One name has been dominating Suncorp Super Netball conversations in the days following an action packed weekend of games.
Tippah Dwan.
In a round that featured a draw and a buzzer beating Suncorp Super Shot victory, it was the individual performance of the Queensland Goal Attack that stole the headlines.
Dwan finished Saturday’s game with 37 centre pass receives, 21 feeds, 14 assists, 3 deflections and an intercept to go along with her 26 goals, including 8 Suncorp Super Shots.
Dwan’s best game of the 2020 season earned her a record breaking 142.5 Nissan Net Points, surpassing the mark previously held by her mentor, Diamonds Goal Attack and reigning Liz Ellis Diamond, Gretel Bueta.
The 20-year-old said the record was news to her after the game.
“No I had no idea - it’s quite funny to take that off Grets,” Dwan said.
“She’s taught me so much, for a few years now, and I really take her advice to heart which keeps me up.”
Dwan’s individual feats against the defending Premiers are even more impressive when you consider they came in just her tenth game at the Suncorp Super Netball level.
Having first joined the Queensland Firebirds squad as a training partner in 2017 while she was still a Grade 12 student at Sommerville House in Brisbane, Dwan was elevated to the fulltime squad for the 2019 campaign, only to be subsequently ruled out for the entire season with a frustrating Lisfranc injury in her foot.
She rejoined the Firebirds squad at the beginning of this year as a training partner and, when news broke of Bueta’s pregnancy, was afforded a window of opportunity.
One she has grabbed with both hands.
Dwan said there was one primary driver behind her impressive debut season.
“I think it’s just confidence - I feel like the girls around me have faith in me to take those shots which fills me with confidence of my own.”
“Once you get that first shot you just know it’s going in, which just allows you to turn and shoot without hesitation whenever you’re in the circle.”
Dwan also credited Head Coach Roselee Jencke OAM with her form, saying her faith in her players drives continual improvement.
“She doesn’t say too much, she just lets Romelda and I play on our instincts.”
“Our connection is just so on point right now as a result so it’s important we keep that momentum going.”
The young Goal Attack is part of a core group of Firebirds including Defenders Tara Hincliffe and Kim Jenner, and midcourters Mahalia Cassidy, Jemma Mi Mi and Macy Gardner, all under the age of 24.
Dwan says they are well aware of the group’s potential.
“With time it could be a really amazing thing if we stick together.”
“We are really focussed on building those connections, which you can already see growing after just 10 games, so it will only get better from here.”
The Queensland Firebirds have touched down in Adelaide for their first away trip of the season, as they prepare to face the Thunderbirds at Priceline Stadium tomorrow night.
Dwan acknowledged the importance of building on the momentum of beating the Swifts.
“That was undoubtedly our best game as a collective unit so far this season.”
“There isn’t too much time to think about each game this year with the short turnarounds which is good in many respects as it forces you to focus on the next challenge.”
“We always seem to bring it for those weekend games though, so we really need to ensure we carry this momentum into our clash against the Thunderbirds.”
Tomorrow night’s game is broadcast LIVE and uninterrupted on Telstra TV and the Netball LIVE app from 7:30pm AEST.
