Apr 22, 2008
At 196cm, Jamaican netball international Romelda Aiken casts a long shadow.
But veteran Queensland Firebirds shooter Jo Morgan is determined to step out of it because playing second fiddle doesn't quite agree with her.
Quite simply, she is used to dictating terms on a netball court and her imposing 190cm frame can still do just that.
But the arrival of Aiken at Queensland for the trans-Tasman netball championship has so far relegated Morgan to back-up shooter - and the former international admits she misses the limelight.
While happy that Aiken has been the hit of the ANZ championship to date, Morgan's competitive streak quickly surfaces when asked if she minds playing a support role to the 19-year-old at the competition co-leaders.
"Of course I mind it. That's the position that I have played for years and it's not a support role," a brutally honest Morgan said.
"I am working hard at training, doing everything I can to keep that pressure there (on Aiken)."
After not being used at all in the second round loss to the Vixens due to Aiken's 40 from 45 shooting, Morgan was finally unleashed in the Firebirds' 56-28 win over Wellington's Pulse in Brisbane last night.
But only after Aiken had shot 24 from 25 to set up a 31-15 halftime buffer.
Morgan kept Queensland's foot on the Kiwis' throat, shooting 18 from 25 as the Firebirds grabbed a second win of the season and a
share of the competition lead.
Morgan, 28, thought she had seen it all in her long career but Aiken's arrival has thrown down possibly her toughest challenge.
The towering Aiken has shot an incredible 96 from 107 in three games to date.
"I am the shortest one in that circle," Morgan laughed "Fifteen years in the game and I have been the tallest shooter out there and all of a sudden I'm like a midget.
"So it's something I will have to get used to. I'll have to blame my dad for the genes and get on a stretching rack or something.
"But she (Aiken) is a talent and very tall. She's going to be a tremendous asset to any team. She's still got a lot to go but that height is going to be an advantage."
Firebirds coach Vicki Wilson believed Queensland's shooting stocks should be the envy of the competition.
"I think it is important to have depth in our goal shooting. We also have Janelle Lawson and Tamsin Greenway - a lot of teams would be very envious of having shooters of that quality."
The Firebirds next play host to the Mystics at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday.
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