One last #blingiton tshirt drop-off to go. Great to meet coffeecup and TAJ before the semi starts.
I have it on good authority that Norma Plummer, Australian coach, wasn't concerned by last nights poor performance against Malawi. The lack of flow was to be expected, given Malawi's scrappy keepings-off style. Norma is apparently completely confident and raring to go against Jamaica. Reassuring to hear!
Back to our awesome seats. People are handing out gold wigs, aussie flag tattoos, it's a carnival atmosphere. The court announcer is doing a great job getting the crowd revved up, we're dancing, singing, chanting, waiting... The Diamonds come out to warm up to a huge reception, you can see they're blown away by all the support.
The national anthem sounds amazing being sung by so many aussie fans. Someone in the kiwi section next to ours makes a point of handing out Jamaican flags amongst them, apart from that and one small section of Jamaicans, there's not much support for the jammies. We love them, but not today.
The only slight surprise in the aussie starting lineup is that Green is starting ahead of Pitman at WA. It seemed Pitman had forced her way into the starting WA position, but given the timing in attack was so out last night, Norma has gone with Green instead. Finally we're underway, and from the first whistle the aussies are intense. They're playing the fast game, and looking very slick in attack. Green is playing like a woman possessed (or like a woman trying to win back a starting seven spot). Coxy and Medhurst are on song, the whole attack line has the jammies spinning with the speed and precision of their passing. They look a completely different team to last night.
The jammie twin towers are scoring but it's not looking completely convincing. The defence end are stifling the ball down court but the kiwi umpire is penalising them every time they breathe. Fuhrmann literally can't go near Fowler without being penalised. The aussie crowd is booing hard at umpire Bobbi Brown. Towards the end of the first quarter the aussies eek out a few turnovers and at quarter time we're up by 6 goals and have piled on 19 goals that quarter. The crowd goes off and gives them a standing ovation at the break. I look over at the kiwi section next to us and they are looking quite unhappy, stark contrast to how they were feeling an hour or so ago.
The procession continues in the second quarter, and up the other end the aussies are allowed to contest the ball a bit more in defence. They are so slick and fast, the jammies have nothing in defence and are struggling in attack. We all feel sorry for Romelda Aiken, adopted Australian, cos she's still stuck in GA and it's a disaster. Similar to England, the coach makes a myriad of changes, none of them intelligent or successful. Aiken remains at GA. Jammies down by 14 at half time. Kiwi supporters leaving in droves and those remaining behind look depressed at the prospect that the aussies have got their act together in a big way.
Bobbi Brown has taken a Xanax at half time and allows the aussie defence to contest the ball in the third quarter, resulting in even more turnovers and a great display of athleticism from Julie Corletto in particular. Green and Corletto are on track to be best on court for mine. Norma clears out the bench at three quarter time and it's wholesale changes, giving everyone except Erin Bell a run. The changes are seamless and the margin continues to open up. Jamaica look like they gave up at half time, they're shattered. Bell finally gets a run in the last five minutes after some nice fake-injury acting from Medhurst.
Jubilent scenes in the crowd at the end of the game, and the girls clearly appreciate it, giving us a hearty clap in return. Final score 82-46. Wouldn't be surprised if this is a record score and/or winning margin against Jamaica. I'm relieved that we're through to the gold medal play-off, not the bronze! You've got to be in it to win it!
Vin and I strategically hold up the Bling It On sign so that it appears in the background of captain Nat von Bertouch's post-game interview. I find out later that lots of people from home have seen it on TV, and apparently the commentary team have given us a mention for the tshirts and sign. Woohooo! Getting lots of compliments on our three matching 'diamond' necklaces too. Cheap bling can go a long way! Even Vicki Wilson, ex aussie captain compliments us on the necklaces as we walk past.
We decide it's the perfect time to stalk Sharelle McMahon with our face masks, so head over to where she's performing her radio commentary duties. We stand directly in her line of sight, face masks up, and wave simultaneously. She cracks up, looks horribly embarrassed and has to explain to the bloke she's talking to that 'they've made masks of my face' (Vin is a good lip reader). She gives us a wave and a huge grin. Job well done.
We head for the MRT (train) and Mel and I call in to Clarke Quay for a late dinner while Vin hits the sack. We're seated at a table next to Carol Byers (assistant coach Vixens), it's like netball royalty all around Singa. Singa has come alive, Clarke Quay has gone from being all but deserted this morning to a bustling and vibrant city by night. My kind of place!
