Netball: Complacency not an issue for Aitken

It would be no surprise to learn that before Ruth Aitken leaves her house each day she bolts the door, activates the deadlock, turns on the infrared-sensor burglar alarm, throws the doberman a biscuit and waves a cheery goodbye to the security guards stationed outside.

Cautious? Suggest that the Silver Ferns have firmly stamped themselves as the No 1 team in the world and this is the response: "Wash your mouth out."

New Zealand might have established themselves as short-priced favourites for the Commonwealth Games but Aitken is having none of it.

"There's certainly a great sense of satisfaction for what happened out there on court but we are very mindful that's it just one snapshot in time basically and we go back to the drawing board tomorrow."

Just what's left to draw is open for debate. Apart from a nervy start and a sloppy final few minutes, the Ferns were close to the complete package.

Is there anything left in the cupboard with which to surprise Australia in March?

"We'll have to open it and see. We need to now look to add things to our game and I believe we can do that with the personnel we have got."

Aitken even found some cause for complaint, pointing out that the attacking flow wasn't quite what it could have been and perhaps on defence they didn't challenge for the ball high enough up the court.

She was also perceptive enough to recognise this wasn't an Australian performance for the ages.

"When they lost Liz [Ellis] it took the wind out of their sails a little bit."

For her part, Ellis said she would have to wait and see whether her knee injury will prevent her playing Jamaica.

While Ellis' lament took place from the bench, a Silver Fern made a welcome reappearance from the same piece of furniture.

Belinda Colling came on in the final quarter and contributed a nifty six from seven attempts.

"It was definitely a different experience to come out against Australia and be up by 30."

Of her own form she said it was taking a while to re-familiarise herself with international netball and "find the groove".

Adine Wilson has never lost hers.

After the match she claimed to have no idea the Silver Ferns were on the verge of history as they motored past the 19-goal margin set 24 years ago.

"No, I had no idea. During the breaks we kept saying, 'the Aussies, you give them a little sniff and they'll run with it'. We had to make sure we kept on top of it. I think we let them in a little bit in the last five minutes which was disappointing.

"But it was fantastic to come off the court and be told, 'hey guys, that's a record win'.

"It feels pretty good."

Feeling bad - "that's an understatement" - was Australian coach Norma Plummer's take on it. She managed to conjure up more magnamity than in the past, though, when acknowledging the superiority of the Silver Ferns.

"They were sensational. You can't take that away from them."

No, you can't.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY