Kiwi star still very much Lightning conductor

NEW Zealand netball great Laura Langman is no longer in Sunshine Coast colours after her ‘hit-and-won’ 2017 mission.

But Lightning centre Laura Scherian says the crafty Kiwi will be with the reigning champions every step of the way in tomorrow’s Suncorp Super Netball preliminary final against the Giants in Sydney.

Langman, a veteran of more than 140 Tests for New Zealand, was an integral part of the Lightning line-up when they claimed the title last year in their first campaign as a club.

The midcourt dynamo made the gut-wrenching decision to leave the Sunshine Coast after the grand final win over the Giants and return to New Zealand to be eligible for Silver Ferns selection ahead of next year’s World Cup in Liverpool.

The absence of Langman led many to write-off the Lightning’s chances of going back-to-back.

Scherian said the year of training and playing alongside Langman in 2017 had left a lasting and positive impact at the Lightning – both on and off the court.

“Laura Langman left some shoes you can never fill but we’ve all come together as a group really well and helped each other,” Scherian said.

“Any team is bound to miss her but we’ve put out some really good performances as a team, especially in the second half of the season when we’ve continued to grow and grow.

“I learned so much from her, especially in the centre role. Having her there to guide me was just amazing.

“I still feel like every time I step on the court, I hear her voice inside my head.’’

Scherian said the rock-solid culture at the Lightning meant the club did not reach for the panic button when they started the season with three losses.

That poise under pressure is a quality that will serve the Sunshine Coast well tomorrow when the Lightning and Giants battle for the right to meet the West Coast Fever in the August 26 decider in Perth.

LAURA LANGMAN LEFT SOME SHOES YOU CAN NEVER FILL BUT WE’VE ALL COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP REALLY WELL AND HELPED EACH OTHER LAURA SCHERIAN