Nellakir and Netball

Nellakir is proud to be involved with the construction and installation of the new indoor courts at the Victorian Netball & Hockey Centre in Royal Park.

Here is the press release from Netball Victoria:

Redeveloped State Netball & Hockey Centre

A key netball facility development project – many years in the making – is now underway, with the State Netball Hockey Centre (SNHC) in Parkville currently under construction.The Andrews Government announced funding of $64.6 million for the redevelopment and expansion of the SNHC.

The huge support of the entire Victorian netball community has also been key to ensuring the project’s progress.

The SNHC is a vital headquarters for netball, hosting more than 5000 participants each week for training, competition and events. Netball has been a tenant of the facility in Royal Park for nearly 80 years.

Please read this safety message now that works have commenced.

Our New Home

The redeveloped centre is due to open in March 2021 and will include:

• 11 indoor netball courts
• New major event and spectator facilities
• Capacity to provide an expanded range of competitions, programs, coaching clinics, tournaments and camps for participants from throughout Victoria
• High Performance facilities to support elite and pathway teams, national teams and visiting international teams
• Administrative headquarters for Netball Victoria and Hockey Victoria
• The Victorian Women in Sport Leadership Centre, nurturing transformational leaders
• Occasional care facilities
• Universal Design Principles to ensure equitable access for all

Source: vic.netball.com.au/snhc

Netball is Australia’s most popular womens sport catering for competitions ranging from Junior through to Senior with an Australia-wide premium competition that has been featured on Free to Air Television – Netball Australia’s 8 team National Competition.

Nellakir have been involved with the construction of most premium competition courts in the Greater Melbourne area and the nearby Regional Cities. The Nellakir team constructed the current Victorian Netball Centre main courts. These are constructed in premium sprung timber sports flooring and can be viewed on our website here. Nellakir are now engaged with the construction and installation of the new courts at the facility.

As well the company is actively involved in cyclical maintenance of a large number of courts both in Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria currently used for premium competitive Netball.

At Nellakir we believe in fostering the sport of Netball as a healthy, regular team sport. The Victorian State Government PPP program is now ensuring that kids have a genuine opportunity to play and participate in most parts of Melbourne and rural Victoria. The PPP (Public Private Partnership) program is ensuring that Netball Courts are incorporated in the majority of new schools built and also with school upgrades.

Netball is a skilful game. It requires quick thinking and action with good hand to eye coordination. It is fast becoming a recognised international sport.

It is more than interesting seeing the sport regain a foothold in the USA. This is where it started many years ago, as a genteel version of Basketball for ‘proper young ladies’. However since those days the game has evolved dramatically and it is now a fast paced, incredibly skilful game with major differences to Basketball. This includes court position, no dribbling the ball, no contact and the three second rule that requires ball disposal within a three second period. It’s a wonderful team sport that encourages the development of physical, mental and social skill sets.

For anyone looking to encourage their children to play sport and exercise, Netball is an excellent choice.

And remember in junior grades boys can play too! So step to it. Netball is the buzz. Enrol your children for real fun and fitness now. And you never know – if they’re playing indoors on a sprung timber sports floor – it’s probably a Nellakir floor!

Call now to arrange a consultation with Nellakir on construction, installation and maintenance of your Timber Sports Flooring and Indoor Stadium requirements. Call 03 9467 6126 and book a free no obligation appointment to discuss your requirements. Nellakir now offer an excellent cyclical court cleaning program that ensures your Competition Courts provide the very best surface for all competitors, young and old.

Nellakir – The Sports Flooring for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

Australia Day – Green vs Gold

Well it’s the Australia Day public holiday on Monday 27th but right now here’s a bit of a treat for our viewers, followers and friends. It’s the Green (Boston Celtics) vs the Gold (LA Lakers) and for some it’s a surprise result with the Lakers going down to the Celtics 107 to 139. (Green and Gold, so Aussie!)

