With just two rounds to play in an incredibly tight ANZ Premiership regular season, the Central Pulse have been boosted with the return of two key players from injury.
Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon and Amelia Walmsley have both spent two months on the sidelines but returned to play together in the Pulse's recent win over the Magic.
Gordon joined Adam Cooper to look ahead to the penultimate-round match against the Mystics in Auckland on Saturday.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We just two rounds to play in an incredibly tight
A and Z Premiership regular season. The central poles have
been boosted with the return of two key players from injury.
Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon and Amelia Walmsley both spent about
two months on the sidelines, but they returned to play
together right at the exact same moment they ran out
back together in the recent went Over the Magic last weekend.
(00:23):
Maddie Gordon joins us now to talk about her injury
and the season. Where it's at here on the Illsport
breakfast this morning morning to hear Maddie and how good
was being able to finally get back out on court
after such a frustrating, lengthy injury.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You know, it was cool to be out there with
the girls, and obviously ten weeks of rehab and trying
to get my fitness back, it was to be able
to sit out on that court with them.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Tell us what emotionally, how it is going through the
whole process of an injury, right learning the news, then
dealing with the recovery and planning and then you know,
getting to their final stages of recovery. Can you talk
us through how it all sort of played out for you.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, of course, it was definitely tough. When I got
the call of what initially happened. I got told club
weeks so that was awful news that it was good
to know that I had like a time frame and
that I could be back to play a couple of games.
So I think that's what kept me more motivated. Like
I thought, I handled it really well. I think just
knowing that I could be back out there again. It
was definitely tough, but I have gone through it before,
(01:17):
so then again I knew what it was all about.
I was still around the team, I was still gymming,
I was still at teaming ebroy training and obviously doing
my own work behind the scenes. But no, it was
really cool to be able to I came back two
weeks earlier than they thought I was, so it was
cool to see that all my hard work had paid off.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
What was the hardest part of the whole process for you?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I think it probably would have been like seeing the
girls go to the away games and play without us,
like being there the support. I think that was probably the.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Toughest thing, which in turn was I mean, I saw
you and Amelia always on the sidelines at the home games.
Was that important being part of the bench, part of
the whole team during as many games as you could.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, definitely. I think it was awesome that we were
able to go to all the home games and obviously
have our input there wish all she had going on
the bench to play that role. And then we could
also go into the changing room at halftime, which was
still cool to give because obviously it's so different being
able to watch on the sideline and being on the court,
So it was still cool that we could put our
input and I think the girls really valued that as well.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And speaking of Amelia, she obviously had a very similar
timeframe for her injury. You managed to both be back
on court at the exact same time. But was it
nice being able to have someone else that was in
recovery mode as well, just to sort of, you know,
have to have someone to bounce off.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, definitely. They started to say that our flat was
cursed at the beginning, back flat with Amelia and repopling down,
but it was up. Yeah, unfortunate that she got injured
as well, but it was nice that again we were
flatmates and we could you know, do all of our
rehab together. Train together, and then it actually was a
bit more special that we could go on the court
at the same time together because it had kind of
been through the same thing. So yeah, it was a
(02:52):
nice feeling.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So I just started twenty minutes on court. Where you're
happy with that? And how did you pull through? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:57):
No, definitely it was cool to get out. Yeah, yeah,
it was kid this wrecking going on, especially because it
was such like a high intensity game, but no, it
was good to get that under my belt. Definitely lung
for hurting, but I think that's what was to be expected,
not playing in ten weeks. But hopefully that's just first
game out of the way and it'll feel better for
the next one.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
The Pulse have had some nail biers while you've been off,
but also had some great wins, and obviously at the
moment they've fought back to be top of the ladder.
