Netball: Grant shows her mettle with sterling Ferns season

Katrina Grant's move to goal keep for the Silver Ferns has strengthened defence. Photo / Getty Images

While the Silver Ferns results this season have been a bit of mixed bag, there have been a number of individual success stories.

One such player who has developed well is young defender Katrina Grant, who has formed a lethal defensive combination with captain Casey Williams.

Hampered by a recurring hip-flexor injury earlier in the season, Grant made only a limited impact at goal defence in her first few test outings for the Ferns.

But a switch to goal keep during the Australian series saw Grant begin to make her mark.

With the athletic New Zealand captain out in front hunting for intercepts, and the efficient Grant cleaning up in the back, the pair have solidified their status as New Zealand's first-choice defensive combination.

Grant, who has formed a tight bond with Williams on and off the court, is thrilled with the way their defensive partnership has come along this season.

"We've both grown in our roles and I think our combination is coming along pretty nicely," said Grant.

"I'm loving it. It's been a great experience and you can't really ask for a much better goal defence to have out in front of you."

The pair were at their dominant best in the final test win over Australia in Auckland last month, but since then have had to quickly adjust to different styles.

Grant's latest challenge has been trying to contain 1.96m Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken, who is well serviced by crafty goal attack Simone Forbes. The defender admits she didn't make as much impact as she would have liked in Wednesday's opening test, but is hoping to get another crack today.

"Coming off playing Australia in those five tests where they had the shorter shooters, we've kind of had to change our gameplan a wee bit against the taller shooters. It's tough - you definitely spend a lot of time off the ground that's for sure, but you just have to be persistent and hope it pays off."