Netball: Contenders jostle for Games spots

By JULIE ASH

New Zealand's top players have less than a month to impress Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken before she names a team to compete in a three-test series against Barbados.

At the end of the national league on June 10, Aitken will select 12 players - and they more than likely will go through to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

But what if Aitken were to name a team today? Who has done enough to represent New Zealand against Barbados and shoot for gold at the Commonwealth Games?

Irene van Dyk and Daneka Wipiiti are the leading contenders in the goal shoot position.

Van Dyk's shooting average for the Shakers in the National Bank-sponsored league going into this weekend is 90 per cent, with 173 of her 193 attempts successful.

The cool, calm 19-year-old Wipiiti is a little lower at 77 per cent for the Force, but has put up an impressive 343 shots, netting 265.

Donna Loffhagen at the Sting is the best goal attack by a country mile. She has played 46 games for New Zealand, and has a shooting average in the league of 88 per cent.

Her toughness, determination - and her sometimes slightly dramatic antics - show she is not one to be messed with.

Angela Evans at the Canterbury Flames, who made her debut for the Ferns against Jamaica this year, has made a solid start to the league in a team that has yet to fire.

With a shooting average of 73 per cent and an ability to play at goal shoot and goal attack, she could well retain her spot.

Sting goal shoot Tania Dalton is also in contention, with an 89 per cent shooting average.

If Aitken chooses three shooters, van Dyk, Loffhagen and Evans should get the nod. If she goes for a fourth, then Wipiiti is probably the next in line.

Among those missing the cut is former Silver Ferns captain Belinda Colling. Although a versatile and solid player, she rates behind Loffhagen and Evans in terms of shooting and doesn't have the speed and flair of wing attacks such as Adine Harper and Temepara Clark.

Selecting midcourt players is a real mission.

Clark (Force), Anna Rowberry (Diamonds), Harper (Sting), Julie Seymour (Flames) and Jenny-May Coffin (Magic) are all playing at centre - which leaves the question of who is going to play wing attack.

Clark would be the pick of the centres. She has consistently performed well and has shown she can use her speed, flair and vision wisely.

Harper has performed adequately at centre for the Sting and in the past has been a good wing attack for the Silver Ferns. She can also be used as a goal attack, at a pinch.

Seymour, who captained the Silver Ferns in Jamaica, has continued to be a steadying influence in the Flames midcourt and can be relied on to stay calm and controlled.

The final wing attack/centre position could be a toss-up between Rowberry and Coffin.

Rowberry's speed and vision through court have made her stand out in every Diamonds game, but her inclusion could come down to whether Aitken thinks she has mastered the ability of changing pace and feeding a stationary shooter.

The fleet-footed Coffin is also having a good season for the Magic after a shaky start through injury, but the more experienced Rowberry would have to be the stronger contender at this stage.

The other name in the midcourt frame, at the defensive end, must be Force wing defence Sheryl Clarke, who has played out of her skin in every game to date.

Depending on her ankle injury, which has her out of action for the next few weeks, Clarke - who is also a capable goal defence - is almost assured of a spot. That means either Magic's Victoria Edward or Sting's Lesley Nicol has to go.

Losing test veteran Nicol would be a big call. She is still one of the hardest-working defensive players in the league. Edward is just as athletic and strong but may miss out to Nicol this time.

Force goal keep Linda Vagana is the only certainty in defence.

The 30-year-old has had a superb season for the Force, proving her desire to play for New Zealand is well and truly there.

Flames goal defence Anna Veronese and goal keep Vilimaina Davu could grab the other two spots ahead of Flames' Belinda Charteris, Force player Lorna Suafoa and Diamonds' youngster Rachel Rasmussen.

At least Aitken has plenty of options, but one certainty is that some big-name players are going to miss out.

"I would be happy to have a number of players in my team," she said.

"I do feel blessed, but I will be damned if I do and damned if I don't with a lot of them."