ANZ championship: Maddy Turner makes NSW Swifts debut beside a Diamond and Silver Fern
WHEN Maddy Turner hit the court for the NSW Swifts in her first ANZ championship match she found herself wedged between two of the best players in international netball.
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IN the history of netball debuts, this was one to remember.
When Maddy Turner hit the court for the NSW Swifts in her first ANZ championship match she found herself wedged firmly between two of the best players in international netball.
But she still managed to hold her own.
The 20-year-old received the shock of her life with her call-up into the Swifts starting seven for Sunday’s season opener.
“I never expected to be playing, let alone starting.’’ said former South Australian netballer Turner who was signed by the NSW club in the off-season.
When she took the court against Melbourne Vixens the young goal defender had by her side Diamonds goal keeper Sharni Layton and Silver Ferns mid-courter Laura Langman.
“You could say I had plenty of support,’’ laughed Turner whose is sharing a house with Langman, the first New Zealand international to play in Swifts colours.
Turner made six deflections in the match the swifts dominated from the start and won by 14 goals,
Turner was one of an extraordinary 13 players who made their ANZ championship debuts in round one, including teammates Lauren Moore and Amy Sommerville.
Langman was playing her first ever match in Swiifts colours.
On Saturday the Swifts will host New Zealand rivals Magic in round two.
The 5pm match is the second home match for the Swifts.
Magic were defeated in the final 10 seconds of their match against Tactix on Monday night.
But coach Rob Wright is expecting a torrid test with the side lead by former Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald.
“No one know us like her,’’ Wright said.
However the home town advantage should work in the favour of the Swifts whose only defeat at Sydney Olympic Park at the hands of Magic was in the 2014 minor semi final.
Originally published as ANZ championship: Maddy Turner makes NSW Swifts debut beside a Diamond and Silver Fern
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