Here are the full game highlights. Kick back and enjoy. The Celtics – with party tricks.

When it comes to the highest levels of competition here in Australia, chances are you are playing on Nellakir Timber Sports Flooring if you’re in Victoria.

Today, with an increasing number of listed Australians playing on NBA extended lists, with the number growing each year, the opportunities for fresh talent to make their way to the premium competition of the NBA are increasing.

Playing on the very best possible surfaces continues to make this opportunity realistic. All Nellakir surfaces are FIBA approved, utilising ASF/Horner patented timber flooring systems.

Ensure your stadium’s playing surface is always maintained professionally for premium performance. Call Nellakir now to book a free, no-obligation consultation on regular annual maintenance and scheduled professional court cleaning.

Call 03 9467 6126 and arrange a time suitable for your requirements to meet with our experienced court technicians. Or simply leave your details here for a prompt reply.

And remember, Nellakir install and maintain Netball Timber Flooring, Multi-use Gymnasium Flooring, Dance Flooring and even Church Flooring.

For expert service and reliable, professional installation of all Sports Flooring, call Nellakir now on 03 9467 6126.

Nellakir – The Premium Sports Flooring choice for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

The 2019 – 2020 NBA Season Rankings as they stand.

Basketball fans world-wide follow the NBA with great interest and intensity. It’s the sports premium competition. Just as the premium playing surface here in Victoria is FIBA approved ASF/Horner Timber Sports Flooring supplied and maintained by Nellakir – the experts in the construction, maintenance and scheduled cleaning of all premium Timber Sports Flooring in Victoria and Tasmania.

The current NBA rankings are as follows (Courtesy of Jason Guilbault and reprinted from Lineup.com)

2020 NBA Power Rankings (Updated 12.13.2019)

1. Los Angeles Lakers

2019-2020 Record 22-3 Previous Rank: 2

Winning nine of their last ten games, and with the big names clicking, the Lakers come in red hot. Anthony Davis and LeBron James are playing like an MVP duo, and that rusty start to the season is nowhere to be found.

2. Milwaukee Bucks

2019-2020 Record: 22-3 Previous Rank: 3

The Bucks have rattled off 16 straight wins at the moment, and are putting up over 120 points per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken his game to another level, and the secondary pieces are all playing well.

3. LA Clippers

2019-2020 Record 19-7 Previous Rank: 5

You could say this Los Angeles team has had a harder time gelling with new names, but now 8-2 in their last ten games, and everyone healthy again, the Clippers have been showing why they are such a tough team to beat.

4. Miami Heat

2019-2020 Record 18-6 Previous Rank: 6

Miami is just seemingly playing under the radar as they have the third best winning percentage in the league right now. Jimmy Butler has been playing excellent basketball, but once again Erik Spolstra has been doing a lot with younger or lesser names.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

2019-2020 Record 19-7 Previous Rank: 10

Philadelphia has struggled on the road this season going 6-7, but they have dominated at home. Defensively they have been excellent, but offense has hit a wall at times. This was expected to be an early season struggle at times, and hopefully it is just that.

6. Toronto Raptors

2019-2020 Record: 16-8 Previous Rank: 8

Toronto has hit some tougher teams in their schedule, and we have seen them showcase where they are exactly at in this league. They are a top ten team for sure, but are closer to ten than they are to one.

7. Houston Rockets

2019-2020 Record: 16-8 Previous Rank: 9

Houston is a tough team to rank right now, as they have been a bit inconsistent to start the season. James Harden is scoring at will, but overall this team doesn’t seem to have quite the same appeal as the last year or two.

8. Dallas Mavericks

2019-2020 Record 17-7 Previous Rank: 12

Dallas is certainly here. They are scoring 118 points per game with Luka Doncic leading the way, and we have yet to see Kristaps Porzingis really click. The Mavericks are 8-2 in their last ten games and have put themselves as one of the better teams in basketball.

