Chokljat stepped out for the ACU Sovereigns’ division one side in its Victorian Netball League encounter with Southern Saints.

The 35-year-old played a quarter in goal defence during the team’s 53-33 defeat at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, but said it was just a “small cameo” and there were no plans for a permanent return to the court.

Chokljat played 25 tests for Australia, which included a world championships silver medal during a glittering career at the top level, and signed on as a non-playing coach with the Sovereigns this season.

Her appearance was due to a shortage in playing numbers.

Championship assistant coach McMahon said Netball Victoria had to be notified 48 hours before any new players were able to be brought into the squad.

“(Kim Bailey’s) side is severely depleted and it was just a situation where Natasha has actually registered as a back-up earlier in the season and we were able to utilise that registration,” McMahon said.

The Sovereigns were handed another heavy defeat in Wednesday night’s championship clash against the Saints, going down 63-33.

McMahon said the Sovereigns had costly fadeouts in the second and fourth quarters, which proved telling in the end result.

McMahon said the biggest hurdle for coaching staff to combat was belief within some players and felt that the squad was hanging out for the week’s break following next Wednesday’s clash with Melbourne University Lightning.

Meanwhile, the Sovereigns 19/unders played out a tie with the Saints to leave the team seventh on the ladder.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Southern Saints 16 29 46 63

Sovereigns 8 16 26 33

Ballarat shooting: Cynna Kydd (20 goals at 69 per cent), Laura McDonald (seven goals at 70 per cent), Jordyn Bibby (six goals at 55 per cent).

DIVISION ONE

Southern Saints 13 29 40 53

Sovereigns 5 14 21 33

Ballarat shooting: Amy Starzer (15 goals at 72 per cent), Jess Parry (10 goals at 53 per cent), Hayley Fidler (eight goals at 48 per cent)

19/UNDER

Southern Saints 10 23 30 39

Sovereigns 13 21 31 39

Ballarat shooting: Abbey Ryan (24 goals at 83 per cent), Sacha McDonald (15 goals at 75 per cent).

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au