What observations did you make of the way the season
was going from the sidelines.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, no, I was so impressed while they've been going
each game, I felt like they were getting a little
bit better. We obviously had that blip against the Magic
a while ago, but I feel like that's what the
team really needed. I felt like that was a good
loss for us at that time. But credit to all
the girls who have swimmed for the injured ones. I
think we've all done such a great job and we
(03:49):
definitely wouldn't be where we are without them. And yet
just obviously a big up to Cleary as well, Like,
I really don't think we would be here without her,
And it's cool that she could come back to the
Pulse environment and play for us.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
How different are you and her as a center? And
you know, what will you bring to the team that
will add to what she's contributed at this point of
the season.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, I feel we don't have much difference in our
style of play. Like I feel like we both just
go on there, do the job, do all the basics right,
which is cool. But yeah, hopefully I can just bring
like a bit more energy and lift the girls up there.
She's been doing a great job, so I don't really
want to be doing much different to her because it's
been working perfectly. So yeah, I think maybe I just
(04:30):
bring probably more of an aerial game, so hopefully I
can once I get in there. I can really like contest,
especially in that defense at third in the air.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, and after the nineteen or so minutes last week,
what's sort of your expectations on on minutes going forward,
bearing in mind there's a couple of big games to
come and then hopefully a few more after that.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, No, it's definitely a tough road to the finals
for us, but if all's going well, I should be
increasing every game, So yeah, hopefully we should see more of.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Me things crossed Mystics next and then finishing with the Tactics.
It is, as you say, a really big couple of
games two of your main rivals from the year. Can
you tell us though specifically this Mystics game, you last
round robin match against them this season. What are you
expecting up on Aukland this weekend.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, I definitely think it's going to be an intense match,
especially obviously we're fighting we want to get a home
final and they'll also be wanting to finish third on
the table. So I think it's definitely going to be
a huge game. Both teams really want to win and
I guess prove themselves. And I think obviously we've had
a couple of injuries, They've had a couple of injuries,
but everyone's kind of back now. So I think it's
(05:37):
going to be a good contested game.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, and then the Tactics to finish the round robin,
which I think many people think, well probably should be
the final of the competition as well. But what a
rivalry that's built between these two sides this year. What
have you made of the couple of games. It's pretty
eavenly poise at the moment.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah. Well, obviously I've missed both the games beforehand playing
the tactics, but no, they've definitely got a strong team.
I think they're strong throughout the whole court, so that'll
definitely be a hard push. I think it's also a
bit like they've obviously got two x poles players in
there that we all had love play it again, so
I think it would kind of be a little bit
of bragging right too.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, exactly, And just on the home final you mentioned
how important is that for the team of you know,
doing the best you can to to try and lock
that away and get a game hopefully at TSB or
if not at Potty Door.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, no, we're really hoping. We obviously love our spands.
We think we've got the best pand in the country.
Like we usually always sell out our home games. I
remember our twenty twenty two final that we had at
home was an unbelievable experience, or it'd be cool to
experience that again. But also, yeah, just give it back
to them, and obviously we missed out last year and
(06:42):
being in the final, so I think just yeah, showing
them and having their support because obviously they're huge to
us and we feel like they are our eighth player
and they get us across that line.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
And Maddie just finding on the back of your international
season last year with the injury and things, that you're
confident that the time frames have worked out that you
can stay ready in the mix for for international duties.
But later in the year.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah, definitely. I think it looks a bit different this year,
like the team's not selected off A and Z, there
will be trial, so I think that kind of works
in my favor, especially because I haven't had much games
in A and Z to show what I really could
do out there. So I think two or three weeks
off after A and Z before the Furns trial, so
that will be my focus to get myself back one
(07:23):
hundred percent so I can really go in there and
not be on manage load for trials and just show
them what I got.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Wonderful Maddie. Well, I know everyone listening that's been watching
the Pols this season, we'll be delighted to send you
back on court. So all the best for these big
few weeks left in the A and Z Premiership And
thanks for chatting here on News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Awesome, Thank you so much, Maddie.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Gordon back in action for the Central Poles and they've
got that big dame against the Mystics four o'clock up
in Auckland this safter and you can actually catch it
live on TV two, TV and Z showing the Saturday
games for free in the A and Z Netball Premiership.
