KEY POINTS:
The retirement of Aussie great Liz Ellis has left the door open for Magic defender Casey Williams to establish herself as the best goalkeep in the game this ANZ Championship season, according to her coach.
Williams was the stand-out player for the Silver Ferns at last year's world champs and is fast becoming the golden girl of New Zealand netball.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes if Williams can pick up from where she left off at the worlds, the young defender is set for an outstanding season.
"Just from what I've seen so far I think she's going to be the best goalkeep in the competition," Taurua says. "I think every year she's grown and this year she seems to have moved two notches up. I don't know if that's because of her experience with the worlds last year and how she played so well but she's looking really strong."
And given Williams' relative youth, Taurua believes the athletic defender is only set to get stronger.
"She's only 22, so in my eye she's still a baby," Taurua says. "When you think about it, once she hits about 24-25 that's when she'll really be at her peak - and my gosh that's scary."
Not that Williams would ever admit that herself. Taurua says the youngster often "understates what her actual ability is".
Williams is not interested in any individual plaudits - her big focus this season is to ensure she keeps on improving and developing her game.
"You're really only as good as your last game so I really want to build on what I achieved at the world champs."
With the likes of Sharelle McMahon, Catherine Cox and Romelda Aiken featuring in the new transtasman league, Williams relishes the idea of playing top-quality opposition week-in, week-out.
"I'm really looking forward to it," she says. "Last year you didn't get to play against them very often and this year we're going to get more of a chance."
"Just playing against those Australian shooters who are so experienced and skilful is obviously going to help my game."
Williams says her big goal this season is to continue striving for the "perfect game".
The athletic defender is driven by the ideal of producing a flawless display - but what does that entail exactly? She quickly rattles off her key measures as though they're second nature.
"Having a big presence and putting the shooter under pressure right from the start, putting the shooter off her shot and having a high rate of turnover ball, and also making myself more available on attack."
While she describes her quest for a perfect game as elusive, it is a check-list that Williams manages to tick off in most games. The lofty defender has incredible reach and is a strong defender of the shot. She is one of the few defenders around who has the combination of reach and timing required to tip or intercept the ball once it has left the shooter's hands.
More often than not Williams will lead the intercept count at the end of a game and she is exceptionally strong on the rebound.
But she is just one weapon in the Magic's powerful arsenal this year. They boast five front-line Silver Ferns including Williams, her defensive partner Joline Henry, midcourter Laura Langman and shooting duo Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia.
With a star-studded line-up, the Magic are being talked up in most quarters as the favourites to win the competition in its inaugural year.
But Williams refuses to entertain the thought that the Waikato/Bay of Plenty side will be the team to beat this season.
"We don't really take much notice of what other people are saying - I haven't even heard about us being favourites. We know there are a lot of strong teams out there and we need to work hard to match it with them."
An understatement to be sure. But then Williams is known for that.
* THE MAGICAL SEVEN WHERE'S THE CHINK IN THEIR ARMOUR?
GS - IRENE VAN DYK
Arguably the best shooter the game has ever seen, the unflappable Van Dyk combines height and athleticism with deadly accuracy. BUT: Has come under criticism in recent years for being too predictable and one-dimensional. Will need to work on her movement if she is to maintain her billing as the world's best shooter.
GA - MARIA TUTAIA
A new addition to the Magic line-up, Tutaia is regarded as one of the Silver Ferns' up-and-coming stars. The 21-year-old's ability to turn and shoot from anywhere in the circle can make her an extremely dangerous proposition when she gets going. BUT: Tutaia still lacks the play-making ability of a truly top-class goal-attack such as, say, a Belinda Colling or Sharelle McMahon. She has a tendency to get down when calls don't go her way.
WA - AMIGENE METCALFE
Former Silver Fern Amigene Metcalfe returns to the Magic line-up after taking time out for the birth of her second child. With explosive speed and deft timing, the wily veteran is one of the key cogs in the Magic machine. BUT: At just 1.68m Metcalfe may find herself swamped by taller defenders.
C - LAURA LANGMAN
A livewire midcourter, Langman boasts exceptional speed and athleticism making her a huge asset on attack and defence. BUT: A converted wing-defence, Langman is still coming to terms with the centre bib. Sometimes her speed gets away from her a bit and she can make silly errors.
WD - JODI TOD
Another new recruit in the Magic line-up, Tod has probably been one of the most under-rated players in past National Bank Cup seasons. She will add much-needed height to the Magic midcourt and has the ability to pull off some exceptional intercepts, as well as set up ball for the defenders at the back. A possible bolter for the Silver Ferns squad. BUT: May lack the foot speed to keep up with the nippy Australian midcourters.
GD - JOLINE HENRY
Another talented and often under-rated defender, Henry's combination with Williams in the Magic defensive circle will be one of the best in the competition. A strong "tracking" defender, she is superb at confusing the space for opposition shooters and is always there to help out on attack. BUT: Can be caught out of position sometimes, especially against the speedy Australian attack.
GK - CASEY WILLIAMS
One of the stars of the Silver Ferns World Championship campaign, Williams is set for another big season in the new league. Her amazing athleticism and reach is bound to cause shooters all sorts of problems. BUT: It's tough to find a but here - Williams is one classy defender.
