away Constellation Cup against Australia in October.
At goal attack, Mes, who has played 72 tests since debuting in 2012, is probably next in line to start without Ekenasio.
Mes, who missed last season after knee surgery, was in the Ferns’ Constellation Cup squad, but only saw limited minutes in the series.
The 31-year-old has barely shot the ball for the Mystics this season, predominantly playing as a feeder alongside prolific goal shoot Grace Nweke, who has scored a competition-best 264 goals in five games.
Mes has shot just 27 goals from 43 attempts at a disappointing 62 per cent. She hadn’t scored double-digit goals in a game this season with her highest being eight.
Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua acknowledged she would like Mes’ volume and accuracy to be higher, but said she was playing a different role at the Mystics.
“We’ve got to be very careful as selectors noting that the styles are different and that we need to respect that of the clubs, that they are playing a different way. We’ve got to be mindful.
“In Bailey’s case, she would need to put more shots up, but also I’m noting with the game style they play with having Grace at the back, which is different to other teams. I’m also mindful of that.”
Te Paea Selby-Rickit, like Mes, a member of the Ferns’ 2019 World Cup winning squad, should be in the mix at goal attack. Selby-Rickit has returned to the court with the Tactix after missing the opening two games with an ankle issue.
She stood out in the Tactix’ extra-time win over the Mystics on Monday, landing 20 goals from 29 attempts, grabbing two rebounds, and sending some nice feeds into Ellie Bird.
Selby-Rickit’s accuracy must lift, landing 68 per cent in her three games back (39 from 57).
Three-test Fern Monica Falkner started in the second Constellation Cup test against Australia with Ekenasio sidelined, but struggled and was replaced after the first quarter by Mes.
Falkner, a Silver Ferns national squad member, hasn’t played for the Stars since round one with a left knee injury.
She was originally set to be out for 10-12 weeks, but the injury timeline had improved and Taurua expected her back on court soon.
Outside Mes, Selby-Rickit, and Falkner, Taurua, herself a former goal attack, was encouraged by the improved depth at the position.
Tiana Metuarau had benefited from increased playing time after moving to the Steel from the Pulse this season. Khiarna Williams, 18, has impressed for the Magic and looked like a future Silver Ferns prospect.
National development squad member Jamie Hume has had to step up at goal attack for the Stars without Falkner, while Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, 32, has delivered some pleasing outings for the Pulse, returning to the premiership for the first time since 2017.
“It’s quite interesting when I look at that level underneath and players in that goal attack position that are starting to put their hand up.
“I think there’s more goal attacks than there has been in previous years that are playing at a good level.
“It’s going to be interesting when they get closer to the business end as to those ones that can handle the pressure.”
As for replacing Ekenasio at captain, Taurua hadn’t given it too much thought.
Ekenasio was voted in as captain at the start of last year via a team voting system, which included all players, management, NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie and head of high performance Keir Hansen.
That was one option to find her successor. Several of the captaincy contenders had been around the Ferns’ environment for a substantial time, so they were aware of their leadership qualities, Taurua said.
“With our environment and how we work, in my eyes everybody is a leader. I know that’s a cliche, but that’s definitely how we work within our environment.”
Watson and Crampton captained the Ferns for a game in the Constellation Cup while Ekenasio was injured.
Taurua wouldn’t rule out co-captains, but as a “traditionalist” preferred a solitary skipper.
“I’m not averse to having co-captains I’m really not, but it’s got to be really clear and the roles and responsibilities have to be really clear, otherwise it creates unnecessary noise and confusion.”
