Netball: Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams in their own words

Irene van Dyk (L) and Casey Williams receive consolation after losing to Australia. Photos / Greg Bowker

View photos

IRENE VAN DYK
GOALSHOOT

Did you see me after the game? I was devastated. My husband, Christie, asked me: "Why do you cry?"

Well, when you want something so badly, you've worked so hard for it and it was within your grasp, of course you're disappointed.

Because we're women, we cry, talk about it, and then get it out of our systems. That's the beauty of it - you're beaten one day, and the next the sun still rises and you carry on.

I knew right from the start it was going to be a humdinger, a real one-for-one battle. We fought back really, really well and I felt confident that we could still win right until the end. Looking back, I wouldn't change any training sessions or any of our preparation.

We did everything as good as we could do, there was nothing we could have done better.

That's why we let it go this morning - we realised that over the last two or three months we had done everything right. It's like Adine [Wilson] said so beautifully, we left our guts out on that floor.

I still don't think there's anything between the two teams. I don't believe Australia are a much better side than the Silver Ferns. I think we are very much on a par with each other, and they just won on the night.

We had a team barbecue before we all headed home.

Today it's back to normal life, and I can spend some time with my Mum and my daughter.

And I'll be back, absolutely. I will still play, without a doubt. I've still got plenty of playing left in me, and I still love it, so why not?

* * *

CASEY WILLIAMS
GOALKEEP

Before I left for the game, I prepared my special treat. For months, I haven't been allowed to eat salt and vinegar chips with dip, so I had that ready for after the game.

Afterwards I had a shower, sat in my room and ate my chips and dip, thinking about what had just happened. I was obviously pretty gutted.

Then we all got together as a team and we had a few tears, as you'd expect. But everyone was looking chirpier in the morning.

I think we played really well - it was just those crucial times we needed to score and we didn't, that cost us. I think we tried everything and anything we could to win - they just had it over us on the day.

There was a really good feeling in the team before we left. Honestly, I usually think: "Holy cow, it's Australia - Casey, you're going to have to play really well."

But this time we had the confidence, we were going out there to win.

I go back to work in the morning, looking after two little kids before they go to school, and on Wednesday I have my human biology exam. As for the future, I honestly haven't thought much beyond Christmas and giving my body a rest. The last couple of months have been intense mentally and physically.

But I know what I want to do. When I saw Liz Ellis lift up the trophy after the game it made me jealous. The smiles and the looks on their faces made me grit my teeth and think: "Watch out in 2011. I'll be there."