Powerful and athletic Auckland defender Lorna Suafoa made her debut for the Silver Ferns at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, in a milestone event for Netball.

With Netball appearing on the Commonwealth Games programme officially for the first time in 1998, Suafoa became one of a select few in making her debut in such special circumstances.

Tall and rangy, Suafoa could cover both in-circle defensive roles but featured more prominently from goal keeper.

Long limbed with a disruptive reach over the shot, Suafoa was light and quick on her feet, excelling with her rebounding ability and instinct for the intercept. With her strong ball skills, Suafoa was also a fine attacking player.