IT is hard to narrow down just 10 players from both New Zealand and Australia that have had an everlasting impact on the game with both countries boasting players full of class, star-power and excitement. This list is purely opinion-based, taking into consideration longevity, international caps and perceived impact on-court.

#1 Irene Van Dyk – New Zealand (GS)

There is no denying that Van Dyk is arguably one of the world’s best goal shooters with her silky movement and sheer endurance. The netball superstar played 217 caps of which 74 were with South Africa, and the remainder with the Silver Ferns. Her cool, calm and collected nature steered her side to many victories, allowing her to quickly become one of Australia’s biggest nemeses under the post. She was simply unstoppable, able to turn a game on its head in a blink of an eye credit to her strong holds, perfect placement and most importantly, accuracy, hardly ever missing a shot.

#2 Laura Geitz – Australia (GK/GD)

The former Diamonds captain is nothing but class. All eyes would turn to her knowing something special would happen every time she took the court, credit to her physical presence, impeccable timing and general netball smarts to get around the body of an opponent or do the unthinkable just when her side needed it. She sensed the moment time and time again and was a real inspiration on court, consistently leading from the front and spurring her side on.

#3 Sharelle McMahon – Australia (GA/GS)

The Australian goaler was a true mastermind on the court, able to exploit the space with her dynamic movement. Her movement paired with her impressive accuracy proved to be hard to stop for opposition defenders trying to shut down the talented shooter. McMahon could singlehandedly jolt a side back into action with clever plays and silky connections, forging key partnerships in attack to provide a dangerous attack-line for the Diamonds.

#4 Liz Ellis – Australia (GK)

Ellis is one of the most influential goal keepers in Australian netball history with her attacking flair and willingness to take the game on. She controlled the airways with her intercepting abilities and used her height to swat away passes entering the circle. Ellis was one of a kind, renowned for her pressure over the shot, quick feet and cleanliness at the contest, reigning supreme over key opposition players again and again.

#5 Casey Kopua – New Zealand (GD/GK)

A true leader and inspiration on court, with her defensive prowess constantly on display. Kopua can light a game up with her match-winning style of play, able to take a huge intercept or force a turnover such is her imposing nature. Her competitive spirit and physical style of play turns heads along with her ability to read the play and gobble up any cross-court balls.

#6 Cath Cox – Australia (GS/GA)

She was a staple hold in the Diamonds uniform, playing in 108 tests thanks to her impressive endurance, class and accuracy. Cox was nothing short of consistent and reliable, able to shoot from anywhere in the circle and convert. Her footwork was effortless on the court, able to hold strong under the post or get off the body to find her own space.

#7 Anna Harrison – New Zealand (GD/GK/WD)

The lanky defender was renowned for her defensive antics, especially initiating the chair lift. Despite her slight stature she could impact the contest with ease to become a commanding presence in the defensive circle and would use her aerial skills to force turnovers, deflections and intercepts.

#8 Joline Henry – New Zealand (WD/GD)

She was a key cog in the Ferns defensive line-up, often blocking the wing attack’s drives and movements to the top of the circle. Her physical game style upset many attackers who struggled to combat the intense pressure and shadowing nature of her game play. Her hands over pressure was second to none blocking the vision of her opponents and forcing rushed passes or held balls.

#9 Kathryn Harby-Williams – Australia (GD/WD)

The talented Aussie defender was renowned for making her opponents’ lives hard with her imposing figure and skill to shut them down. She made it hard for the goalers to shoot and enter the circle with her smart movement across the court while applying a wealth of pressure out the front to block her opponents vision.

#10 Temepara Bailey – New Zealand (C/WA)

Bailey was a pocket rocket on court able to feed from all areas of the attacking third thanks to her impressive vision, strength and variety of passes to slice through the opposition defence. She was a real barometer through the midcourt, able to control the flow of the play and work her way through the pressure to deliver well-weighted passes into her goalers.