Netball: Aussies close the gap - without top players

It was a crisp October evening two nights before Halloween.

Although daylight saving had kicked in there was a chill in the air - possibly because the crowd packed into Trusts Stadium, Waitakere, weren't sure what to expect when the heavyweights of world netball clashed. They need not have worried, for they were about to witness a 25-goal boilover in the Silver Ferns' favour.

But five months later, that chilly feeling was back. Although there was plenty of confidence following the October massacre, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken had warned there was nothing worse than a wounded Aussie.

She was right.

In five short months the Australians had returned from the dead and almost upset the world champions in the Commonwealth Games final.

This was without instrumental leader Liz Ellis and key defender Mo'onia Gerrard.

The turnaround, although not unexpected, was impressive.

Australian coach Norma Plummer said that in October, the team had not played "the Australian way".

"That was identified and we have been working on our game more so than worrying about what New Zealand is doing."

Since winning the world championships in 2003, the Silver Ferns have played Australia nine times and won seven.

With the next world championships now exactly one year away, there is more at stake in this year's five tests. Taking an edge, even if it is only a tiny one, into next year's showpiece event, has got to be beneficial.

Plummer clearly thinks so.

"To get out and win, that's what we want to do. The challenge is there for us to win."

Australia have struggled with injuries and retirements over the past two years which has hindered their ability to create a rock-solid unit. But the return of Ellis and Gerrard sees them back at full strength.

Or does it?

"We are nearly back to being able to pick a team of fit players," Plummer said.

"We are still off the pace of having everyone on deck like [shooters] Cynna Neele and Jane Altschwager ... There are still a few players in the wind for us and a couple of young defenders that have started to stand up."

In the Games final, Australia put up two more shots than the Silver Ferns, which means they should have won the match.

Although that does reflect on their shooting accuracy, it would appear the Australians still feel their chances of succeeding have a lot to do with eliminating the Irene van Dyk "factor".

Plummer said she had studied videos of van Dyk during the National Bank Cup, especially the games against the Diamonds and the Flames where she appeared a little rattled.

"I thought because there was a double up [on van Dyk] that they were a little tentative about letting the long ball go. Certainly there were no 'beg your pardons' in the circle, I have to say.

"I think [Adine] Wilson and [Temepara] George as a combination is probably a class above what was feeding in those matches. That is not being detrimental, I think it is just stating a fact that the best feeders will be feeding her this time.

"Defensively we will have to work hard all over the court. Any mistake and we know that the van Dyk factor is going to hurt. If it gets down there and she gets it, there is a 99 per cent chance it is going to go in."

Defensively, Plummer will benefit from the return of Ellis and Gerrard.

"Liz has come back like a nippy 21-year-old," Plummer said.

"She is jumping out of her skin, she is dying to get out there. She felt so robbed not being able to play in the Commonwealth Games. Gerrard is the same, I expect her to have a great netball career."

Aside from those two and Bianca Chatfield she also has towering youngster Susan Furhmann in the wings.

"She is our long-term prospect," Plummer said.

"Some are expecting this kid to walk on the court and win us the game. She is our development that we take through to work with the senior players."

So does that mean she won't be given the chance to tackle van Dyk in this series?

"We'll wait and see how it pans out.

"I haven't put her in the team just because she is tall, she has to be able to deliver as well.

"What I am saying is that she is still there to be given an opportunity to develop."

Plummer believes that New Zealand go into the series with a slight advantage in that they have completed their domestic competition and are able to focus entirely on the international series. The Australians are in the middle of their domestic competition.

"Being able to have a defined international and domestic competition allows the coach to be more hands-on with the players for more time.

"We know this is an area Netball Australia have to look at, otherwise we have got to stop playing internationals in the middle of our domestic season as we only put ourselves at a disadvantage."

Silver Ferns v Australia, last three encounters:

* June 2005: New Zealand 50-43

* October 2005: New Zealand 61-36

* March 2006: New Zealand 60-55