By Sarah Nealon
Teenage shooter Adine Harper did the shoving around for once yesterday, and pushed the Otago Rebels into the final of the national netball league.
The 19-year-old who normally plays in the shooting circle played outstandingly at goal defence in the Rebels' 56-42 win over the Auckland Diamonds in Dunedin.
Goal
defence has been a problem for the defending champions this season, but coach Georgia Salter decided to take a gamble with Harper.
"I wanted the best seven players on the court," she said. "Adine is such a powerful athlete that it seemed such a shame not to have her on court - even if she wasn't shooting."
Harper has little experience as a defender, but enjoyed her new challenge in the Coca-Cola Cup.
"It was great being able to do the pushing at the other end, instead of getting pushed around."
Harper was able to target the Diamonds' weakness in the goal circle as the Auckland team had difficulty putting the ball through the hoop - despite the efforts of former Silver Fern Leonie Leaver.
Coach Tania Karauria said problems finding a suitable partner for Leaver, who plays goal shoot, dogged her team during the cup.
"I knew we were going to struggle in a couple of positions, especially when it came to who would be playing at goal attack, and I think that really showed against the Rebels."
Kiri Adams and Kylie Hall both had turns in this position yesterday.
"Our shooting really let us down in the first quarter and we had to play catch-up for the rest of the game," said Karauria.
Unlike the round-robin games where on-court positions were frequently changed, Salter elected to stay with the same seven players, saying her team came up trumps because they were top-class athletes.
"We're totally committed to training and we've got high standards. The girls are all very strong and very fit."
Salter said the Rebels and the Southern Sting - who will meet on Friday in the final - were gutsy sides because they played hard right until the end of the game.
"You have to be able to play at the same intensity for all four quarters."
