For the past three years Tallent has been selected into State netball squads, but finally in 2010, she has cracked it to be included in the full NSW under 19 team.

And the 18-year-old is rightfully delighted.

“It’s fantastic to finally make the State team,” she said.

“After being in the squad for three years to finally make the final 12 is just great.”

The NSW 19s will contest the national championships in Adelaide in April.

“It will be great to pit myself against the best in the country,” she said.

“It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”

The selection process for the State team started with more than 60 players which was whittled down to 20 from which the final 12 was announced.

And when you consider all the thousands of girls around the State in this age group who play matches each and every weekend, to be selected in the best 12 in NSW is indeed a great honour.

“It was certainly pretty thrilling when my name was read out in the final team,” she said.

“After being so close and being in the squad for three years to finally make the team proper is fantastic.”

And she’s confident the NSW side will perform well at the nationals.

“It’s a good looking team,” she said.

“I have played with most of the girls at the NSWIS (NSW Institute of Sport).”

She became a NSWIS scholarship holder last year which she also says has been great for her game.

And as a goal shooter Tallent knows the pressure will be on.

“Simply, my job is to score goals,” she said.

And standing 185 centimetres tall she is well equipped for her role.

The youngster showed she certainly has the ability – playing for Sutherland in Division Two of State League last year she averaged a shooting percentage in the high 80s and 90s for the season.

“I was really happy with my shooting and hopefully I can continue like that in Adelaide,” she said.

And she is hoping that she may even make a further step up the representative ladder with an Australian team to be named from the championships.