Netball: Australians target Silver Ferns' spearhead trio

SYDNEY - The mobility of New Zealand goal-attacks Donna Loffhagen and Belinda Colling, in conjunction with goal-shoot Irene van Dyk, are providing the biggest headaches for Australia ahead of the Tri-Nations finale tonight.

The world champions are confident they have solved their own shooting problems which marred a 40-55 loss to the Silver Ferns in Melbourne last weekend.

However, they are still trying to unlock the puzzle of containing New Zealand's attacking circle.

The New Zealanders know they will have their hands full at the State Sports Centre tonight, their second game in two days after last night's 86-30 thrashing of South Africa.

Australian goal-keep Liz Ellis admitted that the height, athleticism and accuracy of former South African goal-shoot van Dyk had become a major problem for her team.

She said putting two players on van Dyk was not an option.

"We used to do it when she played for South Africa because their goal-attacks were not able to shoot out the game, but with New Zealand it's a different story.

"You've got to be able to stop both of them," Ellis said.

"Both of New Zealand's other shooters are well capable of shooting out a game, so if you double-team her [van Dyk] you leave yourself open for them to drive into the circle and take the ball every time."

Ellis said the Australians' best option was to prevent the ball from getting into the circle in the first place.

Loffhagen admitted her career had taken a turn for the better with the arrival of van Dyk last year, allowing a shift from goal-shoot to her more favoured goal-attack.

"I'm loving it. The past three seasons for Sting I've played goal-attack, but only a couple of quarters here and there for New Zealand," Loffhagen said.

She said van Dyk's positional play had improved considerably since she arrived in New Zealand and it was a pleasure to play alongside her.

The pair - and Colling, if used - would be ready for any tricks the experienced Australian back trio might try.

In addition, New Zealand wing-attack Adine Harper has been in outstanding form, adding plenty of spark to the front third of the court.

"Obviously, they'll come out strongly and have a huge game after going down to us," Loffhagen said.

The New Zealanders have yet to be put under pressure in this series. They barely raised a sweat in last night's romp, in which they led 45-13 at halftime.

In the first match between the two in Canberra on Tuesday, the Kiwis thrashed the South Africans 74-37, so the two-match combined score was 160-67.

Coach Yvonne Willering opted to make numerous changes in every quarter, which probably saved the Proteas from an even greater loss because the New Zealanders had to regroup.

Loffhagen scored 39 goals, van Dyk 31 and Colling 16.

Australia: Kathryn Harby-Williams (capt), Catherine Cox, Eloise Southby, Sharelle McMahon, Jacqui Delaney, Alex Hodge, Rebecca Sanders, Nicole Richardson, Peta Squire, Liz Tavener, Liz Ellis, Bianca Chatfield.

New Zealand: Bernice Mene (capt), Irene Van Dyk, Donna Loffhagen, Belinda Colling, Adine Harper, Temepara George, Jenny-May Coffin, Lesley Nicol, Victoria Edward, Sheryl Clarke, Linda Vagana, Vilimaina Davu.

- NZPA