KEY POINTS:
For a seemingly pragmatic type it's mildly surprising to discover Liz Ellis has her superstitions.
"I like to put my socks and stuff on in a certain order," the Australian goal keep said after leading her team to a 90-22 pounding of the Cook Islands yesterday.
But her
superstitions don't extend to the Trusts Stadium court where she wrecked her knee in 2005 against the Silver Ferns, an injury which cost her a Commonwealth Games silver medal a year later.
Asked if she harboured any bad thoughts about the venue, Ellis reckoned she'd forgotten it until being reminded earlier in the week.
"But a court is a court is a court. The slippery stuff I slipped on when I hurt it is gone."
Familiarity breeds contentment.
Take Vicki Wilson, Australia's greatest shooter.
For years, New Zealand fans cursed the presence of the tall Queenslander at the business end of the court, potting goals as if it was the easiest job in sport to defeat the Silver Ferns time and again.
Or her fellow Bananabender John Eales, the great lock who won big rugby tests with his goalkicking, making it all look pretty easy.
So it is with Ellis, who seems to have been guarding Australia's net forever, and now leads their bid to regain the world title.
Ellis has been a fixture in the Australian squad for 14 years, dating back to when some of her teammates were in primary school.
She is a comforting figure for the Aussies, dependable, ruthless and dedicated to the cause.
Ellis, a qualified solicitor whonow coaches and runs netball clinics, has been part of two world championship-winning squads in 1995 and 1999.
Her coach Norma Plummer is lavish in her appreciation of what the 34-year-old Ellis brings to the Australian team.
"She's total leadership, and she's got plenty of it. She is able to talk the team up all the time out on court," she said.
"In her speeches before we enter the court it's always motivational, but tactically good.
" I just think she's an excellenton court-off court captain and the girls absolutely respect her to the hilt."
Ellis finds it hard to compare the serious end of world champs she's been at.
"Not once have we allowed ourselves to think past tomorrow [when they play England]."
