Source: Radio New Zealand
Kate Heffernan in the action for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australian Super Netball competition. Sarah Reed
Standout Silver Fern Kate Heffernan has wasted no time making her mark on Australian Super Netball, showcasing her skills against the world’s best.
Heffernan made a spectacular debut in the opening round for premiership favourites Adelaide Thunderbirds, helping her newlook side to a record-breaking 20-goal win against New South Wales Swifts.
Wearing the centre bib, Heffernan was a key playmaker for the home side in their 74-54 demolition at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
The former Southern Steel stalwart pulled in three intercepts and nailed 14 goal assists against last year’s preliminary finalists.
Another new recruit who led the onslaught for Adelaide was South African shooter Elmere van der Berg, who finished with a club-record 59 goals in just 53 minutes of game-time.
Heffernan, who brushed aside any pre-game nerves, admitted her team wasn’t getting carried away with the one-sided win.
“We’re stoked with that performance, to come out like that and put the foot down in the second half,” she said. “It’s just exciting times and a lot of exciting things to come, I think, for the Thunderbirds.”
Adelaide led by five goals at half-time, before outscoring the Swifts by 11 goals in the third quarter. The Kiwi matched up against versatile Swifts midcourter Tayla Fraser in the opening quarter, before Fraser was subbed for former Australian Diamond Maddy Proud.
The New South Wales coach re-introduced Fraser to mark Heffernan in the last quarter.
Heffernan conceded the pace of the game was incredibly fast and the tight one-on-one marking was tiring.
“Definitely feeling that man-on-man style, I’ve got someone tagging me at all times, which is different to a bit more space in New Zealand,” she said.
“I feel like Tania [Adelaide coach Tania Obst] and the girls have prepared me and the newbies really well.”
“It certainly felt different, but I feel like we’re settling in pretty well.”
Also sharing the same court was Silver Fern Grace Nweke, who scored 40 goals from 43 attempts for the Swifts.
Fellow NSW player and former Silver Fern Gina Crampton made 10 goal assists at wing attack in her professional return, following the birth of her first child.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