9. Indiana Pacers

2019-2020 Record 16-9 Previous Rank: 14

Indiana is 7-3 in their last ten games, and Malcolm Brogdon has strong competition for most improved but we can see what he brings to the Pacers. Domantas Sabonis has also been playing tremendous basketball.
Boston Celtics10. Boston Celtics

10. Boston Celtics

2019-2020 Record 17-7 Previous Rank: 1

It has been a few weeks since I last updated, so you can see a steeper drop here for Boston. They have failed to beat some of the more notable teams of late, and the offense and rebounding still seem iffy.

11. Denver Nuggets

2019-2020 Record 15-8 Previous Rank: 4

A team that was expected to be contenders in the west has not looked to be that just yet. Returning the same core, this is a bit confusing, even with a tougher conference. Defensively they have played well, but the offense comes and goes, and the same goes with Nikola Jokic.

12. Utah Jazz

2019-2020 Record 14-11 Previous Rank: 7

Utah has been a bit disappointing so far this season, but there is still a long way to go. They have slipped of late going 4-6 in their last ten games, as they have really struggled on the road.

13. Brooklyn Nets

2019-2020 Record 13-11 Previous Rank: 17

Brooklyn has gone 9-4 without Kyrie Irving this season, and are a few games over .500 now on the year. This has been a weird season for Brooklyn, and Irving’s return is going to cause more talking points if they slip once he returns.

14. Phoenix Suns

2019-2020 Record 11-13 Previous Rank: 11

We knew Phoenix wasn’t going to keep it up, but this team is already drastically improved upon last year. Deandre Ayton is going to return from suspension fairly soon, which will help.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

2019-2020 Record 11-13 Previous Rank: 18

Oklahoma City has relied upon their strong defense so far this season, and while they are not going anywhere this season, they have been very competitive and not an easy win for the rest of the league.

16. Orlando Magic

2019-2020 Record 11-13 Previous Rank: 20

This is looking a lot like last year’s Orlando team where they are struggling to score, but the defense has been able to keep them in games. They are allowing the fewest points per game this season, but are also scoring the fewest.

17. Sacramento Kings

2019-2020 Record 11-13 Previous Rank: 24

It was a slow start to the season, but the Sacramento Kings have picked up their play. It was going to be tough building upon last season, but the Kings flirting with a .500 record the rest of the way wouldn’t be the worst outcome.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves

2019-2020 Record 10-14 Previous Rank: 13

Currently on a six game losing streak, and 2-8 in the last ten games, Minnesota’s fast start to the season quickly came to a close. Defensively this team continues to be one of the worst in the league.

19. Charlotte Hornets

2019-2020 Record 11-16 Previous Rank: 23

I don’t think anybody expected Charlotte to be this competitive. It comes with Devonte Graham who has blossomed into a machine in the Hornets backcourt. While they still have below average talent around him, the Hornets are not a team to take lightly.

20. Detroit Pistons

2019-2020 Record 10-15 Previous Rank: 21

Detroit continues to play middling basketball, and are 5-5 in the last ten games. Blake Griffin has not looked like himself since returning, and the injury might still be looming.

21. Portland Trail Blazers

2019-2020 Record 10-16 Previous Rank: 16

The Trail Blazers have been one of the more disappointing teams in the league this season, which is surprising after being one of the more consistent teams in the league. However, this might be the year they look to move pieces around Lillard.

22. San Antonio Spurs

2019-2020 Record 9-15 Previous Rank: 15

San Antonio is allowing 115 points per game, which is uncharacteristic for them. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are not a duo that will contend, and the Spurs have to know that.

23. Chicago Bulls

2019-2020 Record 9-17 Previous Rank: 27

Chicago is on their way to at least surpassing last year’s win total, but they remain one of the poorer teams in the league. Zach LaVine leads a stagnant offense, and we haven’t seen bigger steps from the young guy.

