ANZ Championship: NSW Swifts’ import Laura Langman believes netballers a good fit for AFL

A NEW sporting challenge could be in the future of NSW Swifts import Laura Langman post her netball career.

NSW Swifts player Laura Langman, the clubs first New Zealand import.

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NEW Zealand star Laura Langman’s imminent priority is helping the NSW Swifts to lift the final ANZ championship trophy and then the Silver Ferns back to the top of the world netball rankings.

But somewhere down the track Langman has admitted she wouldn’t mind taking a look at tackling the game of AFL.

Based in Sydney with the NSW Swifts, the Silver Ferns midcourter has seen first-hand the growing interest and excitement in Australia in the inaugural AFL competition for women in 2017.

The eight-team national competition will be played from February to March with the GWS Giants one of the clubs involved and the competition involving six home-and-away rounds, two semi-finals and a grand final.

NSW Swifts Laura Langman in full flight for the NSW Swifts against the Firebirds. Pic Brett Costello

Langman believes the fitness, strength and agility of netballers would be a good fit for the game.

“I’ve even been tempted to think about it myself,’’ admitted Langman, regarded as one of the best and fittest netballers in the world.

“I do think netball lends itself to the sport.’’

While AFL could potentially be in her future, right now the Queensland Firebirds are in the NSW Swifts midcourter’s sights.

The two top teams in the country will clash on Monday in Brisbane in the Australian Conference final.

A win will see the Swifts host a semi-final — and put them on track to potentially host the grand final of the last ever ANZ championship trans-Tasman netball competition later this month.

“It comes down to having seven athletes who both attack and defend,’’ Langman said.

“I think being effective and smart with our speed is another real strength.’’

Langman believes her time as the Swifts’ first New Zealand import has both improved her game and freshened her mentally.

Laura Langman will play a crucial role in the midcourt for the NSW Swifts against the Firebirds in the Australian Conference finals.

“I definitely think it has improved me as a player,’’ said Langman, in the Silver Ferns side which finished runner-up to Australia at last year’s world netball championships in Sydney.

“I’m super looking forward to the international calendar.

“I believe (her time with the Swifts) has improved me and that’s something I’m hoping to take back to New Zealand.’’

A highlight of Monday’s game will be the battle between super shooters Caitlin Thwaites for the Swifts and Romelda Aiken for the Firebirds.

Aiken has shot a staggering 571 goals from 646 attempts at 88.4 per cent.

Thwaites, who shares the load more equally with shooting partners Susan Pettitt and Steph Woods, has netted 443 from 496 at a slightly higher 89.3 per cent strike rate.