The Queensland Firebirds could go through season 2023 without a win, Fox Netball’s Catherine Cox has warned, as the side prepares to take on reigning premiers West Coast Fever on Sunday.
The Firebirds are the only winless side left in the competition after four rounds, losing by an average margin of nine goals this season.
Alarmingly, their next four weeks have them scheduled against last year’s four finalists – starting with the reigning champions in Round 5.
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“I’ve seen patches of what they’re capable of,” Cox said on Centre Circle.
“I have seen games where they’ve tinkered with that starting seven and I felt like they’ve got more spark out of it.
“They’ve put a (Macy) Gardner in the middle and a (Kim) Ravaillion, they’ve moved her to WD.
“It’s a hard one to know which line up is going to do it for you.
“They could go through this season without a win – they could be the first side to do that since 2018.
“They’re not easybeats but it could happen.”
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Fellow Centre Circle panellist Caitlin Bassett said the Firebirds were coming in to the season understrength without pregnant star Gretel Bueta who was a late squad withdrawal.
“They had the best goal attack in the world – they had Gretel out there,” Bassett said.
“It is a very different attacking line for the Firebirds this year.
“They don’t have an international in their line up – I think the reason why they don’t is they expected Gretel Bueta to be there. They almost didn’t need one when they had her there – she did so much of the heavy lifting.
“She is unstoppable.
“They’ve got a couple of not necessarily young players but new players … we have to take that into account as well.”
Bassett said she believed the Firebirds were falling down feeding star goaler Donnell Wallam.
“When they can get that ball to Donnell, and she is so dangerous, they are on fire,” she praised.
“It’s when the connection breaks down – that goal attack and wing attack position is so important.
“They are turning ball over … they are just not able to convert.
“Sometimes they are rushing the ball, they’re trying to launch it off the circle edge and trying to force it into Donnell which is putting huge pressure on her.”
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Cox said the Firebirds needed “a little bit of soul searching” to try and get their season back on track.
The Firebirds have plenty to celebrate in Sunday’s match with former skipper Gabi Simpson notches up game 150.
Simpson joins club greats Romelda Aiken-George (197) and Laura Geitz (169) as the only Firebirds to reach the 150-game milestone.
Players and fans will have yellow ribbons as a tribute to Simpson at Sunday’s match at Nissan Arena.