24. Memphis Grizzlies

2019-2020 Record 8-16 Previous Rank: 25

Memphis has a young core that is fun to watch, and they are pushing the pace more than any other season prior. The wins won’t come, but at least Memphis is a team we get excited to watch.

25. Washington Wizards

2019-2020 Record 7-16 Previous Rank: 29

The Wizards have a young team of names they are looking to see if they fit in the future. It won’t be a pretty record, but this Wizards team can put up points in bunches, unfortunately they are allowing over 120 per game.

26. Atlanta Hawks

2019-2020 Record 6-19 Previous Rank: 19

Atlanta continues to spiral out of control, which is a bummer after I believed they could be a team to push the playoff picture given the talented young squad. That prediction looks to be a year away.

27. New Orleans Pelicans

2019-2020 Record 6-19 Previous Rank: 26

There were higher expectations than what they likely should have had. New Orleans has now lost ten straight games, and continue to allow teams to run right through them offensively.

28. Cleveland Cavaliers

2019-2020 Record 6-19 Previous Rank: 22

Cleveland has listed about everyone for a possible trade as they are 6-19 and heading back down in the standings to where they were last season. This team will get worse once Kevin Love is traded.

29. Golden State Warriors

2019-2020 Record: 5-21 Previous Rank: 30

Golden State is just flat out taking a year off after being the best team in the league over the last five years. With the lineups they are rolling out due to injuries, it is no surprise.

30. New York Knicks

2019-2020 Record 5-20 Previous Rank: 28

The Knicks are the Knicks. They continue to be ran in a horrendous fashion. Dave Fizdale has now been fired, and this is not a job I would want moving forward.

Source: lineups.com

For a complete court maintenance and cleaning program, please call 03 9467 6126. Book in a free consultation from one of our expert technicians and start the new decade in 2020 on the right foot. For premium performance on all Timber Sports Flooring, always rely on Nellakir, the sports flooring experts. Leave your details here for a prompt reply.

Nellakir – Timber Sports Flooring for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

It’s Summer and it’s time for Annual Court Maintenance with Nellakir.

With the School holidays upon us soon and local competitions going into recess for the summer holiday break, Nellakir actually picks up the pace. It’s that time of year where many facilities with Sprung Timber Sports Flooring undertake annual maintenance – re-sanding, linemarking and re-coating.

But before we commence on maintenance – check out these new projects we are contracted for. A regional project has been confirmed for the Twin Rivers Primary School, Echuca’s newest school. As Stage 2 of the project gets underway, Nellakir are pleased to announce the construction of a new multipurpose Court and Gymnasium with premium Timber Sports Flooring by ASF/Horner to be installed.

Twin Rivers Primary School, Echuca

As well the Nellakir team have also been given the go ahead on replacing the flooring on the double court facility at the Warracknabeal Sports and Leisure Centre, in regional Victoria.

Warracknabeal Sports and Leisure Centre

Then the real fun starts with Re-coats, Linemarking and annual cyclical maintenance occurring throughout Victoria.

In Gippsland, Nellakir will be doing re-coats and associated works through December and January at Traralgon, Warragul, Foster, Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Sale.

Traralgon Sports Stadium

In Bairnsdale at the Sports and Leisure Stadium, a major maintenance project on 4 courts which includes re-sanding, re-coating and new linemarking will be undertaken.

Elsewhere in Victoria, court annual maintenance will be occurring at Ballarat, Terang, Kyobram, Hamilton and Mansfield.

It makes sense to call in Victoria’s leading experts in the Maintenance and Construction of Timber Flooring to ensure your facility has an absolutely premium playing surface for next year. For a free, no-obligation consultation and quotation, please call Nellakir on 03 9467 6126 or leave your details here for a prompt response to your enquiry [LINK]

Myrtleford Stadium

Always select Nellakir for construction, replacement, maintenance and scheduled professional cleaning of all Timber Sports Flooring – it’s simply the right decision.

