In the run up to their bronze medal match against Jamaica, we chat to Stacey Francis to get the low down on that all important semi-final clash with Australia and what they’re doing to ensure they don’t go home empty handed…

It was all level until half time, did you feel like you deserved to be ahead at that point?

I don’t know whether it was a case of feeling like we deserved to have been ahead, however, we certainly wish that when we had the chances we had pushed on with our lead. There where a few crucial moments throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter, that we ought to have capitalised on in order to potentially close the game out. The score certainly reflected the game at the half time point, both teams were evenly matched and there was a competitive contest going on out on court.

Do you think the pressure of it being a match that could potentially send you into the final made a big difference?

I think that the nerves are undoubtedly amped up a notch or two when you know that the game is a semi-final and the result of it will dictate whether you can play for that gold medal you are working for. The pressure is only as big as you put on yourself though. Any time we step out there on court we are looking to put out that perfect performance and play to the best of our abilities in order to beat an opponent. If anything, the bigger matches can bring out the best in a player!!

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Related stories:

Stacey Francis at the Commonwealth Games: part five ^[1]

Stacey Francis at the Commonwealth Games: part four ^[2]

Stacey Francis at the Commonwealth Games: part three ^[3]

Stacey Francis at the Commonwealth Games: Post two ^[4]

Stacey Francis blogs from the Commonwealth Games: Post one ^[5]

Netball: Could YOU Be The Team? ^[6]

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It wasn’t until the last quarter that the Australians really clamped down - shutting down games is a specialty of theirs, were you expecting such a strong finish from them?

We were definitely expecting a strong finish, no international team is going to just lay down and let you take a game away from them. Especially a game that means there is an opportunity for a guaranteed medal! While we expected a strong finish from them, I think they expected it of us too!

What do you feel you need to work on before your bronze medal play off against Jamaica?

Essentially now is not the time to be changing anything major and we were very happy with the things that we did well in the semi-final. Against Jamaica we are just looking to put out four consistent quarters and really punish our opposition when we have the chance and take the game away. It is crucial that you take a lead when you have it and continue to build on it and push on so that they feel there is no way back into the game.

Is there anything you need to watch out for in the Jamaican’s game that could rock the boat?

Both ourselves and Jamaica know each other very well and we played each other only about a month ago in the lead up to CWG’s. We will certainly be looking out for their two tall GS (Aiken and Fowler) their play making GA and centre court girls, and flying defensive players.

Stacey x