photo credit: @gamefacenz
As the Mainland Pouākai set about a return to the Tauihi playoffs this season, the next 12 weeks could be the making of talented Kiwi forward Esra McGoldrick.
Already firmly in the Tall Ferns squad, the 25-year-old forward stands at 188 centimeters and presents as a valuable asset for a national team that is constantly on the lookout for height to match with nations from around the world.
Better still, McGoldrick has quickly developed her all-round game, she spaces the floor and has honed her craft as a highly efficient three-point shooter, as evidenced during the 2023 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi season where she was a league-best 51% from long range on 26 of 51 shooting.
No team likes to be the odd one out, which in Tauihi means the team finishing fifth and missing the post-season action. Unfortunately for the Pouākai season 2023 finished early and they suffered the tough task of watching on as the other four teams battled it out for the championship - mind you, McGoldrick brought her best week in, week out.
For McGoldrick (who spent her maiden Tauihi season with the Whai in 2022) shifting to the Pouākai saw a huge uplift in output, which no doubt helped her win a contract in the Australian WNBL with the Bendigo Spirit where she played 14 games.
The improvement shown from the Whai to the Pouākai was significant, which could be due to numerous many factors, but what it did do was show just how effective McGoldrick is and can be going forward. She has raised the bar personally and will be out to further smash those numbers this season as the Pouākai look for a Final Four berth that eluded them in the '23 season.
WHAI (2022)
Points: 8.1 per game
Rebounds: 5.2 per game
Assists: 1.5 per game
Free Throws: 14 of 24 at 58.3%
Three Pointers: 9 of 23 at 39.1%
POUĀKAI (2023)
Points: 14.3 per game
Rebounds: 8.2 per game
Assists: 2.3 per game
Free Throws: 17 of 21 at 81%
Three Pointers: 26 of 51 at 51% (No.1 in the League)
Though she shouldn't, McGoldrick could slip under the radar this season given the further influx of international talent into Tauihi.
While all opposition teams will be wary of her, chances are McGoldrick will draw the second-best tall defender most games given Canadian teammate Cassandra Brown will be the number one target.
If McGoldrick can continue to build on her inside-outside game and run hard basket-to-basket on the break, there is every chance she will be the best Kiwi forward in Tauihi. Opponents will need to be very aware of McGoldrick when she steps outside the arc because there is every chance new head coach Paul Flynn will have given her a green light to shoot.
If McGoldrick can go to another level this season it will certainly help her future prospects back in Australia, or even in Europe. It might also be enough to lead the Pouākai back into the Tauihi playoffs.
Are you ready for the McGoldrick Factor?
