Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, maybe, maybe, probably
Netball 
/ Chris Ryan / 22 September 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
New Zealand, Australia, Australia, Australia. In a five round series the final is now just a formality, writes Jayme Jenkins.
In the space of two weeks, the Silver Ferns have gone from adulation to commiseration as they wage the age old Australia/New Zealand war against the Australia Diamonds. The Holden Netball series and New World International Netball Series began in Sydney on 6th September. Fresh off the plane, the Silver Ferns were ready to show what they were made of and inched ahead of the Diamonds winning 53-50.
The Diamonds came back fighting in game two in Melbourne and that's when the wheels fell off for Goal Shoot, Irene van Dyk. The Ferns, 44-48 loss can be solely laid on the performance in the shooting circle. van Dyk's normal 90% plus shooting rate plummeted into the 70s and the lack of support from Goal Attack Paula Griffin also shooting around 70% meant that the hard work of the defence and mid court players couldn't be converted into points.
In game three in Brisbane, the Ferns feared no better. Irene van Dyk continued her poor shooting record down to 67% now, while Australian Goal Attack, Susan Pratley dominated the shooting circle at the other end. In the final quarter New Zealand Captain, Casey Williams took matters into her own hands and drove her team to regain ground, but it was too little too late and the Diamonds took out the game 33-36.
Game four and the Ferns fought like their lives depended on it. The last time Australia had beaten New Zealand three games in a row was in 1998 and the pride of both teams was on the line here. Back in New Zealand at Stadium Southland both shooters hit their stride. van Dyk was back up at 90% and Pratley just ahead at 92%. Each quarter began with a flurry of activity from New Zealand that was then quickly answered by Australia. Going into the 4th quarter it was point for point and with less than one minute on the clock... Goal to Australia! To take the game and the series 47-46.
Wrapping up the series is now just a formality at Auckland's Vector Arena on Wednesday. Australia would love to make it an unprecedented four from five and their consistency could just see them do it, but New Zealand is playing for pride.
With the home town advantage and shooters starting to hit their stride, the Ferns may be a force to be reckoned with. But if history tells us anything then we should know that the consistency of Australia is the safe bet on this one.
