ANZ Championship: NSW Swifts defender Sharni Layton ready to get down to business against Firebirds
IT’S State of Origin, netball style. But to Swifts defender Sharni Layton, the Swifts v Firebirds top-of-the-table clash is just business.
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IT’S State of Origin, netball style.
A much-anticipated blockbuster Grand Final rematch between the NSW Swifts and the Queensland Thunderbirds which will deliver one team boasting rights as the form team a third of the way through the 2016 netball season.
But to Swifts defender Sharni Layton, it’s just business. About getting a job done.
Layton has declared her NSW side ready and able for the test which will end the undefeated run of one of Australia’s two unbeaten teams in the ANZ championship.
But with a record 17 straight wins to their name, it will be defending champions, the Firebirds, who go into the match as favourites.
“To be honest I’m just excited. I want it to be on now,’’ said the Diamonds defender tasked with helping contain one of the best shooters in the game in Jamaican high-flyer Romelda Aiken.
“This is going to be a real step up in terms of the challenge. We know we have to play our best.
“But we have a real belief we can win this game.’’
The rewards for victory on Saturday in Brisbane are significant.
Along with boasting rights and a confidence boost, the winner will claim top position on the ANZ championship league ladder outright for the first time in five rounds of competition.
Layton said while fans will thrive on the State of Origin aspect of the match, she is working to keep all emotion out of her preparation for the match-up.
“The State of Origin aspect is exciting for fans,’’ she said,
“But for us, this is business. It’s our job.
“It’s not an emotional thing. We can’t be emotional about it because that just doesn’t help you at the end of the day.
“Emotions are things that can mess things up.’’
Layton said a major personnel overhaul in the off-season has kiboshed any suggestion the Swifts are motivated by their one-goal loss to the Firebirds in the heartbreaking 2015 season decider.
“This is about us and what we are doing now,’’ she said of a Swifts side which has dramatically changed shape due to the injection of numerous rookies and the one of the world’s leading mid-courters into the line-up in New Zealand star Laura Langman.
“We don’t need to inject any more feeling into our game.’’
WHAT: Queensland Firebirds v NSW Swifts round five clash.
WHERE: Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
WHEN: Saturday 5pm
TV: Fox.
Originally published as ANZ Championship: NSW Swifts defender Sharni Layton ready to get down to business against Firebirds
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