Netball: Tuned-in and ready to turn out for Force

Force coach Yvonne Willering is confident she has Australian Megan Dehn tuned in to the New Zealand style for their opening match against the Shakers tomorrow.

The Force, like many teams, have had a messy buildup to the competition with five of their players - Temepara George, Leana de Bruin, Catherine Latu, Lorna Suafoa and Dehn - all involved in the Commonwealth Games.

Unlike the rest of the quintet, who are all familiar with the Force style, Dehn has been on a steep learning curve.

But Willering said the Australian goal attack/wing attack was a quick learner.

"She is thriving on it. We have been focusing more on the game side of it rather than the skills, just to get our combinations and her familiar with our style of play. She is picking it up really quick."

Inconsistent shooting has been the Force's major downfall in recent years, and they have also struggled at wing attack, so it will be no surprise to see Dehn feature there tomorrow or during the competition.

The Shakers, who finished bottom last year, are not expected to challenge the Force, but the match will give Willering an insight into how her new combinations are gelling.

The opening match is between last year's finalists, the Sting and the Magic, today in Hamilton.

Although the Magic marched to an easy 26-goal win over the Sting in last year's final, it is hard to see them getting the better of the rejuvenated Southland side today, especially without key defender Casey Williams.

The recruitment of Belinda Colling and the return of former Australian goal attack/wing attack Natalie Avellino has not only filled the gap left by Donna Loffhagen, but given Sting coach Robyn Broughton more options.

Traditionally the Sting have used virtually the same seven players all season, but this year Broughton has several strong lines available to her.

She is spoilt for choice at wing attack, where she can use Avellino, Adine Wilson or Wendy Telfer. Defensively Megan Hutton, Anna Galvan, Jenny Ferguson and youngsters Sarah Barnes and Hayley Crofts are among her options.

The Sting are unbeaten in preseason, and on paper are clearly the team to beat.

But the Magic were able to outsmart them last year, a key factor being their defence and ability to shut down the Sting's mobile shooters, a tactic they will be looking to enforce again.

Tomorrow's game between the Flames and Diamonds is crucial and could almost determine which of the two sides advances to the semifinals.

With the Sting, Magic and Force touted as the top three, the Diamonds and the Flames are expected to battle it out for the other spot, which places importance on this game and on bonus points (for finishing within five goals of their opponents.)

The Diamonds won last year and should come out on top again. Although former Silver Fern Julie Seymour's return will boost the Flames' midcourt, an area where they struggled last year, the Diamonds lineup, which includes Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward, possess more power.

The Flames' shooting combination, which includes former Diamond Shelley Norris, is also expected to struggle against Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond.

The area of concern for the Diamonds is the new shooting combination of Jo Morrison and Maria Tutaia, and how they cope with Vilimaina Davu.

Fixtures National Bank Cup
Round 1

Today: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Southern Sting, Hamilton 4pm, live on TV One.

Tomorrow: Otago Rebels v Western Flyers, Dunedin, Northern Force v Capital Shakers, North Harbour, Auckland/Waitakere Diamonds v Canterbury Flames, Waitakere, live TV One. All 1pm.