Gretel happy to host best mate ... and a win would help
FIREBIRDS shooting star Gretel Tippett is more than happy to play host to best friend and former teammate Kim Ravaillion tonight.
But only if they have triumphed over Ravaillion’s starstudded Collingwood in the Suncorp Super Netball blockbuster at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Ravaillion left the Firebirds after last year’s championship after receiving an offer too good to refuse from the Mag- pies but has remained close to ex-housemate and business partner Tippett.
The Diamonds centre will be staying at Tippett’s home tonight after the match that pits the two netball powerhouses together for the first time with internationals all over the court.
Tippett said things may become a little awkward if Collingwood win.
“She (Ravaillion) will be staying at mine after the game. Hopefully she is a bit nice on court otherwise she can sleep outside,’’ Tippett laughed.
“I keep in contact with her pretty much every day. I do miss her but I think it will be different out on court.
“You always want to put your best foot forward against an old teammate and show what they are missing out on.
“After the game there will be a lot of banter but none beforehand, we’ve got too much respect for each other.
“Out on court, it’s too fastpaced for anything (to be said). I might give her a sneaky bum tap when she runs past.’’
Tippett said nobody at the Firebirds thinks less of the two-time championship winning centre for leaving given the magnitude of the Collingwood offer and hopes the crowd welcomes Ravaillion back to the happy hunting ground at Southbank “with open arms’’.