Re-establishing links into the shooting circle has taken some time for Trident Homes Tactix’ Samon Nathan but the wing attack believes connections through the court took a “major shift” ahead of their ANZ Premiership match against the Magic.
Hit by Covid-19 just weeks out from the start of the elite netball league was not an ideal preparation for the midcourter who struggled in the opening round to reconnect with the Tactix shooting circle – something she made look effortless last season.
There were patches of attacking dominance in the bonus-point loss to the Stars last week and hitting the road for Monday night’s match with the Magic in Tauranga, Nathan has finally felt a move in the right direction now that she is back to training at full strength.
“It’s starting to feel good again,” she said of her connection with both Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit in the shooting circle.
“Our emphasis has been on connections, talking right through court and I think that really showed against the Stars. We just hit it hard in the warm-up and we came out firing in the first quarter. Now it is about doing that for the whole game and not go through those little lulls.
“We had a major shift in the right direction which everyone felt but we’re looking for more.”
Nathan only returned to the training court, albeit on managed minutes, in the week leading into their season opener against the Steel and admits to some nerves before bibbing up for the match.
“I returned back into the team environment, but I was still limited in what training I could do so going into that first game I was really nervous. I hadn’t had a normal prep week and just didn’t really know how I would feel out there,” she said. “Those last two or three minutes in each quarter, I could definitely feel the fatigue, but I have been feeling better every time I get on court.
“I’m keeping in touch with Lesley (Nicol), our doctor, and she keeps a good eye on us. I am trying to push as much as I can but also being honest with myself – it is a fine line.”
Playing in her fourth season for the Tactix, Nathan is looking to back up a strong 2021 season when she cemented her starting spot on the wing.
Her ability to send quick ball into shooting circle has become her strength since moving south to make Christchurch her netballing home although Nathan says she wants to clean up on some of the “basic skills” when she lines up against the Magic in Round 3 of the ANZ Premiership.
“There has just been some of those sloppy plays in critical moments so it’s about tidying up on those basics – the final feed into the circle, placement wise or just clearing hands. I really want to nail those this week,” she said.
“We always have a bit of a grind game against the Magic and we’re expecting that again. They’re a really new look team but I suspect it’s going to be that tough grind because we both really want that win.”
Monday night’s game marks the start of a tough 7-day stretch for the Tactix who take on the Magic in Tauranga and return to Auckland five days later for a double-header against the Stars and Mystics in Round 4.
“It is a busy week coming up, but I think everyone looks forward to a hard week of training to really sweat it out and prepare for those tough games. We’re grateful we are all still able to be out there playing.”
