Netball: Defender contender for bronzing medal

Mo'onia Gerrard adds colour to her netball teammates - literally - as she owns her own spray tanning business. Mark Nolan / Getty Images

Mo'onia Gerrard could be classed as one of those people who are really handy to know.

The Australian defender is a likeable, humorous, kind of girl, but best of all, she owns her own spray tanning business.

"It is different to playing netball, for sure," she said of her occupation.

"Some of the girls are wanting a tan in Sydney so maybe when we play on Tuesday you'll see some of the girls all tanned up."

Gerrard is back in the Australian team after an injury-plagued two years.

The powerful defender made her on-court debut in 2004 on the Australian team's tour to South Africa and England. She injured her ankle that same year which ruled her out for the remainder of the season and returned last year only to rupture an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee in only her second clash against the Silver Ferns.

"It was a bit disappointing but it did teach me a lesson. I didn't really know if I wanted to play netball or not. Then when I did my knee I realised I still wanted to be part of it. I missed it and I knew I could do more."

Gerrard grew up on Sydney's Narrabeen beach. She is the older sister of Wallaby winger Mark Gerrard.

"We played sport together all the time being the two of us ... I think he was more competitive than I was. I just used to laugh him off. He always used to try and outrun me. I was always faster and stronger than him till he started growing muscles when he was 17."

The siblings' sporting prowess is perhaps the result of good genes on their mother's side. Their mother [Kalasi] represented Tonga in the Pan Pacific Games in athletics - the 800m, hurdles and long jump. Their uncle was in the Tongan rugby side who beat the Wallabies in 1973, and their aunt also represented Tonga at the Pan Pacifics and the Commonwealth Games, in the hurdles.

"My mum's side is pretty sporty and athletic. My dad's side not so much but my dad was pretty skilful in all types of sport. He was good at cricket and represented NSW in country league and union.

"I think I got my brains from my dad and the physical side from my mum," she laughs.

Gerrard starting playing netball when she was 12, although back then it came after surf lifesaving and athletics.

"Athletics was Saturday, lifesaving Sunday, netball was in winter and touch football in the summer. We were just really active, no one was ever at home on the weekends."

The first netball team she made was a school D-grade side where she played at centre.

"I remember having to be everywhere at the same time. That was my first recollection of playing netball."

But she was soon shifted to defence where she has remained, despite standing an unassuming 1.80m. However, what she lacks in height she certainly makes up for in speed, agility and sheer determination.

Although she has been a member of the Australian squad since 2001, Gerrard has had an uphill battle to secure a spot in the side, with the likes of Liz Ellis, Kathryn Harby-Williams, Janine Ilitch, Peta Scholz and Alison Broadbent competing against her.

"I had all those big guns in front of me ... they are big shoes to fill but you need to step up and take over."

She has a solid relationship with Ellis, with whom she teams up in the Sydney Swifts.

If Australian coach Norma Plummer chooses to go with the combination for tomorrow night's opening test, the duo's assignment will be shutting down the Silver Ferns shooting maestro Irene van Dyk, who stands 10cm taller than Gerrard.

"As a unit she is tall and looking at her physique she has improved her stance, so she is taking those balls harder and better now. So it is good thing for her and a bad thing for us. We have to have our heads up to make sure we try and get those lobs out of mid-air before she gets them. I guess we need to grow an extra leg, get a ladder out of our pocket or get an axe and knock her knees out I don't know ... just get her down."

Gerrard described the Silver Ferns as "awesome". "They have got natural ability with flair. Netball Australia the team is more textbook style. New Zealand are just physically strong. I admire the way they play."

Despite that, she concedes there is a degree of confidence in the Australian camp.

"I think we are switched on, ready to play and show what we should have in March."

MO'ONIA GERRARD

Position: WD, GD, GK
Born: November 15, 1980
Height: 1.80m
Caps: 8
Playing history: Australian under-21 squad 2000/01, Australian squad 2001/06