Netball: Carter's new zip propels the Sting to upset

By Suzanne McFadden

A voice in the crowd spurred veteran Julie Carter to shoot the Southern Sting to a shock nine-goal victory in the national netball league final last night.

"I was feeling a bit sluggish and tired when I heard someone yell, `C'mon Nana, it's your last game!'", the former Silver Ferns captain said. "So I thought `I'm going to have a stylish ending'."

Thirty-three-year-old Carter rose to the challenge, playing an exceptional hand in the Sting's 63-54 win over defending champions the Otago Rebels.

Until the grand final, the Rebels had lost only once in the past two years. But twice this season the Sting have had them sussed.

With 21 busloads of Invercargill fans screaming for them in the sell-out crowd, the Sting always looked composed and in control.

The Otago team, usually so cool under pressure, lost their rhythm and their patience.

Tempers flickered from the first whistle - Sting shooter Donna Loffhagen was often sprawled on the floor, and Carter retaliating for some rugged defence by the Rebels.

The ball passed through more hands to get to the Sting goal, but it was a sharper, surer path than the Rebels were forced to take.

Sting captain Bernice Mene and English import Naomi Siddall finally worked out how to unravel Otago's steely shooting duo of Belinda Colling and Jo Steed.

Steed is renowned for her ability to turn and shoot without pausing for a breath, but last night she was shaky, succeeding with just 72 per cent of her attempts on goal.

Mene was outstanding from the outset, stealing passes bound for Colling, her old flatmate, and picking rebounds out of the air.

The Sting slowly edged ahead, leading 18-16 at the first break, and 33-31 at half time.

Clearly the most confident shooter on court, double international Loffhagen was on fire, shooting 36 goals from 44 attempts.

Both Carter and Loffhagen scurried in and out of the circle, confounding and irritating the Rebels' defence of Katie Fay and Adine Harper.

Loffhagen, who turned 21 on Thursday, was recognised for her striking performance in this series, awarded the player of the league.

However, Carter credited her team's midcourt for the win - Kate Newson, Reinga Bloxham and Maria O'Neill.

"All week people said our midcourt didn't rate, that we wouldn't win, but they have worked so well all season," Carter said.

"We knew the Rebels' weakness was in defence, where they've been struggling since Belinda Charteris left and went to Canterbury."

Carter, brought out of retirement from her home on Stewart Island for the Sting campaign this season, vowed last night that this was her swansong.

"Well, I hope that's it. But I guess Robyn [Broughton] will visit the island trying to drag me back in again next year."