Netball
AAP 6y

New-look Magpies attack on the rise

Netball

The burgeoning partnership of shooting duo Caitlin Thwaites and Erin Bell was a key component in Collingwood's first Super Netball win of the season, according to Magpies coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell.

After back-to-back losses to open their 2018 campaign, Magpies Netball won all four quarters against the Adelaide Thunderbirds to close out Saturday's comprehensive 70-50 victory at Hisense Arena.

Bell moved to Collingwood from the Thunderbirds in the off-season to help solve the Magpie's woes at goal attack and Keppich-Birrell feels her combination with Thwaites is starting to pay dividends.

"There is more opportunity for Caitlin - we are getting used to a different dynamic in that circle," Keppich-Birrell said.

"Erin's contribution is just amazing, it draws a defender off (Thwaites).

"I think it keeps building and that consistency over four quarters is something we are really striving for."

Thwaites, Super Netball's leading goal scorer last season, finished with 55 goals from 57 attempts that included a third-quarter blitz to swing a tight contest in the Magpies' favour.

Star centre Kim Ravaillion missed the game with a knee injury but the Magpies' midcourt didn't miss a beat with Shae Brown filling in admirably and captain Madi Robinson (37 feeds and 31 goal assists) working tirelessly across four quarters from wing attack.

"We have a really great program where we have 17 players who can all take the court out there in that Magpies outfit," Keppich-Birrell said.

"Of course, we will always miss (Ravaillion) out there, she's a really important part of our team, but we know that the numbers are there and we've got the depth."

The form of Sharni Layton also pleased Keppich-Birrell with the high-profile goal keeper thrilling the home crowd with four intercepts while locked in a tough battle with Thunderbirds shooter Shimona Nelson.

"Every time she takes to the court, whether it's training or in a match, she just keeps improving," she said of Layton.

"That's what we are after for Sharni and we want to make sure that the (defensive) unit keeps improving.

"Sometimes it will be her that gets her hands on the ball but other times it will be the people out the front so as a unit, they are really coming along."

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