A prominent Auckland netballer who had been on the scene for a number of years, shooter Mary Sullivan was a more than handy asset in the 1948 Silver Ferns team.

Standing over six-foot tall, a rarity for the day, Sullivan was the equal tallest in the 1948 team, going on to play in two of the three Test Series after making her debut in the opener in Dunedin.

Generally towering over her opponents, Sullivan’s height made up for a lack of accuracy under the hoop. A key target for her attackers, Sullivan was expert at gathering the ball over the top of her markers and off-loading to a more reliable shooting partner stationed in close proximity to the goal post.