Netball: Aussies look to rebound against Jamaica

Natalie Von Bertouch. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Australia's shock third placing behind Jamaica in the recent Netball World Series has made the side hungry for success, according to vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch.

The Diamonds have never finished behind the Sunshine Girls in an international tournament, albeit one played under a modified format.

And they have only lost once to Jamaica since 1986.

Von Bertouch said the team was determined to make amends against the Jamaicans in Kingston in two Tests played this Sunday and Monday, Australian time.

"We were definitely disappointed to come third, that's not somewhere we're used to finish or like to come," von Bertouch said, after New Zealand won the inaugural tournament in Manchester, England.

"I guess it makes that hunger in the belly a bit stronger and definitely means that we're out to win these Test matches that we're playing in."

The Australians have already pin-pointed towering goal shooter Romelda Aitken as the player to stop.

The 196cm Aitken plays for Queensland in the trans-Tasman league and for the past two years has been named the player of the competition.

In this year's series she averaged 43.8 goals per game.

"Having Romelda in the team makes them so dangerous," von Bertouch said of Jamaica.

"She's a shooting machine and every goal she misses she gets the rebound basically so for us it's about stopping the ball before it gets to her so there's a lot of pressure on defence all over the court."

The Test centre said Aitken's play had improved since her involvement in the Australian-New Zealand competition, but they also benefited from the experience of playing against her.

The Adelaide skipper said the Diamonds were tired after a long year, which included a five-Test series win over New Zealand and a one-off victory against England earlier this week.

But with two of their best, defender Mo'onia Gerrard and skipper Sharelle McMahon injury-free, they were primed for a big finish against the Jamaicans, who are renowned for their physicality.

"They're definitely physical but if you ask most if us, we quite enjoy that physical contest as well," she said.

"It's going to be tough, and the hot conditions over here make it much tougher than what we're used to but everyone's ready to play."

- AAP