IT all comes down to this, with the grand final match set to be decided between NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball. The latter secured the minor premiership while the Swifts secured the first spot in the big dance. With key match-ups across the court Draft Central casts an eye inside the circle with Sarah Klau and Jo Harten set to battle it out.

NSW Swifts vs. GIANTS Netball
Sarah Klau (GK) vs. Jo Harten (GS)

A couple of internationals are set to go head to head with both players integral cogs in their respective teams with their composure and smarts enabling them to have profound impacts on the outcome of games.

There is no denying that Harten is quite literally the spiritual leader out on court with her passion and enthusiasm often spurring her side on. her ability to stand up at the big moments and deliver is second to none while her overall smarts makes her incredibly hard to stop. Boasting a wealth of experience both at an international level and at a Suncorp Super Netball level, the goal shooter has a big bag of tricks that she can choose from when out on court. Harten has proven throughout her career that she can shake things up with the drop of a hat. Able to play both a holding goal shooter or a moving one, Harten is a versatile option in attack and can keep the defenders on their toes with her clever holds and drives along the baseline. The England international is a real team player able to bring her partner-in-crime in 19-year-old Sophie Dwyer into the game with their ever-growing shooter to shooter connection blossoming each and every game. Harten is capable of pulling off the unthinkable with her fancy footwork along the baseline, impeccable timing and balance to keep the ball in play. not only is her connection with Dwyer strong, but so too the midcourters in both Maddie Hay and Jamie-Lee Price. Harten is more than willing to back herself from range, happy to take the super shot while she also possesses the smarts to edge herself closer to the post. her accuracy is also another focal point of her game and while she is known to get a bit hot under the collar, uses that passion to make things happen in attack.

Klau has hit her straps at the right time of the year for the Swifts with the goal keeper a real menace down back. Despite her height she has deceptive speed and can cover the court in a blink of an eye and most importantly is not afraid to go out hunting to cause doubt in the opposition minds. The goal keeper is relatively clean and does not give away a wealth of penalties which in turn allows her to build momentum and create turnovers with her constant niggle and tussle for space inside the goal circle. Klau has a great reach over the shot often imposing herself to force held balls and regain possession for the Swifts. She is never out of the contest and works in overdrive to combine with Maddy Turner to create a moving circle and opportunities to change the course of the game. The goal keeper usually adopts a more on the body style of defence but has proven she is more than capable of taking away the space and lulling the opposition into a fake sense of security to produce turnover ball. Klau connects well with Maddy Proud, Lauren Moore and Paige Hadley through the midcourt to transition the ball out of defence such is her netball IQ.

The battle between Harten and Klau is going to be an entertaining one to say the least. With their own standout attributes it will be up to which player is able to play their own game and maintain that cool, calm and collected temperament. If Harten is able to dictate the space inside attack and use her footwork to keep Klau at bay then the Swifts could find themselves in hot water, given the momentum she provides the entire GIANTS outfit. But if Klau blankets Harten and her movement then the Swifts will be able to propel themselves out of defence and into attack.

Photo credit: SSN