Nellakir – Sports Flooring for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

The NBA hots up – Cavs vs 76’s

This week we saw one of the season’s closest games – the exciting match up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76’s Aussie Ben Simmons starred in the 76’s 1 point win 98-97. Here’s the video and a full report.

Two for one: Cavs come up just short in 98-97 loss to 76ers

This wasn’t bad at all.

The Cavs lost to the 76ers Tuesday night by a final score of 98-97 in a game where the team led by as many as five in the final three minutes. At the end, Kevin Love had an open three on Cleveland’s last shot, but it was too strong and that was that. Sometimes it really is a make or miss league. Also not helping: the Cavs’ offense not scoring for the final three minutes-plus.

That said, this was not all bad. This was, frankly, a largely encouraging performance from the Cavs against a legit NBA Finals contender. Let’s get into it.

POSITIVE: Tristan Thompson crushed it again

Philadelphia is a tough matchup for Thompson. Joel Embiid has a size advantage and there’s only so much he can really do to slow Embiid down. And with Embiid guarding him, there’s reason to think he’ll struggle a bit on offense, particularly when crashing the offensive glass.

But Thompson was again excellent on Tuesday. Embiid got his 27 points, but Thompson made him earn it for the most part. On offense, Thompson co-led the team with 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds (four offensive) and shot 7-13 from the field. He also made two three-pointers and again showed why he’s still a good, dependable player for the Cavs. Through 10 games, he’s been this team’s MVP.

NEGATIVE: The last three minutes

The Cavs’ last play of the game was actually a good design. After an inbounds pass, Jordan Clarkson (who was also good and had 20 points) ran a little pick-and-pop with Kevin Love. Love then pump faked, got his three and missed. It was a good set and coach John Beilein has to be at least happy with the process.

Before that, though, things got really rough for the Cavs’ offense. The team didn’t score for the final three minutes at a time when a few key baskets might have put the 76ers away. Miscues included Love missing from four-feet out, a shot clock violation, a Collin Sexton turnover and an unnecessary Thompson three-pointer.

The whole time the game was on the line, the Cavs played frenzied. Considering the youth on the team, that makes sense. Time will tell how many more lessons they need in navigating some choppy waters.

POSITIVE: Darius Garland makes some plays even when he struggles

This was not a banner game for Garland. Stylistically, the 76ers’ size was hard for him to deal with and he finished with 6 points on 3-10 shooting in 28 minutes. He did also have 2 assists — against zero turnovers — and three steals.

Everything about Garland was super impressive when he was up against Matisse Thybulle, perhaps the best defensive rookie in the NBA. And when he knows Embiid is coming to contest his shot, he goes soft with the finish off the glass. That’s a player who has a clear feel for the game, even on a night where he struggles. That’s a good sign for Garland and the Cavs.

Source: fearthesword.com

When preparing for a major game or tournament, call Nellakir to ensure you present a premium surface. Nellakir are the leading experts in the construction, maintenance and scheduled cleaning of all Timber Sports Flooring. Utilising the FIBA approved ASF/Horner Sports Flooring Systems exclusive to Nellakir in Victoria and Tasmania, Nellakir provide championship surfaces in Sprung Timber Flooring at all levels of competition.

Call now on 03 9467 6126 or leave your details here for a prompt response to your enquiry.

Nellakir – The Timber Sports Flooring for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

The Constellation Cup – Australia defeats New Zealand for the seventh year.

The Kiwis just missed. Australia won the Constellation Cup series in Perth. With both teams taking 2 wins it came down to percentage.

Netball has long been the most popular sport for women and girls in Australia. There was a time when in the winter the boys would play football and the girls would play netball.  That’s just how it was.  However, these days, there are many more sports to choose from and girls are venturing into previously male dominated sports.  But, netball still has a very high participation level, with over 37% of girls aged 6-13 playing netball.

