In the wake of Saturday’s first win of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season, and first ever at Nissan Arena, the smile on one Firebirds’ face was larger than most.
As the longest serving player in the history of the club, Romelda Aiken has experienced close to everything you can in a purple dress
Aiken has been the heartbeat of the Queensland side for the past decade and, following a frustrating 2019 season marred by injury, the Jamaican International has returned in ominous form.
She sits second in goals scored and first in offensive rebounds across all players in the competition through the first six rounds, prompting Head Coach Roselee Jencke OAM to suggest her star Goal Shooter has “wound back the clock.”
For Aiken, it’s all been about getting back to basics.
“I’ve really focussed on taking ownership of winning my own position and dominating what I can do out there,” Aiken said.
“It was a lot of hard work during pre-season to get to where I am and I just want to get my game back to where I know it can be.”
“It’s exciting that every week I’m still in a position to show up for a game and lead through my actions on court.”
A vintage performance, including 41 goals and 10 rebounds, saw Aiken win Player of the Match honours in the Firebirds victory over West Coast Fever on Saturday.
The fan favourite also brought the crowd to their feet with her first Suncorp Super Shot of the season – in a potential sign of the influence playing alongside the next generation of Firebirds’ shooting stars is having on one of the club’s greats.
Aiken says the confidence amongst the goalers is growing with each game.
“At the end of the day it goes back to all the groundwork that we do in training on continuing to build our combinations,” Aiken said.
“This is the first season we’ve played together and the responsibility and the experience of leading our young attacking line is an opportunity I’m really enjoying.”
One of those new faces is Tippah Dwan – although you get the distinct feeling she won’t be unfamiliar for long.
The 20-year-old Goal Attack had her best game of the season to date in Saturday’s win, with 20 goals, 8 assists, 17 feeds and even 2 deflections.
Aiken believes the Firebirds’ Purple Family should be very excited by Dwan’s potential.
“Tippah takes feedback on really well and quickly adjusts which is impressive for someone still so early in their career,” Aiken said.
“She has worked extremely hard during the off season and if you ask anyone in the team who has put their hand and grabbed their opportunity the best, they’ll tell you it’s Tippah”
“Every single week she listens and she improves because each time she steps out there on court she wants to make everyone proud.”
The Firebirds are set to take on GIANTS Netball in a highly anticipated Round 7 clash at Nissan Arena tomorrow night, with both sides locked on 6 competition points.