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast us on iHeartRadio
We just two rounds to play in an incredibly tight
A and Z Premiership regular season. The central poles have
been boosted with the return of two key players from injury.
Silver Ferns Maddy Gordon and Amelia Walmsley both spent about
two months on the sidelines, but they returned to play
together right at the exact same moment they ran out
back together in the recent went Over the Magic last weekend.
(00:23):
Maddie Gordon joins us now to talk about her injury
and the season. Where it's at here on the Illsport
breakfast this morning morning to hear Maddie and how good
was being able to finally get back out on court
after such a frustrating, lengthy injury.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You know, it was cool to be out there with
the girls, and obviously ten weeks of rehab and trying
to get my fitness back, it was to be able
to sit out on that court with them.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Tell us what emotionally, how it is going through the
whole process of an injury, right learning the news, then
dealing with the recovery and planning and then you know,
getting to their final stages of recovery. Can you talk
us through how it all sort of played out for you.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, of course, it was definitely tough. When I got
the call of what initially happened. I got told club
weeks so that was awful news that it was good
to know that I had like a time frame and
that I could be back to play a couple of games.
So I think that's what kept me more motivated. Like
I thought, I handled it really well. I think just
knowing that I could be back out there again. It
was definitely tough, but I have gone through it before,
(01:17):
so then again I knew what it was all about.
I was still around the team, I was still gymming,
I was still at teaming ebroy training and obviously doing
my own work behind the scenes. But no, it was
really cool to be able to I came back two
weeks earlier than they thought I was, so it was
cool to see that all my hard work had paid off.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
What was the hardest part of the whole process for you?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I think it probably would have been like seeing the
girls go to the away games and play without us,
like being there the support. I think that was probably the.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Toughest thing, which in turn was I mean, I saw
you and Amelia always on the sidelines at the home games.
Was that important being part of the bench, part of
the whole team during as many games as you could.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, definitely. I think it was awesome that we were
able to go to all the home games and obviously
have our input there wish all she had going on
the bench to play that role. And then we could
also go into the changing room at halftime, which was
still cool to give because obviously it's so different being
able to watch on the sideline and being on the court,
So it was still cool that we could put our
input and I think the girls really valued that as well.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And speaking of Amelia, she obviously had a very similar
timeframe for her injury. You managed to both be back
on court at the exact same time. But was it
nice being able to have someone else that was in
recovery mode as well, just to sort of, you know,
have to have someone to bounce off.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yeah, definitely. They started to say that our flat was
cursed at the beginning, back flat with Amelia and repopling down,
but it was up. Yeah, unfortunate that she got injured
as well, but it was nice that again we were
flatmates and we could you know, do all of our
rehab together. Train together, and then it actually was a
bit more special that we could go on the court
at the same time together because it had kind of
been through the same thing. So yeah, it was a
(02:52):
nice feeling.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So I just started twenty minutes on court. Where you're
happy with that? And how did you pull through? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:57):
No, definitely it was cool to get out. Yeah, yeah,
it was kid this wrecking going on, especially because it
was such like a high intensity game, but no, it
was good to get that under my belt. Definitely lung
for hurting, but I think that's what was to be expected,
not playing in ten weeks. But hopefully that's just first
game out of the way and it'll feel better for
the next one.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
The Pulse have had some nail biers while you've been off,
but also had some great wins, and obviously at the
moment they've fought back to be top of the ladder.
