Netball: Long season prompts change for fatigued Ferns

Paula Griffith may replace Maria Tutaia at goal attack for tomorrow's test against England. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns players are combating heavy legs as they near the end of a brutal 2009 netball season.

Tomorrow morning's (NZT) test against England in Bath is the ninth of an 11-test season.

None could be classified as eminently winnable, with five coming against world champions Australia, three against a World 7 who stunned with their quality, and two yet to come against Jamaica in Kingston next week.

It prompted coach Ruth Aitken to give her players a day off upon arrival in Bath, followed by a team meeting which midcourter Laura Langman said was much-needed to ensure minds weren't wandering.

"It is a really, really, long season. (The meeting) revisited our aims for this tour and one of them is developing resilience," Langman said.

"Although the bodies are feeling fatigue, it's always the mental state of mind that can power you through.

"We trying to be smart, to monitor our well-being and to clock in-clock out to keep the fatigue at a minimum."

There is precedent for double-digit tests in a season but the intense World Series tournament in Manchester last week drained more energy from players who survived four months of ANZ Championship rigours.

Langman was one of several Silver Ferns in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, who played 15 matches in the second year of the transtasman franchise competition.

"ANZ now starts in March and doesn't finish until the end of July and pretty much the international season kicks in in the middle of August," Langman said.

"It's a very busy year if you play all the championship and then manage to get into the Ferns. It's full on but we enjoy it, and that's why we do it."

Langman couldn't help but let her guard down and peek beyond the Caribbean finale to her season.

Unlike others, she has foregone the chance for a little travel on the way home.

"I did contemplate it, but I've got an exam to get home for and a bit of free time, which will be fantastic," she said.

"Most of us will scarper and get out the old surfboards and wakeboards and get out there."

Concentration will sharpen ahead of the test against an English side who started strongly against Australia before losing 55-44 at the same University of Bath venue yesterday.

England stuttered while defender Sonia Mkoloma was treated for an ankle injury during the second spell.

Unhinging the proven defensive combination of Mkoloma and long-time cohort Geva Mentor will be crucial if veteran goal shoot Irene van Dyk is to shine for New Zealand in the manner always demanded of her.

The identity of van Dyk's shooting partner will also be intriguing after Paula Griffith successfully replaced Maria Tutaia at goal attack for the last three quarters of the World Series final against Jamaica.

- NZPA