IN a new series, Draft Central casts an eye over the top performer from the round taking into account now only their individual stats but their overall impact on the game. Round 7 of the ANZ Premiership saw a number of key players, lead the way for their respective teams and put their best foot forward. Earning her first Player of the Week nomination is defender Karin Burger.

The goal defence had a clear focus in Round 7 and that was to win the ball. Burger injected herself into the action instantaneously dropping into the space to snatch up an intercept and win ball back for the Tactix. Her fancy footwork was also on display, often twisting herself inside out to reel in ball and continue to pressure her opponent. Up against quality opposition in Jamie Hume and Maia Wilson, Burger showcased her high netball IQ to swing from a tag team on Wilson to a hard one-on-one against Hume to keep the Stars on edge. This ability enabled the Tactix to mount pressure and regain possession time and time again.

Looking at her partnership with Jane Watson, it was arguably the most in-sync the duo have been all season. Watson and Burger moved as a unit from go-to-woe to confuse the space inside the circle and  cherry pick passes while their ability to compete for the rebound was also crucial. Burger was a force to be reckoned with and most importantly went about her business in a clean way to reduce the impact from the umpire. Her ability to use the outside arm and implement her quick footwork enabled her to get around the body of her opponent and create turnovers aplenty, although the Tactix fell agonisingly short in overtime.

Burger pestered her opponent, wearing Hume like a glove in the opening half and reducing her impact. She was a real workhorse and forced the goal attack to shoot from further out credit to her ability to shut down the drive into the circle and be a real barrier in defence. The goal defence contested everything, coming out hard at the centre pass and used her long arms to limit the vision into the circle which enabled Watson to come out hunting.

Not only was Burger impressive down back but her work through the midcourt and on transition was second to none. She was involved in just about every attacking foray sitting up high at the transverse line to provide that outlet pass for her teammates. Burger consistently re-offered to help alleviate the pressure and slotted into the space nicely through the midcourt to ensure she did not clog up the space. Burger was not afraid to unleash the long outlet pass and backed herself in on the drive through the centre third to give the Tactix another option when stuck in attack.

It was an all-round silky performance from Burger and arguably her best to-date since crossing to the Tactix and re-familiarising herself with the goal defence position as she competed for a full 60 minutes plus overtime. Her never-say-die attitude and hard work was paramount to keeping the Tactix in it as she finished with seven gains, three intercepts five deflections and only eight penalties.