EACH week Draft Central will analyse player performances from across the round in the ANZ Premiership and determine a “Player of the Week” based on game day performances. A player can be nominated as many times as deemed necessary given their individual performance across the round.

Central Pulse wing defence Karin Burger proved just what she is capable of in Round 9 picking up a wealth of ball and imposing herself across the court to earn herself Player of the Week honours. Although her side only managed to win one of their two games her performance and output did not waiver in either match as the wing defence went tooth and nail to put up a wall in defence. Her three-foot marking was sublime, making full use of her wingspan to block her oppositions vision into the circle and make life hard in the defensive third.

Burger was on song from the opening whistle against the Southern Steel going toe-to-toe with fellow Silver Ferns midcourter Gina Crampton to all but nullify her influence around circle edge thanks to her close marking and constant niggle. Her ability to cut off her drive and apply hands over pressure sent the Steel attack end into a tizz, unable to work the ball down the court. Burger was rewarded for her efforts throughout the match racking up four gains and two pick-ups credit to her read of the play. While her defensive pressure was immense her work through the centre third to bring the ball down the court did not go unnoticed with the wing defence backing up on the transverse line and using her drive to cut through the defence.

Although the Pulse struggled to have their usual impact in their clash against the Mainland Tactix, Burger did not skip a beat. She injected plenty of spark in the side with her speed off the mark to constantly get hands to ball to disrupt the flow in attack. she was constantly on the lookout for any cross court balls while her quick footwork and long arms caused havoc around circle edge with Burger forcing tips and turnovers. Opposed to speedster Erikana Pedersen and picking up Kimiora Poi in defence, Burger worked in overdrive to limit their space and access to the top of the goal circle and once again collected a wealth of ball with four intercepts and two pick-ups.

Her strong connection with Katrina Rore and Kelly Jury paid dividends with the wing defence able to feed off their energy and positioning to apply a full court press and smother the opposition. Their collective pressure enabled Burger to go out hunting and leave her player unmarked in hope to roam freely and get intercepts. On the taller side for a wing defence, Burger makes the most of her height with her reach over the pass and deceptively quick footwork to shut down space and run her opponent ragged.