Netball: Sneak preview to final - or so hype goes

If you believed the pre-season hype, then today's game between the Diamonds and the Sting is simply a sneak preview of the final.

But hype is one thing, reality another.

"It came from nowhere really. It was a bit random," said captain Anna Rowberry of the Diamonds' pre-season favouritism. Nobody had seen us, or anybody really, play."

While the Sting keep on stinging, the Diamonds are only now beginning to look like they might be the genuine article, rather than a shiny glass facade, winning two of their first three games.

"We've been a little bit up and down," said Rowberry, who is till rehabilitating her surgically repaired knee with a steady regime of ice, ice and more ice.

"I don't think anybody would say they've been totally satisfied with the performances we've put out on court to date.

"We've looked like a team that's only just got together and are fairly new."

The world championship-winning skipper realises the "new combinations" excuse can't be used forever though.

"Our potential is huge," she said. "We've got to take a bit of responsibility as a team because for the first time really the Diamonds have got some really star-studded players. Expectations come with that."

Expectations are also high at the Magic who take on the Rebels at Dunedin. Magic, boosted by Irene van Dyk's unparalleled 134 from 142 shooting record, have emerged ahead of the Diamonds as "the team most likely to ... ".


- HERALD ON SUNDAY