Netball: Speedy midcourters can hurt Aussies

By JULIE ASH

Irene van Dyk believes the Silver Ferns' fleet-footed midcourters will have too much speed for Australia's new-look defence.

The inclusion of 1.9m Bianca Chatfield and 1.88m Demelza Fellowes into the Australian side more or less eliminates the height advantage van Dyk has had over the Australians in the past.

"I am quite impressed by them putting in some tall players," van Dyk said.

"Obviously we'll try and stay one step ahead. It is all right to bring in tall players but I think the skill of our midcourters and ball speed might still be something they won't be able to cope with ... well, hopefully not."

Van Dyk doesn't remember playing Chatfield before but played Fellowes this year when the New Zealand squad had a friendly against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

"She is a very skilful player and she is very fast. She has got skill, make no mistake.

"But I think a lot will depend on how the combination works. Being one-on-one it's obviously going to make it a bit harder because they are a bit taller and it is going to affect the high ball into me. But I'm sure our midcourters will be swinging the ball around the circle ... because ball speed normally beats the player."

Although van Dyk has become a lot more mobile, there is no denying a well-placed high ball into her is still a winner.

"I don't think we'll take it totally out of our plan because that is where my strength is," she said. "We'll probably just have a bit more variety."

With captain Liz Ellis likely to start at goal defence, the question is who will Australian coach Norma Plummer choose to partner her? The experienced Janine Ilitch, Chatfield, who has played seven tests, or the uncapped Fellowes.

"They might just go for the unknown. By us not having much experience playing against Demelza, and she being so athletic, they might just throw her in there," van Dyk said. "But I am sure we'll be ready for whichever combination they throw at us."

Although veteran Australian defenders Ellis and Kathryn Harby-Williams were considerably shorter than van Dyk, defence was still one of the side's strong points.

In last year's world championship final Australia actually had six more attempts at goal than the Silver Ferns.

"Liz's combination with Kathryn was just so fantastic that you never really knew where they were," van Dyk said.

"Liz has a lot of innovation and she jumps really, really high and she sits on you the whole time. She doesn't give you any space because she is always where you want to go."

Van Dyk said the Silver Ferns were well aware of how desperate the Australians want a series win. "They are going to come out here firing. That is the good thing - they are just as competitive as we are."