Diamonds coach sees Fever progress
Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says an unheralded West Coast Fever midcourt holds the key to the team's fortunes lifting in 2015.
Alexander was in Perth for a flying visit last week and met Fever coach Stacey Rosman before watching training.
"It's probably more match- specific and more netball-skills-specific," Alexander said.
"The intensity has lifted, which is terrific. The players are really buying into the whole program that Stacey and her strength and conditioning team have put together, so that's exciting.
"Clearly they understand that in order for them to be successful they've got to be the ones taking responsibility for their decision-making and what they do and you can see that at training."
Alexander acknowledged West Coast had a star-studded attack line featuring Caitlin Bassett and Nat Medhurst, but said other areas of the court would be the difference as they pushed for a maiden finals appearance.
That group includes new captain Ashleigh Brazill, whose national aspirations have been derailed by injury over the past three years, Khao Watts, Shae Bolton and enthusiastic youngster Ingrid Colyer.
"I think you will see some improvement from the Fever, but also you don't want to put too much extra pressure on them," Alexander said.
"At this stage Fever have only two squad athletes in the Diamonds squad.
"You can't compare them say to a Queensland, who have got five squad members. It really depends on the improvements of those players outside the squad.
"Their centre court is not a Diamonds centre court just yet."
