Kinloch's premier comeback's final test | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Marie Kinloch returned to netball this year with the hope of playing premier netball with her Marton team.

But that hope looked to have gone when Marton failed to make the top grade in the qualifying tournament.

But a couple of days later her phone went at home, and Kaierau coach Annette Pearce offered her a spot in her squad.

On Monday night that tale takes the ultimate step when Kinloch lines up in the Kaierau side which defends its Wanganui premier title against many-times winner Marist.

It's a situation Kinloch takes pleasure in, while at the same time being sad that Marton did not make the grade.

"Marton didn't make it, and Kaierau gave me a ring the Tuesday after and asked me if I wanted to play - and I still wanted to play premier netball."

Ten years ago she played premier netball in Palmerston North for Halcombe.

Since then she's been looking after her two children Harmony (7) and Katarina (10), working - and doing several other sporting things.

In the season Kinloch has forged, with aggressive goal keep Kristin Ashworth, probably close to the most effective defensive unit in the competition.

"It didn't take long to work. I've never been a person to take long to mix with someone - it's just getting to know how they work."

Kinloch left the court last Monday early in the piece - she had just come off a body-building competition and was "just trying to get back into it again".

But there are no injury worries.

Nonetheless Kinloch laughs when she's asked if she's starting the final.

"With Annette Pearce I'm not too sure - we never know who's starting. It's a bit of a mystery - but when we go on we try our best."

She's probably got little to worry about, after the shellacking she and Ashworth gave Marist's top attack pairing of Lisa Murphy and Tasaha Bullock last time the teams met (Kaierau surprised by 10 goals).

So, with a young family, and netball, you'd think Kinloch would be busy.

No, she's also youth hockey co-ordinator for the Rangitikei district, she's team manager for the Marton Rugby Club's premier team - and in the summer she indulges in a lot of multi-sports, so there's a lot of distance running through winter to prepare.

"I started doing half-ironman three years ago, I've done Taupo, Rotorua and Auckland."

So she's a fit netball player.

And how will Kaierau go?

"It depends on the night. I can say that while our team may have had some good games, that we've never yet done anything twice."