In the same week Rafael Nadal’s 19th grand slam victory advanced his claims to tennis’ pinnacle, netball’s greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) debate might yield a definitive answer.
While the nature of team sport makes it difficult to bestow individual greatness, Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Laura Langman must be in the conversation regardless of Sunday’s Suncorp Super Netball grand final result.
Her achievements rank alongside those of netball giants Irene van Dyk, and Liz Ellis who achieved the gold standard for New Zealand and Australia in the 90s and noughties.
Further back, Carissa Tombs, Anna Stanley, Sandra Edge and Vicki Wilson deserve to be in the mix.
Langman can look them all in the eye and, according to many, might be the G.O.A.T.
“She’s definitely in the conversation,” former Australia captain Kim Green said.
“It’s a difficult one for me to grasp, but in my time she was by far the most skilful.”
Green would know. The recently retired Giant played against Langman at multiple World Cups, Commonwealth Games and trans-Tasman series.
They were direct rivals at domestic level and teammates at the NSW Swifts in 2016.
There was a time when Langman’s creativity around the circle edge had limitations, but not now according to Green, who argues the 33-year-old is now the complete player.
“Five or six years ago the question was her attacking game but she’s been able to adapt. She’s crushing it now in attack and defence,” Green said.
“She was never dirty. She’d be able to push you into places you didn’t want to be but she’d never end up out of play.
“She’s able to build pressure without getting caught on the body.”
Langman’s career resume has it all.
After making her international debut 14 years ago, she has played more than 160 Tests, winning two Commonwealth (2006, 2010) titles and this year’s World Cup.
The champion midcourter won multiple domestic championships in New Zealand before adding premierships with Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (2012) and the Lightning (2017).
Lightning coach Noeline Taurua has mentored some elite players but none were better than Langman.
Her greatest asset, according to Taurua, is to deliver her best when it matters most.
“That’s the Langman style,” the coach said after the Lightning’s major semi-final win.
“When we’re either down or we’re heading into grand finals or semi-finals, that’s when she shines.”
Former Australian coach Jill McIntosh worked with some of the greats, including Ellis, Sharelle McMahon and Shelly O’Donnell.
She couldn’t single out just one, but placed Langman near the very top.
“She’d be one of the all-time great midcourters,” McIntosh said.
“Laura is equally good in attack and defence and that’s hard to do.”
Perhaps the best measure of Langman’s skills is the performance of those around her.
“I didn’t appreciate how much work she did til after I played with her,” Green said.
“She plays for those around her. You can see that with Laura Scherian. She knows the strengths of those around her and allows them to flourish.”
