Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Plummer expects von Bertouch to return for second Test
By Netball Australia
Australian Diamonds coach Norma Plummer expects vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch to return to the court for the second clash against the New Zealand Silver Ferns tomorrow night in Melbourne. Von Bertouch missed the last trans-Tasman clash in Sydney after sustaining a sternum injury in the Diamonds’ loss against the World Selection team in Adelaide. “She (von Bertouch) is looking good,” Plummer said. “She had a good run and pulled up fine and I am expecting she’ll play.” Plummer is happy to get the composed von Bertouch back to her team which has lost the first two matches of the Holden Netball Test Series. “She is a leader and it’ll be great to have her back again,” Plummer explained. “Her tenacity and her ability to read the play is fantastic and she has a calm head at the right time.” Plummer is looking for some crucial improvements in her team after their three-goal loss to the Silver Ferns on Sunday. “There are some key improvements that we need to make in basic errors and finishing off,” Plummer said. “In last Sunday’s match we had more opportunities and more attempts.” Despite the loss, Plummer has taken positives out of the close encounter with the Ferns with inexperienced defender Susan Fuhrmann impressing the Diamonds coach with a best on court performance. “Fuhrmann is going to grow as a player after limited international experience she produced a great game on the weekend,” Plummer said. Plummer was also pleased with debutant Renae Hallinan’s performance in her first two matches in the green and gold. “She is very athletic and she is playing great one on one defence,” Plummer said “She’s got to slot in to what we want in the mid-court and she does that well. “I’d say she’d be in the team’s votes for both of our games.” The Australian Diamonds take on the New Zealand Silver Ferns tomorrow night at Hisense Arena, Melbourne. The first centre pass will take place at 7.55pm with the match broadcast on Channel Ten and ONE at 11.00pm.
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