Netball: The Claw grabs her chance

Julianna Naoupu was a magical find. Photo / Christine Cornege

From the bench to the pick of the bunch - the Magic's new goal attack Julianna Naoupu has been one of the revelations of the 2011 season, even mentioned as a possible Silver Ferns contender.

It is quite a turnaround for the 21-year-old, who was unable to command a regular starting spot over three previous seasons at the Steel. Naoupu was confident the switch would pay dividends, but admits her progress has been beyond expectations.

"I guess I didn't quite expect to do so well," says Naoupu. "It was a surprise but sometimes you don't know what is possible until you are put in the position where you have to do it."

The highly mobile Naoupu leads the franchise in centre pass receptions, has provided 25 goal assists (third highest) and has shot 124 goals at a respectable 77 per cent. She has thus far proved an effective foil for the incomparable Irene van Dyk, whose previous partnerships with Maria Tutaia and Jodi Brown had mixed results, and even contributed the lion's share of the goals in the double overtime victory over the Tactix in round four.

"I have been given an opportunity and I've taken it," says Naoupu. "It certainly helps when you have the best shooter [van Dyk] in the world behind you and the best centre [Laura Langman] in the world feeding you."

There is a comparison to be drawn with the Crusaders rugby franchise or the Melbourne Storm league club, who regularly seem to turn promising players from other clubs into gems.

Playing alongside the likes of Casey Williams, Langman and van Dyk forces players to improve, as well as elevating confidence and belief. Additionally the regular success of the Waikato franchise means players are seen in the best possible light.

Naoupu won't make the Silver Ferns this season unless there is a major injury crisis among players in the attacking circle, but the fact her name is being mentioned shows how far she has come.

"It is her flair that stands out," says van Dyk. "She is incredibly talented and willing to put up the 50-50 ball because she knows she can make it."

Van Dyk first noticed Naoupu when the youngster had a "sensational" game up against Williams in round ten last year, when the Steel topped the Magic 52-47 in Invercargill.

She says their partnership is steadily developing - "not perfect but it is coming".

She talks of the 'invisible links', where you can read and anticipate moves with minimal communication.

"In a way I learn as much as they do," says van Dyk. "She has a lot of potential and being a mentor brings out the best in me."

Naoupu says there wasn't a particular moment in time when she realised that netball could become a career but clearly she had conspicuous talent from young age. She starred at Christchurch Girls High School, and was then drafted into the Canterbury Flames as a 16-year-old in 2007. From there, she was selected for the New Zealand under-21 side, before making moving to Invercargill.

During her time at the Steel she drew high praise from Australia coach Norma Plummer, who earmarked her as a Fern of the future.

"She comes on with fire," Plummer said last year. "She doesn't stand around and wants to be out there. That's what you want from your youngsters."

It was in Invercargill that she picked up her nickname, which is fairly imaginative compared to the usually bland fare in netball.

"They call me The Claw," laughs Naoupu, "because of my ability to catch the ball with one hand."

Naoupu will need to utilise every trick possible in tomorrow's top of the table clash against the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane.

For so long gallant bridesmaids of the league, with 5th place finishes in 2008, 2009 and 2010, they have set the standard in 2011.

"They have been playing sensational netball," agrees van Dyk. "The most impressive aspect is the way they have been able to maintain their consistently high performances. We know from experience how hard that is to do."

The Firebirds have probably the most balanced lineup in the league. They boast the twin towers of Amy Steel (1.90m) and Laura Geitz (1.85m) in defence and a bevy of fast, talented midcourters.

Then there is Romelda Aiken, whose partnership with the Natalie Medhurst seems to be gelling better than ever.

"They are particularly aggressive and won't give an inch," says van Dyk. "We need to keep rotating in the circle and put them in positions where they don't want to be."