We discuss our chances for tomorrow. That was one of the most comprehensive and polished performances I've seen from the Diamonds in a long time. After the NZ semi I was thinking NZ were clear favourites and in the box seat, but the Diamonds have thrown down the gauntlet. It could be anyone's championship. GO YOU AUSSIES!!
The only slight surprise in the aussie starting lineup is that Green is starting ahead of Pitman at WA. It seemed Pitman had forced her way into the starting WA position, but given the timing in attack was so out last night, Norma has gone with Green instead. Finally we're underway, and from the first whistle the aussies are intense. They're playing the fast game, and looking very slick in attack. Green is playing like a woman possessed (or like a woman trying to win back a starting seven spot). Coxy and Medhurst are on song, the whole attack line has the jammies spinning with the speed and precision of their passing. They look a completely different team to last night.
The jammie twin towers are scoring but it's not looking completely convincing. The defence end are stifling the ball down court but the kiwi umpire is penalising them every time they breathe. Fuhrmann literally can't go near Fowler without being penalised. The aussie crowd is booing hard at umpire Bobbi Brown. Towards the end of the first quarter the aussies eek out a few turnovers and at quarter time we're up by 6 goals and have piled on 19 goals that quarter. The crowd goes off and gives them a standing ovation at the break. I look over at the kiwi section next to us and they are looking quite unhappy, stark contrast to how they were feeling an hour or so ago.
The procession continues in the second quarter, and up the other end the aussies are allowed to contest the ball a bit more in defence. They are so slick and fast, the jammies have nothing in defence and are struggling in attack. We all feel sorry for Romelda Aiken, adopted Australian, cos she's still stuck in GA and it's a disaster. Similar to England, the coach makes a myriad of changes, none of them intelligent or successful. Aiken remains at GA. Jammies down by 14 at half time. Kiwi supporters leaving in droves and those remaining behind look depressed at the prospect that the aussies have got their act together in a big way.
Bobbi Brown has taken a Xanax at half time and allows the aussie defence to contest the ball in the third quarter, resulting in even more turnovers and a great display of athleticism from Julie Corletto in particular. Green and Corletto are on track to be best on court for mine. Norma clears out the bench at three quarter time and it's wholesale changes, giving everyone except Erin Bell a run. The changes are seamless and the margin continues to open up. Jamaica look like they gave up at half time, they're shattered. Bell finally gets a run in the last five minutes after some nice fake-injury acting from Medhurst.
Jubilent scenes in the crowd at the end of the game, and the girls clearly appreciate it, giving us a hearty clap in return. Final score 82-46. Wouldn't be surprised if this is a record score and/or winning margin against Jamaica. I'm relieved that we're through to the gold medal play-off, not the bronze! You've got to be in it to win it!
Vin and I strategically hold up the Bling It On sign so that it appears in the background of captain Nat von Bertouch's post-game interview. I find out later that lots of people from home have seen it on TV, and apparently the commentary team have given us a mention for the tshirts and sign. Woohooo! Getting lots of compliments on our three matching 'diamond' necklaces too. Cheap bling can go a long way! Even Vicki Wilson, ex aussie captain compliments us on the necklaces as we walk past.
We decide it's the perfect time to stalk Sharelle McMahon with our face masks, so head over to where she's performing her radio commentary duties. We stand directly in her line of sight, face masks up, and wave simultaneously. She cracks up, looks horribly embarrassed and has to explain to the bloke she's talking to that 'they've made masks of my face' (Vin is a good lip reader). She gives us a wave and a huge grin. Job well done.
We head for the MRT (train) and Mel and I call in to Clarke Quay for a late dinner while Vin hits the sack. We're seated at a table next to Carol Byers (assistant coach Vixens), it's like netball royalty all around Singa. Singa has come alive, Clarke Quay has gone from being all but deserted this morning to a bustling and vibrant city by night. My kind of place!
We discuss our chances for tomorrow. That was one of the most comprehensive and polished performances I've seen from the Diamonds in a long time. After the NZ semi I was thinking NZ were clear favourites and in the box seat, but the Diamonds have thrown down the gauntlet. It could be anyone's championship. GO YOU AUSSIES!!
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