Youngster may gun down Geitz’s Games goal
MEET the tower of strength that could stand between Laura Geitz and a place in the Australian netball team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
If anybody thought golden girl Geitz would waltz back into the Diamonds line-up for the Gold Coast Games in April next year, young gun Courtney Bruce provided a stark reminder that the World Cupwinning captain will have to earn her berth.
Bruce, 23, made a dream Test debut in the 54-50 win over England in the Quad Series opener at Boondall on Saturday when she also walked away with MVP honours.
The 189cm-tall goal keeper collected five intercepts, eight deflections and four rebounds to up the ante in the competition for defensive spots, with Geitz and Sharni Layton set to come back into the mix along with current squad members April Brandley, Jo Weston and Emily Mannix.
Bruce has played 42 national league matches for the West Coast Fever and was selected for the Quad Series tour of England and South Africa at the start of the year but did not play a Test.
She did star for Australia at the Fast Five tournament last year as part of her journey to a coveted first full appearance for the Diamonds.
Bruce said making her Test debut alongside former Fever teammate and new Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett made the day even more special.
“It stills feels like I’m dreaming a little bit,’’ she said.
“It was really exciting to be standing next to Bass, someone I’ve known since I was 14 or 15.”