Metcalf on Thunder Return: It is such as you’re coming dwelling once more

The England worldwide began her profession with the Yorkshire Jets, earlier than taking part in one season with the Manchester Thunder, two seasons for Wasps Netball after which transferring to Australia; “Everybody was so welcoming, I actually really feel like coming dwelling once more and I am actually excited”

Nat Metcalf is again within the Vitality Netball Superleague (Picture credit score: Touchlinepics Sports activities & Occasion Images)

Nat Metcalfe chatting with Sky Sports activities About her return to Vitality Netball Superleague after three years taking part in for NSW Swift in Australia’s Suncorp Tremendous Netball League.

Metcalfe, née Heathornthwaite, introduced in September final 12 months that she could be leaving Swift and returning to England for the 2023 season.

The 29-year-old joined Swift in the course of the 2018 season and has thrived in his atmosphere alongside fellow England worldwide Helen Hausby.

“At Swift, we attempt to instill a tradition of fine individuals who make nice gamers and Natalie is without doubt one of the greatest at each,” mentioned former Metcalf coach Briony Ackley.

“She has been spending a very long time away from her fiancé and household in very tough circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however that hasn’t modified her skilled fashion and the group that everybody has a lot appreciated.

Metcalf, who wed her now-husband Josh in December, took an terrible lot from her time in Australia.

“I used to be a full-time netball participant, that was my job and I completely cherished it,” mentioned the England worldwide. Sky Sports activities Hannah Wilkes.

“I used to be in a position to prepare day in and time out with everybody. The contact time you had with the membership and the coaches [was fantastic] Studying this fashion was actually thrilling.

“I’ve all the time all the time needed to exit and play there. I wasn’t positive if that may ever occur, and I used to be so grateful to have the ability to have that have and make it there as effectively.”

The Swifts actually had throughout Metcalf’s tenure with them, profitable titles in each 2019 and 2023. Previous to that, Metcalf performed a key position in Wasps’s Vitality Netball Superleague wins in 2017 and 2018.

Tamsin Greenway, Metcalfe’s former teammate and coach, is the one who charges the attacking participant extraordinarily extremely, as does England coach Jess Thirlby.

“She’s pleasant, optimistic and is aware of what it takes to win,” Thirlby mentioned of Metcalfe in 2020, after being chosen to steer England at a significant Nations Cup.

“I feel she’s developed extra of the audacity, power and resilience wanted to steer among the greatest phases and there is extra depth to her management now. She represents the values ​​and behaviors we care about a lot as Staff Roses and leads by instance in courtroom.”

Then Metcalfe proceeded to get an incredible take a look at streak. On high of her bodily output, her interplay with the gang led to lifts when the roses wanted them, and her assist for these round her, significantly Amy Carter, made her group higher, too.

Greenway has typically praised Metcalf’s work on offense and extra just lately Sky Sports activities Column, she defined why she was a significant a part of the Thunder’s undefeated begin to the 2023 season.

An damage prevented Metcalf from working for Thunder within the inaugural season, nevertheless, when she was in a position to flip to courtroom, it instantly elevated them to a better degree.

“Nat had solely 26 feeds throughout their 71-60 victory over the Sirens, which is the very best on the sector,” Greenway mentioned. “It is key of their playmaking and can proceed to tackle the highest groups in attackers.

“Nat additionally permits others to do their jobs; Carolyn O’Hanlon appears to be like again to her greatest within the center, trailing Metcalf, hitting gaps and feeding simply.”

Not solely does Metcalfe have a fantastic relationship with O’Hanlon in midfield, however she works seamlessly with goaltender Eleanor Cardwell.

“She’s nice to feed and he or she’s a superb egg,” Metcalfe mentioned.

“We now have a fantastic relationship on and off the pitch, so through the match we bounce on one another and speak about issues. If we have to change issues proper now, we’ll do it. It is a dream that feeds and it really works actually, actually exhausting.”

Getting into Monday’s match towards former Superleague champion Wasps, which goes by a rebuilding section, Thunder is undefeated.

Karen Gregg’s aspect have scored 355 targets of their 5 competitions to this point this season and all the time enter the season with the purpose of being there on the final day.

With Metcalfe being a part of 4 title-winning groups previously 5 years, Thunder has had one other skilled winner in his group and one who will do his greatest to verify they’re within the combine on the day of the Grand Remaining in early June.

“I might wish to win the title, who would not? All of us play Superleague with the identical ambition of eager to carry this trophy on the finish of the season,” she mentioned. “For me, it’s about getting work finished out of courtroom in addition to in courtroom.

“It is about not getting trapped in outcomes, winnings and losses too, it is about efficiency for me. If we play thunder and work exhausting for one another, the end result will converse for itself.”

Watch Manchester Thunder face the Wasps within the Vitality Netball Superleague dwell on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion, Area and Combine Monday night time, protection begins at 5pm.