Silver Ferns victory: That one is for you Robyn
Silver Ferns victory: That one is for you Robyn
“We knew after two losses that bringing them to Invercargill would scare them a bit and the crowd certainly produced. It was the eighth person out there on court with us."
Silver Ferns 56 (Grace Nweke: 34/36, Ameliaranne Ekenasio: 12/14, Tiana Metuarau: 2/4, Amelia Walmsley: 8/10) Australia 53 (Cara Koenen: 16/18, Kiera Austin: 16/23, Sophie Garbin: 21/22) 1Q: 10-14, HT: 28-24, 3Q: 38-40.
There have been many special moments on centre court at ILT Stadium Southland over the years - or more precisely Robyn Broughton Stadium for this story.
On Thursday there was another added.
The Silver Ferns found a much-needed victory over Australia in Invercargill - the first test played in the city in seven years.
The win keeps the door open for the Silver Ferns in the series heading into the fourth and final test in Auckland on Monday.
Probably most importantly the 56-53 victory has injected some much-needed confidence into the Silver Ferns playing group that’s had a tough run.
The 3000-plus vocal Invercargill crowd played its part on Thursday night.
The star of the show for the Silver Ferns Kelly Dury paid tribute to the passionate Southlanders after the game.
“We knew after two losses that bringing [Australia] to Invercargill would scare them a bit and the crowd certainly produced. It was the eighth person out there on court with us,” the Silver Ferns defender said.
Sky Sport broadcaster Courtney Tairi went as far as jokingly suggesting all test matches should now be played in Invercargill given what transpired on Thursday night.
Even Australian shooter Cara Koenen jumped on the praise train saluting what the Invercargill crowd brought, and the role it played in the Silver Ferns win.
“Wow, it was loud. Invercargill really brought it. We definitely weren’t expecting there would be such a presence amongst the stadium. I think they gave the Silver Ferns a second wind,” Koenen said.
While the win clawed the series back to 2-1, Thursday night was more than just about that.
It was a night when Southland netball royalty was honoured. New Zealand netball royalty to be fair.
ILT Stadium Southland was renamed Robyn Broughton Stadium for the night and those in the Silver Ferns camp took it on themselves to put together a performance that honoured the late Broughton, a former Silver Ferns assistant coach.
“A really big thing for us has been how we connect with the people who have built the path before us. So that was huge to do that for Robbie,” Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said.
Silver Ferns midcourter Kate Heffernan, who plays for the Southern Steel, was well aware of what Broughton meant to the Southland community.
“It’s such an amazing crowd and it was so special to be able to play at home in front of lots of family and friends, it’s just such an amazing community.
“I was never coached by Robbie but I was influenced by so many players that learned off Robbie, so a lot of the players I’ve learned off and been guided by were coached by Robbie.”
There were moments during the special win when the Silver Ferns looked like they might come unstuck.
They led by four goals at one point in the first quarter before trailing at the end of the first quarter by four.
The Silver Ferns did go on a nine-goal run in the second quarter and led 28-24 at halftime.
However, by the end of the third quarter the home team trailed by two and it took a strong final quarter showing to bank the 56-53 win.
Next up is Auckland on Monday.