Accordingly, this high level of participation and a strong grassroots organisation has put the Australian women’s team (The Diamonds) at the top of the world rankings for many years.  Taking out numerous Commonwealth Games and World Cup Gold Medals.

The most popular national sport in Australia is Cricket, in which Australians are very successful at. There are two major football codes Rugby League played predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland, and Aussie Rules popular in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Rugby Union and Association Football (known mostly as Soccer) is also played. The most popular female sport is Netball.

And we pay due homage to the all conquering Diamonds who simply blitzed the Silver Ferns in the final game of the series in Perth.

Kiwi coach slams refereeing as Diamonds win Constellation Cup

New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua has launched an extraordinary spray at Singaporean referee Joan Yuliani after the Australian Diamonds retained the Constellation Cup with a 53-46 netball win in Perth.

The Diamonds blitzed the Silver Ferns with a 16-7 opening-quarter onslaught at RAC Arena on Sunday, and led by as many as 16 goals during the second term as their suffocating pressure proved too much to handle.

Noeline Taurua was not happy with the officiating in the fourth Test

But with star shooter Maria Folau nailing almost everything that came her way, the Silver Ferns reduced the margin to seven goals in the third quarter, and then just four goals with seven minutes remaining.

The Diamonds kept their cool at the death to secure the win and level the series at 2-2, claiming the Constellation Cup on superior goal percentage.

But it was the quality of refereeing that was a big talking point after the match, with Taurua furious at Yuliani’s performance.

New Zealand are renowned for their on-court discipline, often committing 25 per cent less fouls than Australia whenever the arch-rivals meet.

But Sunday’s match told a different statistical tale, with NZ called for 66 penalties to Australia’s 63.

The Diamonds celebrate their Constellation Cup victory

Taurua believed many of those calls were wrong, and even went to the trouble of analysing the foul count from the past five matches between the two sides to prove her point.

She said the fact that Yuliani was handed the refereeing gig in the fourth Test despite not officiating in any of the previous three matches of the series was a huge mistake.

“We have somebody that comes in from Singapore – where are they ranked? – and blows it [the interpretations of the rules] out of the window,” Taurua said.

“I thought the Diamonds were confused [as well] to some respect.

“One minute it’s a two-second held ball, next minute it’s a four-minute held ball, next minute there’s nothing, there’s no call at all.

“That really disturbs me, because we are not a 60-penalty team. We want to put something out there that’s really competitive.

“But yet the decisions that are made behind the scenes in regards to that quality is unacceptable. For that I’m really disappointed.”

Taurua made a special point to praise the Diamonds, declaring them the better team on the day.

But she said the issue of referee quality needed to be addressed, and she’s vowed to put in a formal complaint.

Star Diamonds goal shooter Caitlin Bassett nailed 25 of her 28 goal attempts to ensure she celebrated her 100-game milestone with a win in front of 13,233 fans – a new netball record crowd for Perth.

The win was also the perfect send-off for retiring shooter Caitlin Thwaites, who replaced Bassett in the third quarter to finish with six goals.

The retiring Caitlin Thwaites waves farewell to the crowd

“Definitely the pressure’s off,” Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said after the match.”I just had the feeling they weren’t going to let it slip. We practised all week. They just dug in and they dug really deep, and they did a fantastic job.”

The victory was sweet revenge for Australia, who lost the World Cup final to New Zealand by a goal in July, and also twice lost to the Silver Ferns during the current series by a goal.

Source: smh.com.au

When preparing your playing surface for high level competition or just the weekend’s local games, trust Nellakir to ensure delivery of an absolute premium playing surface for all Timber Sports Flooring. Nellakir are the leading experts in the construction, maintenance and professional scheduled cleaning of all Sprung Timber Sports Flooring in Victoria and Tasmania.

Call now on 03 9467 6126 and arrange a free consultation with one of our technicians or simply leave your details here for a prompt response to your enquiry.

