Netball: Silver Ferns' defensive unit stronger than ever

The Silver Ferns' chances of bagging the one-off test against Australia could rest on the case for the defence.

In Vilimaina Davu, Anna Scarlett, Joline Henry and Casey Williams, you could say that the Silver Ferns' goal keep and goal defence stocks have never been higher.

But they will have their hands full on Wednesday night before an estimated world record crowd in Sydney.

Australian coach Norma Plummer can call on the all-star shooting trio of Catherine Cox, Sharelle McMahon and Eloise Southby-Halbish.

Former Silver Ferns goal keep Bernice Mene believes how the defence copes could come down to one simple equation: McMahon.

"She's that sort of player," Mene said. "She reminds me of Donna Loffhagen in that if she's on her game she's close to unstoppable."

Cox isn't bad either, though her skills have given her parents mixed emotions for a number of years now.

Cox was born in Whangarei and lived her first years in New Zealand.

"My parents are still fully All Black supporters," the 45-test veteran said. "They're only just starting to switch over for the netball. When I'm on the bench they find it easy to back New Zealand."

The 29-year-old said although Australia would like to think the series win in November had shifted the pendulum back in their favour, they were under no illusions as to how tough New Zealand would be.

"It's always so close and physically a cut above any other match you play," she said.

As to whether she enjoyed her 'contests' with Davu, Cox remained diplomatic. "I don't know if enjoy is the right word - but it's always a great challenge."

Once a formidable defensive player herself, Force coach Yvonne Willering says there are a number of combinations open to Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken.

"If you're looking at picking a starting line-up for the Ferns, that's probably the one area they'll um and ah about," she said.

One selection Willering warned against was the starting of 20-year-old starlet Casey Williams.

"A one-off test with all reputations on the line, I would think they'd tend to go with experience, set the platform and then introduce other players if they so wish. A test against Australia is not what I'd call development work."

Mene isn't so certain, saying Williams had demonstrated enough maturity over the National Bank Cup season - where her combination with Henry was pivotal in the Magic's success - to suggest she wouldn't be out of place in this test.

"She seems a lot older than her years in a netball sense," Mene said.

With Vilimaina Davu almost certain to start at goal keep, that will probably mean Henry starts at goal defence as Willering believes Scarlett, with her aerial ability, is more suited to goal keep.

"When she plays goal defence, sometimes she gets caught out up court."

One thing the Silver Ferns will need is mobility.

"The Australian style of play sees both shooters use lots of movement and at times they're both out of the circle. It's a different ball game. New Zealand will be selecting their defence with that in mind."

Willering said positional depth tended to be cyclical, with all concerns focused on the attacking end of the court.

"We have a really short supply of what I call genuine goal attacks. Quite a few goal attacks have gone into wing attack - part of that is because of height. Adine Wilson is a prime example."

With Irene van Dyk being a planting goal shoot, there is a need for New Zealand to develop not only mobile goal attacks in the mould of Belinda Colling but goal attacks to take pressure off van Dyk in the circle by putting up to 20 shots a game.

Currently no one fits that bill.

"At the moment there is a tremendous reliance on Irene," Willering said. "I would say: what happens if Irene gets injured?"

- HERALD ON SUNDAY