Battle of the Brits to shape Netball clash
New Zealand international Laura Langman is returning from injury for Sunshine Coast Lightning's top of the table clash with Giants Netball in Sippy Downs on Saturday night.
Langman has recovered from a foot injury which required minor surgery.
The Lightning (two wins, one draw) are looking to extend their unbeaten record against Super Netball's other new heavyweights, the Giants who are three from three.
The clash has a distinct international feel with Lightning's English defender Geva Mentor to line up against her countrywomen Jo Harten at goal shooter and Serena Guthrie at centre.
The Sunshine Coast skipper, who leads the league for deflections (21), said the match would provide Lightning with a gauge on how they're performing.
"The Giants are in great form and although they are a new club too they do have a few more established combinations in different areas throughout the court," Mentor told AAP.
"I think they will be a really good bench mark for us to see where we are as a team."
Mentor said is particularly looking forward to her match up with Harten.
"Personally it's pleasing for me to see that Jo has carried that form from the quad series in January through to the domestic league out here and it's great to see her growing in confidence each game," Mentor told AAP.
"But on the flip side of that it obviously provides more of a challenge for me but that's what I really look forward to in these games.
"Jo being a leftie, she's a little bit unorthodox in her movement and her style of play ... I enjoy it as a challenge and I think it's really going to test me and actually improve my game as well."
Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said her side must improve on their winning performance against Collingwood last week to topple the classy Lightning side.
"What we are aiming to do in this competition is be a little bit better every week and we've managed to do that in our first three games," Fitzgerald said.
"The Sunshine Coast is a team I rate very, very highly. I think they have recruited very well and are a team that gel well together with a good coaching staff so I have great respect for them."
