It was a haunting moment for Liz Ellis as she witnessed Australian Diamonds defender Sunday Aryang sustain the very same injury that had sidelined her two decades earlier to the day.
What makes it even more eerie is the timing—both players suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries mere months before a significant tournament, namely the Commonwealth Games.
The pressure to recover in time for netball’s premier event may prove daunting for Aryang, and her visible suffering has left an emotional mark on her teammates.
Aryang’s intercept in the circle marked the conclusion of a thrilling Constellation Cup match, during which the first-ever period of extra-time was played to determine the series winner.
After the Silver Ferns claimed victory in the fourth Test, tying the series 2-2, a 14-minute extra-time period commenced following the regular match.
Both teams took a 12-minute break before returning to the court for two halves of seven minutes each in extra time, with several changes made to the line-ups.
Eventually, Australia played down the clock in the goal third during the last minute before passing the ball to Sophie Garbin, who scored the decisive goal.
Just moments later, Aryang collapsed with an ACL injury.
Sunday Aryang is injured. Getty
While the game concluded in a disappointing fashion, it had initially showcased a riveting 14 minutes of action. Diamonds captain Liz Watson described the unusual extra-time format as “a bit strange” and “confusing.”
“Playing that extra 14 minutes felt quite odd, to be honest,” Watson expressed after the match.
“It was an unusual way to claim victory. It felt like starting a new match with both teams reset to zero. The gameplay felt disjointed; you could see many players were cramping; it wasn’t pretty to watch. Not ideal for any player.”
Watson wasn’t the only one feeling puzzled, as the umpires didn’t officially call time on the match until Aryang went down.
This ambiguity has sparked discussions about the potential necessity for a fifth Test in the series—an idea that Ellis supports, believing it could be advantageous.
“It would be ideal to have a fifth match,” Ellis, chair of Netball Australia, told Wide World of Sports. “This is something we are looking into, considering various factors to make it happen.”
“That extra time posed challenges for the players, and while it’s tough to execute, I genuinely believe that all players would agree that these are the moments they train for. It’s invaluable learning for them, especially outside of the pressure of a Commonwealth Games or World Cup final.”
“While I appreciate having a conclusive result, we must also acknowledge the physical ramifications, especially highlighted by Sunday’s injury.”
Australian players comfort Grace Nweke of New Zealand after Sunday Aryang’s injury. Getty
Medics and physios swiftly rushed in to assist Aryang before escorting her off the court and into a wheelchair, casting a shadow over the post-match celebrations after the Diamonds had retained the Constellation Cup in a dramatic finale.
In that moment, Ellis found her own troubling memories surfacing.
“I completely empathise with what she is experiencing,” she reflected. “I missed the Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury I sustained in New Zealand.”
Ellis was also representing Australia in a Test against the Silver Ferns when she was injured, and like Aryang, had the scoreboard in her team’s favour.
The former Australian captain was contesting for the ball with Irene Van Dyk when her foot slipped, causing her to land awkwardly near the advertising boards.
“When I saw Sunday go down, I thought, ‘Oh goodness, this is eerily similar,'” Ellis described.
Irene Van Dyk of New Zealand shoots for goal as Australia’s Liz Ellis defends. Getty
You could almost instantly see the impact on the players after the injury; her absence will be significant given her contribution to the Diamonds during the Constellation Cup.
“I’m reassured by the support systems we have in place, both for her and at her club, the West Coast Fever,” Ellis commented.
“I have no doubt that [Diamonds coach] Stacey Marinkovich is already strategising the way forward.”
If Aryang’s recovery doesn’t allow her to participate in the Commonwealth Games scheduled for July, her next opportunity for a significant tournament may come at the 2027 Netball World Cup.
In the meantime, coach Marinkovich has a wealth of options to consider for defensive positions, including Matilda Garrett and Jo Weston.
“These situations provide opportunities for other players to step up,” Ellis noted. “We have an abundance of talented defenders, and it’s unfortunate to lose Sunday. I genuinely feel for her.”
“Yet, I’m excited for the challenge Stacey faces in selecting the final squad because navigating through that depth is a great challenge to have.”
Australia and New Zealand huddle following game four in the Constellation Cup series. Getty
While the Diamonds won’t face the Silver Ferns again until the Commonwealth Games, the team will continue to grow from the lessons learned during the series.
Ellis expressed pride in the Diamonds’ return to form, especially considering they entered the final Test with a daunting ten-game losing streak in New Zealand.
“What we witnessed was a Diamonds team resolutely determined to avoid defeat,” she praised.
“I was so impressed by their resilience, especially at the end of a series where they were visibly fatigued. We truly saw the best of our athletes as the match concluded.”
“When you’re on the outside, it’s easy to talk about curses, but internally, that’s not at the forefront of your mind. Playing in New Zealand is undoubtedly tough; I learned the hard way that any New Zealand player donning that black dress becomes a formidable presence on the court.”
“Every time our team competes there, they depart with fresh insights and a deeper understanding.”
“In their minds, curses do not exist; they move forward towards greater accomplishments.”
Compiled by SportArena.au.
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