THE Adelaide Thunderbirds’ trans-Tasman netball championship defence ended in disappointment, but for Newcastle’s Samantha Poolman it was a season of opportunity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After the high of Poolman’s debut season, when she watched the likes of Australian Diamonds Natalie van Bertouch, Sharni Layton and Rebecca Bulley inspire the club to championship glory, Adelaide won just five times in 13 games to finish in eighth spot, two wins outside the top four.
Amid the gloom, there were personal victories for Poolman.
The 23-year-old played six games for the Thunderbirds, including her starting debut against the Swifts in round three.
‘‘We lost a lot of players in the mid-court due to injury, so a few things didn’t go our way like they did last year,’’ the defender said.
‘‘Personally, I had a lot of opportunity.
‘‘I started my first game and played a full game against West Coast Fever. That was something good for me.
‘‘That was a goal of mine, to get on the court and make more of an impact than I did the year before.’’
In three of her six games Poolman started on the bench. She was usually brought into the game for impact late in the second quarter.
‘‘It was challenging to really make that impact when you come onto the court,’’ she said. ‘‘Every shooter in the league is now playing for the Australian Diamonds or is an international star, so it’s very challenging coming on and taking control of that.
‘‘I set myself goals this year and that was one of them, to get more court time.’’
Last August Poolman signed a two-year contract to stay at the Thunderbirds until the end of next season.
Today she will meet with Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson to debrief after the season and identify areas for improvement.
Poolman will remain in Adelaide until August playing with state league netball club Garville and continuing her studies in early childhood teaching.
AAP reports: Queensland may be the team of the moment, but coach Roselee Jencke says the trans-Tasman netball championship finals series is wide open.
The Firebirds ended the regular season with six straight victories and are the only side in semi-final action to have won their last-round fixture.
They face minor premiers the Melbourne Vixens on Monday for a place in the grand final. The loser meets the winner of tomorrow’s minor semi between NSW Swifts and Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
