Netball: Don’t write us off yet: Dalton

Tania Dalton in action against the Diamonds a week ago, says you never lose motivation. Picture / Fotopress

Southern Sting shooter Tania Dalton finds it a bit amusing.

Sure, her side find themselves in unfamiliar territory having lost two matches in a row, but Dalton can't believe that some are writing the defending champions off already.

"I get to the airport at Invercargill last weekend [after their loss to the Magic] and everyone is like, 'We are so proud of you and what you have done', which is really nice, but god, our campaign is not over yet."

A loss against the Force tomorrow in Invercargill will, however, jeopardise their semifinal hopes.

With two rounds to play, the Sting are alongside the Diamonds and Force with 10 points - behind the Magic on 13 and the Flames on 12.

With the top four advancing to the playoffs, someone will miss out, making the last two rounds all the more important.

At the start of the season most would have given the Sting the edge over the Force, but after their average performances against the Diamonds and the Magic, the favourites tag probably now sits with the Force.

Dalton is quick to point out that she does not think a lack of motivation is the Sting's problem. Having won the competition six times in seven years, the team could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas on the odd occasion.

"You never lose the motivation," Dalton said. "When you run out into Stadium Southland you still have that feeling like, 'How cool is this'.

"I think Robyn [Broughton] gets a bit sick of people saying, 'Six times National Bank Cup champions'. Now it is kind of nice the pressure has gone off us a bit."

The Sting's downfall over the past two weeks has been their opposition's ability to counteract their usually unstoppable attack.

Dalton and Donna Loffhagen have not been their normal slick selves and the side have clearly missed Adine Wilson, who is expected to return this weekend after a long layoff with a knee injury.

"Adine is one of the best feeders in the country ... I don't think we realised how much she did until she wasn't there. It has been huge for our timing in the circle," Dalton said.

"We are renowned for playing mistake-free netball, so all of a sudden it is, 'Oh my god, what is happening here'?"

Dalton said it would be foolish to think Wilson alone can turn the Sting's fortunes round considering she hasn't played for two months and, coming back from a knee injury, is expected to be a little hesitant.

"Mentally it takes a bit of time."

Dalton had knee surgery and a baby last year and says she feels she is only at 80 per cent.

She has made it clear that this season will be her last in the competition, and with Loffhagen keen to take up a basketball contract in the United States, an end of era appears to be approaching.

Dalton said she would probably make herself unavailable for the Silver Ferns' series against Australia, but is aiming for a place in the New Zealand side for next year's Commonwealth Games.

"I don't think I am good enough anyway. At the moment it is taking me all week to recover from the game. Once the league is over, I want to take a couple of weeks off and restart."

TODAY

* Magic v Flames, Hamilton 4pm.

* Diamonds v Flyers, Waitakere Stadium 7.30pm.

TOMORROW

Sting v Force, Invercargill 1pm, live on One Sport.