Age no barrier

UNLIKE many women about to reach the milestone, Sharks defender Lauren Hellmuth has no hang-ups about turning 50 next year.

It is not a dirty secret she is 49 and why would she make it one considering this year she has more than matched it with opponents literally half her age on the netball court.

Hellmuth will proudly be the oldest player in action during tonight’s Cairns Netball Association grand final between Sharks and Leprechauns 2 at Martyn St Reserve.

She was elevated from A Reserve into the senior line-up as a permanent replacement earlier this year when her daughter and Sharks’ regular defender, Tanya, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Hellmuth admitted she was surprised at how well she had coped in A grade, given the physical demands of the competition.

"It’s a notch up (from A reserve), that’s for sure," she said.

"You don’t realise it until you get on the court. There’s a lot more intensity and it’s a lot harder on your body. But I’m really enjoying it. I find myself learning all the time.

"Playing with Sharks is a wonderful experience. All the girls have been very welcoming and we have a great team spirit."

Sharks will need a syringe-sized dose of self-belief to be successful tonight after losing their past two clashes against Leprechauns 2.

Their most recent defeat was by four goals a fortnight ago in the second semi-final but Hellmuth reckons that will count for little tonight. Sharks won through to the season decider by beating Leprechauns 1 28-22 last week and Hellmuth said that was the result she and her teammates would concentrate on.

"We took a lot of confidence from that game. It was really tough," she said.

"In a strange way I actually think losing to them (Leprechauns 2) the other week was the best thing that could’ve happened.

"It really made us take a step back and say ‘hey’. Now I think we are ready to pull it out on Wednesday."

No matter the result of tonight’s final, Hellmuth said she was not considering retirement.