Netball: Retiring skipper determined to give Silver Ferns a hiding

By JULIE ASH

In her last outing in the green-and- gold uniform, Australian netball captain Kathryn Harby-Williams has much more than just another world title in her sights.

The 33-year-old goal defence won't be satisfied unless Australia wallop the Silver Ferns in the final of the world championships, which start in Jamaica on Friday.

"As much as I have loved those close games and winning on the final siren, in an ideal world I'd certainly like to have a comfortable win against New Zealand," she said.

"A game where the Australian team is performing at its peak and I can look around and really soak in the environment as opposed to fighting to the death."

Gunning for their fourth consecutive world title, Australia spent last week in Barbados, training against a team from the Australian Institute of Sport, before moving on to Jamaica.

"We feel we are as well prepared as we can be," said Harby-Williams, one of Australia's six remaining players from 1999 when Australia beat the Silver Ferns 42-41 in Christchurch.

Like New Zealand, Australia have had a comprehensive buildup to the world champs. They played Jamaica in Jamaica in March and squared off against South Africa at home in May.

Harby-Williams believes going to Jamaica was the most important part of her squad's preparation.

"It was a really good way of familiarising ourselves with Kingston, what we can and can't do and what it is like when the crowd get going in a game."

Australia trounced South Africa in all three tests (73-31, 80-34 and 79-42), but threw the netball world into a spin when they lost a match against Jamaica.

"I have always held Jamaica in high regard," Harby-Williams said. "They are a naturally athletic side and if all their players put out an ideal performance they would be very hard to beat.

"People expect New Zealand to be our No 1 rival, but Jamaica are up there as well."

Like netball fans on both sides of the Tasman, Harby-Williams would like to have seen Australia square off against New Zealand before the world champs.

"I have heard talk that we have been shirking playing against them but, if it was up to the players and management, we would play them as many times as we could."

And her thoughts on the Silver Ferns?

"New Zealand will be in prime physical and mental condition. As an athlete there is nothing better than an Australia and New Zealand clash.

"Their zone defence has always been one of their strengths and as a team we always work on making sure we can counteract that.

"Irene [van Dyk] is obviously always the focal point, so we have to try and stop the ball getting anywhere near her because once the ball is in her hands it is pretty much a goal for New Zealand.

"I guess the core of the team is the same and the newcomers will only make minor changes to the way they play."

It is that predictability and reliance on van Dyk that are of some concern to Silver Fern fans.

But Harby-Williams considers van Dyk an amazing athlete whose instinctive play is hard to counteract. "But I guess the positive for us is that we have always performed well against her. I think most people would agree that there is nothing better than a [Australian defender] Liz Ellis and Irene van Dyk clash."

The Silver Ferns' recent series against England highlighted a few areas of concern, but Australia, too, have had some worries, especially in the midcourt since veteran Shelley O'Donnell retired.

"A lot of people do criticise our centre court, but I certainly do not see them as the weak link in our side," the Australian captain said.

"Rebecca Saunders is one of the best centre court players in the world in my opinion and Nicole Richardson has definitely performed well in the international arena.

"Then we have Natasha Chokljat coming through who gives us a great deal of flexibility because she plays wing defence and wing attack."

The 88-test veteran agrees this world championship could be the toughest yet and admits she's going into it with a lot of mixed emotions - many linked to this being the last time she will play for Australia.

"But, I have been in the game long enough and I know it is time to move on ... At the same time, netball has been a wonderful part of my life and I'll certainly miss it."