What observations did you make of the way the season
was going from the sidelines.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, no, I was so impressed while they've been going
each game, I felt like they were getting a little
bit better. We obviously had that blip against the Magic
a while ago, but I feel like that's what the
team really needed. I felt like that was a good
loss for us at that time. But credit to all
the girls who have swimmed for the injured ones. I
think we've all done such a great job and we
(03:49):
definitely wouldn't be where we are without them. And yet
just obviously a big up to Cleary as well, Like,
I really don't think we would be here without her,
And it's cool that she could come back to the
Pulse environment and play for us.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
How different are you and her as a center? And
you know, what will you bring to the team that
will add to what she's contributed at this point of
the season.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, I feel we don't have much difference in our
style of play. Like I feel like we both just
go on there, do the job, do all the basics right,
which is cool. But yeah, hopefully I can just bring
like a bit more energy and lift the girls up there.
She's been doing a great job, so I don't really
want to be doing much different to her because it's
been working perfectly. So yeah, I think maybe I just
(04:30):
bring probably more of an aerial game, so hopefully I
can once I get in there. I can really like contest,
especially in that defense at third in the air.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, and after the nineteen or so minutes last week,
what's sort of your expectations on on minutes going forward,
bearing in mind there's a couple of big games to
come and then hopefully a few more after that.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, No, it's definitely a tough road to the finals
for us, but if all's going well, I should be
increasing every game, So yeah, hopefully we should see more of.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Me things crossed Mystics next and then finishing with the Tactics.
It is, as you say, a really big couple of
games two of your main rivals from the year. Can
you tell us though specifically this Mystics game, you last
round robin match against them this season. What are you
expecting up on Aukland this weekend.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, I definitely think it's going to be an intense match,
especially obviously we're fighting we want to get a home
final and they'll also be wanting to finish third on
the table. So I think it's definitely going to be
a huge game. Both teams really want to win and
I guess prove themselves. And I think obviously we've had
a couple of injuries, They've had a couple of injuries,
but everyone's kind of back now. So I think it's
(05:37):
going to be a good contested game.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Yeah, and then the Tactics to finish the round robin,
which I think many people think, well probably should be
the final of the competition as well. But what a
rivalry that's built between these two sides this year. What
have you made of the couple of games. It's pretty
eavenly poise at the moment.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah. Well, obviously I've missed both the games beforehand playing
the tactics, but no, they've definitely got a strong team.
I think they're strong throughout the whole court, so that'll
definitely be a hard push. I think it's also a
bit like they've obviously got two x poles players in
there that we all had love play it again, so
I think it would kind of be a little bit
of bragging right too.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, exactly, And just on the home final you mentioned
how important is that for the team of you know,
doing the best you can to to try and lock
that away and get a game hopefully at TSB or
if not at Potty Door.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, no, we're really hoping. We obviously love our spands.
We think we've got the best pand in the country.
Like we usually always sell out our home games. I
remember our twenty twenty two final that we had at
home was an unbelievable experience, or it'd be cool to
experience that again. But also, yeah, just give it back
to them, and obviously we missed out last year and
(06:42):
being in the final, so I think just yeah, showing
them and having their support because obviously they're huge to
us and we feel like they are our eighth player
and they get us across that line.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
And Maddie just finding on the back of your international
season last year with the injury and things, that you're
confident that the time frames have worked out that you
can stay ready in the mix for for international duties.
But later in the year.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah, definitely. I think it looks a bit different this year,
like the team's not selected off A and Z, there
will be trial, so I think that kind of works
in my favor, especially because I haven't had much games
in A and Z to show what I really could
do out there. So I think two or three weeks
off after A and Z before the Furns trial, so
that will be my focus to get myself back one
(07:23):
hundred percent so I can really go in there and
not be on manage load for trials and just show
them what I got.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Wonderful Maddie. Well, I know everyone listening that's been watching
the Pols this season, we'll be delighted to send you
back on court. So all the best for these big
few weeks left in the A and Z Premiership And
thanks for chatting here on News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Awesome, Thank you so much, Maddie.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Gordon back in action for the Central Poles and they've
got that big dame against the Mystics four o'clock up
in Auckland this safter and you can actually catch it
live on TV two, TV and Z showing the Saturday
games for free in the A and Z Netball Premiership.
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast us on iHeartRadio
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