Netball: Aiken better than Van Dyk - Firebirds captain

Firebirds captain Laura Geitz believes Romelda Aiken's (R) improved strength has seen her eclipse Irene van Dyk as world netball's best goalshoot. Photo / Getty Images

Queensland Firebirds captain Laura Geitz believes Jamaican teammate Romelda Aiken's improved strength has seen her eclipse New Zealand veteran Irene van Dyk as world netball's best goalshoot.

Geitz, to lock horns with Van Dyk in tomorrow night's ANZ Championship major semifinal, also credits the 1.96m Aiken for equipping her with the ability to contain the Silver Ferns and Magic spearhead.

Geitz's battle with Van Dyk will be a highlight of the Firebirds' clash with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic while Aiken must contend with Casey Williams at the other end of the court on the Gold Coast .

"As a defender coming up against Irene you need to be ready and playing your best netball to have any hope against her - it's a huge challenge," the 19-Test defender told AAP.

"My playing style I love coming up against the tall, holding shooter and I definitely get a lot of practice against Romelda at training.

"I would go as far as saying Romelda is the hardest goal shooter to play against internationally and I think she's stepped it up a level this year which is fantastic.

"She wasn't all that strong when she first started but her strength and the way she can pull the ball in now is just amazing."

For the fourth straight trans-Tasman season, Aiken (458) finished among the top goal-scorers with only West Coast's Caitlin Bassett (478) netting more as the Firebirds went through the regular rounds unbeaten.

The Magic will fancy their chances on the Gold Coast with the Firebirds forced to give up their regular home court in Brisbane due to a truck show at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Queensland have also struggled to cover the loss of Diamonds mid-courter and club captain Lauren Nourse with a season-ending knee injury and are facing the intensity of finals netball for the first time.

The key for the Magic will be to shut down in-form goal attack Natalie Medhurst who has lifted further in Nourse's absence to both feed Aiken and also shoot her average of 23 goals in a combination which has gelled beautifully in 2011.

"It's fantastic to watch it from goal keeper and see it all unfold,'' said Geitz.

"I said to Nat the other day it's a pleasure to watch them play together now.

"It's pretty netball you know, they're working well together and their understanding of each other is so good."

- AAP