Netball: Grant puts focus on Thunderbirds defence

Defender Katrina Grant reckons slowing the Thunderbirds' midcourt down is the key to keeping the Steel's title hopes alive.

The Steel will go into the sudden-death ANZ Championship playoff match in Adelaide on Monday as the underdog but Grant says her side has every reason to believe it can register its first win in Australia.

The Steel outplayed the Thunderbirds in Dunedin two weeks ago and the nine-goal win has done wonders for the team's self-belief. But what is of more significance, perhaps, is that there will be a New Zealand and an Australian umpire officiating.

New Zealand teams have struggled with the interpretations of the Australian umpires and Grant believes having a local whistle-blower at one end will help even the odds.

"That might help change the tide and help us win over there," Grant said.

Umpiring aside, the Steel will fall back on the game plan that worked so successfully in Dunedin: slow the Thunderbirds' ball down, cramp their shooters for space and stay patient on attack.

"We'll have to slow them down in the midcourt. That's what they're renowned for. We slowed them down in Dunedin and they could not get a roll on us.

"Home court advantage is huge, especially for the Aussies. But our confidence against Australian sides is really high at the moment so I don't see why we can't go over there and dominate them."

The Steel's last three matches have all been against Australian teams so the squad should not have any trouble adjusting to their style of play.

A good performance will not do Grant's international prospects any harm.

With the Silver Ferns squad expected to be named after the ANZ Championship, the selectors will be keeping a close eye on the progress of the Magic and Steel players.

Steel defender Sheryl Scanlan will travel with the team, but her calf injury is likely to prevent her from taking the court.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES