English coach lauds Wallam's influence

November 03, 2022 07:42 PM HKT | By AAPNEWS
Image source: AAPNEWS

England coach Jess Thirlby wants Donnell Wallam's story celebrated after the Diamonds' shooter capped a dramatic few weeks with a commanding performance in her first Test start.

The Australian goal shooter made 25-of-26 shots in a four-goal win in Brisbane on Thursday night to seal the series 3-0.

Wallam had scored the match-winner in Newcastle after coming off the bench, but then missed the Sydney win with illness.

Through it all, she had battled tremendous scrutiny after the withdrawal of Hancock Prospecting's $15 million Netball Australia sponsorship deal.

A Noongar woman from Western Australia, Wallam raised concerns about vile historical comments made by Hancock Prospecting chair Gina Rinehart's late father Lang Hancock about the Indigenous population.

With that deal replaced by a new partnership with the Victorian government, almost 9000 fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre cheered Wallam's every touch.

Her efforts to push the scrutiny to one side even enamoured the English camp.

Thirlby knows her better than most, having seen Wallam dominate for the Leeds Rhinos before the West Australian's return to Super Netball with the Queensland Firebirds last season.

"For someone with great stature and presence she's quite diminutive in ways and quite a sensitive soul," the coach said.

"I warmed to watching her with Leeds, just beautiful to watch in terms of the warmth she radiated to her teammates.

"You knew she should and would get a break. Her story is a beautiful one and one to really celebrate.

"It's about being respectful, supportive and hopefully she can move through this now and concentrate on the netball and be supported through that journey."

Wallam made the most of her chances to give coach Stacey Marinkovich food for thought ahead of next year's World Cup, linking nicely with interim captain Paige Hadley to set up the decisive buffer.

"She's got a great future and is one we're going to have to do our homework on," Thirlby said.

"The Diamonds have more diversity now in terms of style and that's really great for Australian netball."


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