Sometimes there is a beautiful symmetry to sporting milestones. For Sarah Klau, who will play her 100th National League game in Adelaide on Saturday night, it marks a journey that has come full circle.
The double-champion defender – who’s plied her trade at the Swifts since 2017 - may now be a rusted-on Sydney-sider with over 90 NSW games under belt, but it was on the South Australian netball courts where she initially fell in love with the game.
In fact, this weekend’s Round 2 opponents – the Adelaide Thunderbirds – were the team she made her elite debut for.
Klau played eight games for the Thunderbirds in the final year of the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship before the advent of Suncorp Super Netball, when she traded one Foundation Club for another and made the move north to the Swifts.
“I always feel it is a privilege to have been able to play for two of the National League’s founding Clubs, who have a massive shared history of rivalry and respect,” Klau said when asked about her milestone.
“It’s worked out well that my family and friends will be able to attend on Saturday because they have played such a huge role in my journey so far. Each game is a huge challenge and the Thunderbirds are in a hot run of form, so these are games you look forward to.”
If, as expected, Klau takes the court on Saturday it will mark game 92 for Swifts. Should she remain injury-free, she’ll likely join Liz Ellis as the second Swifts goal-keeper to become a multiple Premiership-winning Centurion of the seven-time Premiers at the Club’s annual Heritage Game in Round 10.
However, that’s down the line. For this week, Klau just wants to focus on what lies ahead when the Swifts travel to South Australia after a disappointing Round 1 hit-out against the Magpies in Melbourne.
“The milestone is special but the result is more important,” the Diamonds defender added.
“We have gone to Adelaide in the past and struggled to get a result. I remember they taught us a lesson there in 2021 and we were lucky to escape with a win in Round 4 last year.
“You need to be able to perform in a heated environment, away from home, and this is a big test for us. We know how we played on Saturday is not the real Swifts and now the onus is on us to demonstrate that.
“The Thunderbirds always have a passionate crowd that are very close to the court, and they have an attack and midcourt to match a defence which is hugely respected.
“It might be game 100 for me, but it’s game 401 for the Swifts and the collective is always more important.”
Swifts head coach Briony Akle said Klau should be exceptionally proud of everything she’s achieved in the first 100 games of her elite career.
“Sarah made the decision to leave home as a rookie netballer and has really come of age with us at the Swifts,” Akle said.
“She has been the backbone of our title successes, and having that kind of security in defence where you know she’ll provide you with bonus possession is invaluable.
“It’s easy to forget that she’s still only 28 and already has two Premierships, a Commonwealth Gold Medal and, fingers crossed, will be hunting for a World Cup title later this year.
“There is still so much more to come from her.”
The Swifts take on the Thunderbirds at Netball SA Stadium on Saturday 25 March at 7pm (AEDT). The game will be broadcast live on Foxtel (via Fox Sports) and Kayo Sports.
NSW's first home game of the year will be in Round 3 against the Firebirds on Saturday 1 April. (GET TICKETS)
