Green keen to sidestep Brazill
Kimberlee Green’s first mission at Perth Arena tomorrow morning is to avoid a clash of heads with her opposite number Ashleigh Brazill.
The NSW Swifts captain will lead her team into battle against West Coast Fever at the world-class venue, knowing that a win will give them the right to host next Friday night’s Australian conference elimination final.
But Australian Diamonds star Green has her most recent clash with Brazill and Fever fresh in the memory.
The teams could not be separated when they faced off in round four in a 59-59 draw, with Green forced to watch the end of the game on the sidelines after clashing heads with Brazill and suffering concussion.
Brazill again proved she was one of the toughest players in the competition last weekend when she tried to stay on court after colliding with Adelaide defender Eboni Beckford-Chambers in mid air and hitting the floor hard.
“Ash is a tough cookie, a very tough cookie,” Green said. “Trying to stay away from Ash’s head would be amazing. “I think there are a couple of times we’ve had big hits. “That’s just the nature of both of us. “We are just so ball hungry and are wanting that ball for the team that we would go and do anything for it. “I’m not expecting anything different this weekend from Braz, but I’ll be trying to stay away from the head.”
Green was so badly affected by the hit that she missed the following game too.
But the midcourter said the medical staff had handled it well and she had suffered no recurrence since.
“I was quite sick to be completely honest,” she said. “I was not allowed to do anything until I was symptom free. “And when I say anything that means just going around the block for a walk so that took me a week before I was allowed to do any sort of exercise.”
Green, 29, said the Swifts always enjoyed their trips to Perth and would enjoy the atmosphere of an Arena packed with Fever fans.
NSW have won their past four games but have been let down by three draws this season.
“It’s always a nice trip for us to get away, be away from everything,” Green said. “If they get 10,000, that would amazing.
“We like big games just full stop and we love the challenge. “That (the last game against Fever) game was so intense. “Both teams will be firing to try and get a result.”
Green denied their experience in big games and finals would have an advantage over West Coast, who are embarking on their maiden finals appearance.
“Fever have had great players for many years,” she said. “They have done really well this year and I think they’ve found their feet. “It’s going to be really challenging. “The match ups across the court are really even.”
