‘‘I’m being a bit selfish at the moment’’ The switch that saw Silver Ferns star Karin Burger find top form
A switch from wingdefence to goal-defence has resulted in careerbest form for Silver Ferns and Tactix standout.
Watching Karin Burger snaffle defensive turnovers at will, it’s easy to forget this is her first full season at goal-defence.
The 26-test Silver Fern has enjoyed a stellar ANZ Premiership campaign with the Mainland Tactix after making the tough decision to shift south from the Central Pulse.
Burger and fellow Ferns star Jane Watson have formed an imposing defensive combination for the high-flying Tactix, who have won five straight games and will play in next Sunday’s elimination final (2 v 3) against the Southern Steel.
It has been some season for the 28-year-old, who has been the competition’s form defender and the premiership MVP in many people’s eyes. Heading into the final round, Burger is first for intercepts (39), second for rebounds (26), and fourth for deflections (57).
Burger had seen court-time at goal-defence in the past, but this was the first time she had spent a full season in the position.
At the Pulse, she mostly played wing-defence with Silver Ferns centurion Katrina Rore in the GD bib.
She started out as a goal-keep in her homeland of South Africa because ‘‘my fitness stopped me from playing anything else’’. After making the big move to New Zealand as an 18-year-old in 2012, Burger also initially played there before sliding to wingdefence.
Part of the reason she signed with the Tactix was to develop as a goal-defence, probably her long-term position with the Silver Ferns, and play alongside national team-mate Watson.
‘‘I think that’s why I got the nerves a little bit as well [joining the Tactix] when I moved here and the whole positional change,’’ Burger said ahead of today’s home game against the Mystics.
‘‘Ever since I played ANZ, it’s only been wing D (defence), so I didn’t want to put that expectation out there that I was going to play just as well at goal D (defence), because I knew it was a different position, a new team. It’s a new environment for me. I just didn’t know what to expect.’’
Moving from wing-defence to the defensive circle was a major adjustment, Burger said. Some elite defenders are capable of smoothly shifting between the two positions, but many haven’t been able to do it successfully.
Burger has excelled at goal defence and given how well she has performed, picking up player of the game honours for fun, it’s hard to see her switching back.
‘‘The biggest difference between the two positions is the fact wing D is pretty much a chaser on the ground, grinding it out, whereas goal D has got a little bit more aerial play involved.
‘‘If you think about it positionally, wing D was more of a reaction kind of game for me and just going hunting all the time, whereas goal D, I’ve got a bit more time to sit back and have a look and try and find some ball.’’
While Burger has been thriving with netball, the Covid19 pandemic had made it tough off the court with her family back in South Africa.
She had not seen parents, mother Alma and father Gerrit Sr, in person since they visited New Zealand in 2019. It had been three years since she’d been back to her hometown of Vredendal, three hours drive from Cape Town, and seen sister Almarie and brother Gerrit.
Almarie had two young children, including a 1-year-old boy, whom Burger had yet to meet.
‘‘I’m hoping at some point in time very soon I can have the opportunity to go visit them, but I’m not trying to hold my breath because I don’t want to be disappointed.
‘‘I’m being a bit selfish at the moment and just focusing on me being able to play netball and be available here, which can probably get a bit sad sometimes, but my career is only for so long and I’m focusing on that. They completely understand that and they support me 100 per cent.’’
Burger’s family never missed her games, watching via Netball New Zealand’s overseas stream, and were justifiably proud of what she had achieved after moving to the other side of the world by herself as a teenager.
Her family were always in her thoughts, but she had no idea when she would see them again. She missed them on special days, and it was hard sometimes.
Burger and Watson’s defensive combination had been critical to the Tactix success this season.
No other defensive duo picked up the amount of turnover ball they did. Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said the pair had built a brilliant understanding and connection.
‘‘I think they’re quite different to most other ones because they’re not the tallest combination. It’s their movement and their quick switches and it’s so good to watch because it’s so athletic.’’
Burger’s week-to-week consistency had been a feature of her play, Delaney-Hoshek said. When the game was tight in the fourth quarter, she invariably delivered a crucial defensive gain.
A modest individual, Burger played down her outstanding season, stressing she was only as good as the work her midcourters and Watson did around her.
When they put pressure on the opposition feeders, it often enabled her to pounce and secure an intercept or deflection.
Talk of being the best player in the premiership this season made her squirm. She said that was for others to decide.
‘‘It’s quite nice knowing the hard work and all that effort is showing, but I think that’s just the nature of me. It’s a bit awkward getting all that praise.
‘‘I play netball because I enjoy it, rather than wanting to get the praise and stuff out of it. It’s just awesome to get that acknowledged.’’
‘‘I’m being a bit selfish at the moment and just focusing on me being able to play netball.’’ Karin Burger