Netball Super League | London Pulse’s Adio: Funmi told me to be fearless

Credit: Getty Images/Netball Super League

Fearless Halimat Adio praised her partnership with fellow defensive powerhouse Funmi Fadoju for turning the tide for London Pulse.

Last year’s beaten finalists had to overcome an eight-goal deficit against Severn Stars to win 52-48 and claim the bronze medal at the Netball Super League Grand Final at the Resorts World Arena.

Player of the Match Adio only came into the game in the second quarter with Sam Bird’s decision to name an unchanged starting seven from their regular season win over Stars not quite paying off early on.

“Coming into the game, I just needed to play how I normally play,” Adio said. “I think it was really important that us as a defensive unit were setting things up for each other and playing how we usually do.

“And then in the second half, Funmi said I should just be a bit fearless and go for ball and that is all I was thinking about.

Talk about putting your body on the line 🤯

💪 @Pulse_Netball‘s defence giving everything they’ve got for this third place finish. #NSL2024 | #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/3QpdSE7lo8

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) June 29, 2024

“We know how these teams can play so we were just making sure we implement everything we have done at training.”

After Pulse created an early lead, Stars roared in front to hold a commanding advantage before Adio entered the fray.

Her arrival on court saw Fadoju move to her preferred goal defence and captain Zara Everitt switch to wing defence.

Another impactful substitution from Bird was to bring on Brie Grierson at wing attack for Nichole Taljaard as Pulse clicked both in defence and attack.

They cut the half-time lead to just five and Stars’ advantage disappeared within minutes of the restart.

Adio added: “Funmi plays a massive role, me and Funmi have been playing together for five years and we just know each other and where each other will be.

“When Funmi is at goal defence it is really important that she is there because she knows how to turn over the ball from there and she listens to my calls really well.

Big game player 💥@FadojuFunmi with a stunning aerial interception then taken to goal quickly by @Pulse_netball as they narrow the gap to just two 🤏#NSL2024 l #SeeUsNow pic.twitter.com/so7ylOjyQH

— Netball Super League (@NetballSL) June 29, 2024

“That is important to have a goal defence that listens to you and I listen to her.”

Pulse’s thrilling late win opened up the Grand Final in perfect fashion in front of an attendance never previously seen at the showpiece of the season.

The big event does not just matter to the fans with Adio believing it spurs the players and the league on as attentions begin to turn towards NSL 2.0.

“We always like to say we are making history and making it to the third/fourth play-off we have made history there,” she said.

“Every team wants to come out with the win and that was really important to us.

“Severn Stars had nothing to lose as a team unfortunately going out of the league, but we are still there, and we want to show why we are still in the Super League and we did that with this win.

“Playing in set-ups and arenas like this makes it feel real, I have been a part of the Super League for seven years and when I started with Pulse we weren’t getting the crowds we are now.

“Now we have loads of fans and playing in an arena like this with everyone supporting you, it is so important to have this and perform for the crowd and hopefully, we can keep this going further and further.”

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