Nellakir – The Sports Flooring for Current and Future Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.

Australia vs New Zealand – Netball – The Classic Contest

The Constellation Cup. Game 2 and Australia make up for the loss in Game 1. With the rivalry between the nations at an all time high (remember the Commonwealth Games?) – this is proving to be an interesting series.

Netball is both the most popular and the fastest growing team sport in Australia for women. Nellakir is proud to support the sport and provide first class Timber Sports Flooring for competition courts right throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

Here is the report on the game played in Auckland earlier this week…

Diamonds shine bright to level Constellation Cup series

Australia have atoned for their first-up loss to New Zealand in the Constellation Cup with a 48-42 victory in Auckland.

Lisa Alexander’s team lifted for the master coach in her 100th Test, levelling the four match series at 1-1 on Wednesday night.

Gretel Tippett starred in Australia’s win over New Zealand with 23 points

Gretel Tippett (23/24) was supreme under the ring, ably assisted by captain Caitlin Bassett (17/20) and Tegan Philip (8/9).

But this was a win masterminded by the back.

Goal keeper Courtney Bruce subdued the Maria Folau-led Silver Ferns attack with an intensity that lifted the whole Diamonds side.

She made five intercepts and was called for obstruction just four times in a defensive masterclass.

‘‘She just controlled the circle. She patrolled the circle tonight. It was absolutely fantastic to watch,’’ Alexander said.

Only once in the match did the contest look to be slipping from Australia’s grasp – the third-quarter spell when Folau (31/41) sank six shots without reply to whittle the Diamonds’ lead from 10 to four.

The four-Test series now heads to Sydney and Perth, where wins will allow Australia to retain the trans-Tasman trophy for the seventh-straight time.

‘‘We’ve put ourselves in a great position now for the rest of the series,’’ Alexander said. ‘‘We’ll go home and land and feel like winners.’’

While the Diamonds boasted historical dominance over the Kiwis, New Zealand had won the previous two hitouts – including the World Cup final – by a single goal.

So when Bassett missed her first effort of the night to the delight of the sold-out crowd, the Kiwis were confident.

It was the only time they led all night. Australia shot at 100 per cent for the rest of the quarter and kept up their sharpness.

Together with Jo Weston, Bruce showed superb intensity inside the circle.

Australia’s three-goal quarter-time lead was whittled to one when a contentious stepping call on Tippett went against the goal attack.

But the Diamonds responded, with Bruce leading the way. Her three first-half intercepts each led to Australian goals, helping the visitors to a five-goal lead at the break.

Maria Folau did her best to spark something for the Silver Ferns

Tippett was rested as one of three half-time changes, allowing Philip to return to international netball for the first time in three years.

Alexander’s switch-ups didn’t slow Australia, who soon boasted a 10-goal lead that should have killed the contest.

Instead, Folau roared the Silver Ferns to life with a superb run.

The veteran attacker had a chance to narrow the lead to three on the eve of the last change, only to miss a long-range effort to end a damaging streak.

Bassett sat out the fourth quarter, with Philip deputising superbly as the Diamonds shut out hopes of a Kiwi comeback.

Source: smh.com.au

For a perfect playing surface every time, contact Nellakir on 03 9467 6126 and book our premium scheduled professional court cleaning program for your facility. Ultimately, with proper regular cleaning, annual maintenance costs can be reduced and unnecessary costly damage avoided. Nellakir are the leading experts in the construction and maintenance of all Timber Sports Flooring in both Victoria and Tasmania.

Visit our website and leave your contact details for further information on all aspects of Sprung Timber Sports Flooring Construction. Nellakir use ASF/Horner Sports Flooring Systems exclusively as approved by FIBA, the international basketball body.

Nellakir – The Sports Flooring for Champions.

Nellakir helps young athletes reach their goals by providing the highest quality Sprung Timber Sports Floor playing surfaces.