Latest news with #Heffernan
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Positive vibes for Steel: Heffernan
It feels like Georgia Heffernan has a rejuvenated energy this season. The Southern Steel goal attack has carried a heavy workload through a couple of tough seasons for the franchise, but this year things are looking up. The Steel have two losses — the latest by one point against the Northern Mystics in Dunedin on Monday — and one win, but are playing some great netball. That joy is evident from the beaming smile on Heffernan's face, even after a loss. "We're absolutely loving this year," Heffernan said. "We're all really happy, and we're all having a lot of fun in this environment, learning a lot. "We just clicked straight away ... I think it's showing on the court that we're a really happy, connected team." Heffernan was relishing the chance to play alongside Aliyah Dunn — "she can take such a huge load and she's so supportive" — and the depth in their midcourt courtesy of Kimiora Poi. Seeing Poi and Serina Daunakamakama take the reins when Heffernan's sister, Kate, was ruled out with injury had been pleasing. "It was great that they've stepped up when Kate went down," Heffernan said. "Having Kimi's been amazing. She's just come in, and been such a leader, and we absolutely love having her down here." Knowing others could carry the load through the middle helped take some of the pressure off Heffernan. "Last year at times I got into help-out mode, and I was just trying to help everyone and I was sometimes making it worse. "But I think now I can just focus on my role and just try to nail that. "There's been moments where I'm doing that in the first games, but it's just consistency that I want to work towards." Heffernan has always had a silky smooth shot from out wide, but that has been taken to another level with the introduction of the two-point shot. "I'm stoked about how it's bringing the long shot back into the game. It's such a tactical game. "I love it on our team because Summer [Temu], Aliyah and me, we can all take it — so it's not just on me." The Steel had a 55-54 loss to the Mystics in round three, a game that Heffernan was "absolutely gutted" to lose. "We showed that we could've won that ... but we kind of did it to ourselves." But she vowed the Steel would be keyed up for their first Invercargill home game against the Central Pulse tomorrow afternoon. The Mystics had been a good test ahead of the Pulse, and there was plenty the Steel could improve on from Monday's game, she said. "At times we kind of lost trust in each other and that's exactly what the Pulse will try do. "They'll try man-on defence ... and ride us for the whole 60 minutes. "We have to be prepared for that, but know that we have to trust each other and just do our own jobs." The Robyn Broughton Legacy Trophy will be on the line when the Steel meet the Pulse in tomorrow's game. ANZ Premiership Tomorrow, Invercargill, 4pm Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa. Central Pulse: Amelia Walmsley, Amorangi Malesala, Tiana Metuarau, Gabi Simpson, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Fa'amu Ioane, Parris Mason, Laura Balmer, Kelly Jackson.
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Heffernan vows to return
Kate Heffernan. Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan will miss more rounds of the ANZ Premiership after hyperextending her knee. Heffernan, who missed the opener against the Mainland Tactix on Sunday, hurt her knee at training last week but is expected to return this season. Steel physio Stacey Allan said there was a robust recovery plan and Heffernan was making "positive progress" as they worked towards her return. While disappointed, Heffernan said her focus was on getting back on court. "Unfortunately, injuries are one of the realities of elite sport, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking not to be able to get out there with my team," Heffernan said. "We have all worked incredibly hard during the preseason and deserve to reap the rewards of that now the competition has started. "Watching from the sidelines definitely fuels my determination. I will be following the expert advice of our medical team to the letter and doing everything in my power to play as soon as I get the green light, but I know I have to be patient." The Silver Fern travelled to the Steel's opening game in a leadership role. "Naturally I want to be out there playing my part, but I have the utmost faith in our entire squad to get the job done regardless of who is wearing the bibs." The Steel head to Hamilton to play the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
'Positive progress' but Heffernan out for more games
Kate Heffernan will miss more games for the Southern Steel this year. Photo: Blake Armstrong/Michael Bradley Photography Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan will miss the opening rounds of the ANZ Premiership after hyperextending her knee. Heffernan, who missed the opener against the Mainland Tactix on Sunday, hurt her knee at training last week but is expected to return this season. Steel physio Stacey Allan said there was a robust recovery plan and Heffernan was making ''positive progress'' as they worked towards her return. While disappointed, Heffernan said her focus was on getting back on court. ''Unfortunately, injuries are one of the realities of elite sport but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking to not be able to get out there with my team,' Heffernan said. 'We have all worked incredibly hard during the preseason and deserve to reap the rewards of that now the competition has started. 'Watching from the sidelines definitely fuels my determination. I will be following the expert advice of our medical team to the letter and doing everything in my power to play as soon as I get the green light, but I know I have to be patient.' The Silver Fern travelled with the team in a leadership role to their opening game. 'Naturally I want to be out there playing my part, but I have the utmost faith in our entire squad to get the job done regardless of who is wearing the bibs.'' The Steel head to Hamilton to play the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Monday.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
