Netball: Defence key to Ferns success

By RICHARD BOOCK

Whatever attention might centre on the new double-barrelled shotgun they pack these days, the Silver Fern netballers still seem more likely to hurt Australia at the defensive end of the court tomorrow night.

The acquisition of goal-shoot Irene van Dyk and her likely pairing with Donna Loffhagen has dominated interest since New Zealand arrived in Sydney at the weekend to prepare for the annual Fisher and Paykel Cup netball test.

The potted story so far has Australian coach Jill McIntosh questioning the value of van Dyk's selection, New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering refusing to rule out playing Adine Harper at goal-attack anyway, and her captain Bernice Mene similarly non-committal on the likely shooting combination.

Yet, while all eyes are on the Donna-and-Irene Show, New Zealand seem certain to be plotting the downfall of the world champions at the other end of the court, where the hosts will be starting an untried attack against arguably the best defensive combination in the world.

Australia have lost five key players from last year's world championship squad - frontline shooters Vicky Wilson, Jennifer Borlase and Jacqui Delaney, wing-attack Shelley O'Donnell and centre Carissa Tombs.

Their replacements - shooters Megan Anderson, Cath Cox and Eloise Southby, plus centre court utilities Alex Hodge and Nicole Richardson - drew high praise during Australia's 3-0 demolition of a President's combination in May, but will be expecting a much tougher workout in Newcastle tomorrow.

Questions hovered over New Zealand's ability in the shooting circle during the world championships, but there were no complaints about their transition or circle defence, an area where they remained outstanding throughout the tournament, notwithstanding the last-second loss in the final.

With the same defenders at her disposal, Willering seems poised to make life difficult for Australia's new attack, which will be about 350 test caps lighter after the recent defections.

Mene ranks as the best goal-keep in the world but will probably start at goal-defence, allowing Linda Vagana to slot in at the back and giving Willering the option of using Belinda Charteris off the bench.

Otherwise, the New Zealand lineup appears fairly settled, with Lesley Nicol, Julie Seymour and Anna Rowberry almost certain to start in the midcourt and van Dyk - despite Willering's propaganda - likely to win a shooting berth alongside Loffhagen.

McIntosh has already suggested the move will dramatically change New Zealand's gameplan around the shooting circle - particularly in terms of feeding - and believes her opponents may miss injured goal-attack and former skipper Belinda Colling more than expected.

For all that, Colling's penchant for playing as a second wing-attack, her reluctance to shoot and her average success rate when she did piled incredible pressure on Loffhagen during the world championships, and in the final analysis exposed the Ferns at the cruellest possible moment.

Van Dyk's inclusion will at least go some way towards sharing that load, and although Australia will undoubtably attempt to shut her down by upsetting the supply lines, Loffhagen has proved more than capable at goal-attack and has the shooting range to take advantage of any extra freedom.