Who is SA netball's best of the best?

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Celebrating the history of netball in SA

Michelle den Dekker looks back at her time playing netball in South Australia.

Diamonds and Thunderbirds captain Natalie von Bertouch  - a legend but is she our best of all time. Picture: Simon Cross Source: AdelaideNow

There have been a swag of champions wear the Thunderbirds uniform in the 11 years of the national league and four seasons of ANZ Championship action, while some of the world's best fronted for the Ravens before they were cut from the national league in 2002.

But who is the best of them all?

Is it inaugural Thunderbirds captain Kathryn Harby-Williams, champion defender Michelle den Dekker, former star goal shooter Jenny Borlase, present national captain Nat Von Bertouch or former inspirational centre Bec Sanders?

Comparing the game's elite is always fraught with danger but The Advertiser and AdelaideNow are giving readers an opportunity to select the best player to have played for the Thunderbirds or Ravens.

To make your selection, simply vote in the poll on this page.

There is also the opportunity to vote on the best team with three players who have taken the court for the Thunderbirds or Ravens nominated for the each of the seven positions.

That is another challenging task given the deep well of talent.

Consider the goal defence spot and a judgment is needed between Harby-Williams, den Dekker and Mo'onia Gerrard.

Two of the five players in contention for the individual honour - von Bertouch and Sanders - are also vying for the centre position.

The greatest player and team will be revealed on September 8, two days before Netball SA's 120-year party.

In the lead-up to the gala night, The Advertiser will have some of the biggest names in South Australian netball history on video on AdelaideNow.

Among those will be von Bertouch, who climbed another lofty rung in her prolific career when she captained the Diamonds to world championship glory in Singapore last month. She is also the only player to be named The Advertiser Player of the Year five times.

But how does the tireless midcourter stack up against Harby-Williams? The inaugural Thunderbirds captain is a legend of the sport.

Den Dekker twice captained Australia to world championship glory. Then there is Sanders, a rare talent who played a key role in the Thunderbirds claiming back-to-back national league titles.

And Borlase, who has her name on The Advertiser trophy a remarkable four times.

They are the best of the best and it's as easy as going to AdelaideNow and clicking on your choice.

 SELECT YOUR GREATEST SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NETBALL TEAM.