ANZ first round had a bit of everything
Did the opening round of the ANZ Premiership live up to the hype? Netball writer Kayla Hodge looks at five talking points. Super shot All the chat surrounding the opening round of the competition centred on the addition of the two-point shot. The initiative — which is in play for the final five minutes of each quarter — has been lauded in Australia's domestic competition. From the opening round, shooters landed 25 of 65 attempts from the two-point range and it was interesting to see different tactics in play. It took until just before halftime in the opening game between the Central Pulse and the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic for the first attempt to drop. But in the Auckland derby between the Northern Mystics and the Northern Stars, eight shots landed in the opening quarter before both teams sizzled out from the hot zone. There were always going to be teething issues through the first few rounds, and the two-point zone was used less than people might have thought, so it will be interesting to watch as the competition progresses. Stars did not align It was a gut-wrenching opening game for the Stars as they saw three of their starting side go down with what appeared to be serious injuries. Wing defence Greer Sinclair was the first to succumb to what looked like a season-ending knee injury, defender Kate Burley picked up an ankle complaint, and shooter Charlie Bell was stretchered off with an ankle injury late in the game. The Stars said on Monday Bell was "tracking positively" for Sunday's game. The injuries forced the Stars to completely empty their bench, and considering the Stars already had Samon Nathan out nursing a niggle, and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was supposed to be on managed minutes as she returned from an ACL injury, it made for grim reading. Captain Maia Wilson called it heartbreaking as she battled through tears in her post-match interview and said in her 10 years of elite netball she had never been involved in a game like it. Unexpected homecoming How many 40-year-olds — and mothers of five — can say they made their elite netball return 14 years after last pulling on the same dress? Liana Leota can. While she expected to settled into her new role as Southern Steel assistant coach for their opening game, Leota was a late call-up when co-captain Kate Heffernan was ruled out with a knee injury. Leota played nine minutes, finishing with seven feeds and three goal assists, in their loss to the Tactix. "I would do anything for this team" Leota told Sky Sport after the game. "Pulling on the dress for five, 10 minutes, I would do it all over again." But the real concern is around the seriousness of Heffernan's injury. Heffernan has been a mainstay since signing as a replacement player in 2018 and has established herself as a starting Silver Fern. She will be a big loss if she is sidelined for weeks. Naughty chair Did Aliyah Dunn warrant a suspension? The Steel shooter clipped the feet of defender Karin Burger as she tried to get out of the way for her landing space. But officials deemed it was dangerous play with Burger landing on the floor, and Dunn was suspended for two minutes. It was a tough task for the Steel without a key position on the court and there has been an outcry online from fans saying it was not warranted. Umpires cracked down on dangerous play last year in a bid to clean up the game. Finger on the Pulse The Pulse sent an early warning sign to the rest of the competition with their 57-44 win over the Magic. But the real head-scratcher was the Magic's performance. Many expected the Magic to make the top three for the first time this season — including commentators Jenny Woods, Anna Stanley and Adine Wilson — but their performance was well off the pace. Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio called it a humbling reality check. But if that is how the Pulse performed with players on limited minutes, and replacements taking to the court, their rematch of last year's final against the Mystics this weekend will be a humdinger.
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Injury woes for Heffernan before season opener
Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan. File photo: Getty Images Southern Steel co-captain Kate Heffernan is unlikely to play their season opener against the Mainland Tactix tonight after injuring her knee at training. But former Steel player and now assistant coach Liana Leota is ready to suit up if needed and has been named as a replacement player for the ANZ Premiership game. Coach Wendy Frew confirmed Heffernan, 25, was doubtful as they waited for her injury to be properly assessed. Leota, 40, played for the Steel from 2008 to 2011, had a three year stint with the Central Pulse and played in the Super League in the United Kingdom, where she also coached. Former Northern Stars player Khanye'-Lii Munro-Nonoa has also joined the team as a replacement player. "Obviously no team wants to be in a position where you're having to look at alternative options, but the reality is we have a couple of injuries which need to be managed so the smart decision here is to ensure we have good backup on the bench if we need it,'' Frew said. 'While I'm not sure Liana expected to be packing her sneakers and playing kit, we are lucky to have someone of her netball pedigree available and willing to step up if we need her to.'' Heffernan is the second casualty for the Steel. Defender Dakota Thomas had already been ruled out after carrying a niggle. Southern Blast defender Holly McRae will replace her.
