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Opinion

2021 Super Netball preview

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Roar Guru
25th April, 2021
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The new season of Super Netball is less than a week away and it is shaping up as the closest one yet, with a number of teams clearly in the mix.

I will try and break it down for you, looking at the key storylines, the teams and most importantly where they will rank at the end of the season.

Back to normal home-and-away
COVID played havoc with an abridged season last year, with all teams based in Queensland. We are swinging back into a home-and-away season this year, with the NSW Swifts and GWS Giants set to christen their new home at Ken Rosewall Arena. It adds another layer of difficulty for the West Coast Fever, who will have the heaviest travel schedule in the competition.

Salary cap penalty
The Fever also have to deal with a 12-point salary cap penalty after breaches were found for 2018 and 2019. In a 14-game season at four points per win, the Fever will need to jump out of the blocks quickly if they are going to play finals this season.

Rule changes
Thankfully, there is not a lot to report here. The Super Shot remains and the quarter bonus point system is on the sidelines again. There will be five minutes of extra time added this year if teams are drawn at full time.

Liz Watson of the Vixens passes

(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Adelaide Thunderbirds
Understandably, the Thunderbirds are looking to turn around a poor run in Super Netball, but I don’t see how the delisting of Chelsea Pitman achieves that. Layla Guscoth has also headed back to the English Superleague, which leaves a hole at the defensive end. The Thunderbirds have banked on young talent but it won’t work this year.

Coach: Tania Obst

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In: Matilda Garrett (Collingwood), Georgie Horjus (elevated from training partner), Elle McDonald (Vixens), Latanya Wilson (Jamaica/English Superleague)

Out: Sasha Glasgow (Fever), Layla Guscoth (English Superleague), Chelsea Pitman (delisted), Kate Shimmin (Sunshine Coast)

Verdict: eighth

Collingwood Magpies
After an injury-plagued wooden spoon season last year, the return of Ash Brazill and Kelsey Browne gives the Magpies a stronger look this year. Key new signing Kalifa McCollin from Trinidad and Tobago gives Collingwood some depth in the attacking third. They will need to stay injury-free to contend for finals spots.

Coach: Nicole Richardson

In: Kalifa McCollin (Trinidad and Tobago/ANZ Premiership), Ash Brazill (injury), Jacqui Newton (Vixens)

Out: Rob Wright (coach, released), Madi Browne (English Superleague), Matilda Garrett (Thunderbirds), Kelly Altmann (delisted)

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Verdict: seventh

Giants Netball
The Giants were hampered last season by the sidelining of Caitlin Bassett and the media scrutiny that came with it. April Brandley returns to a team already sprinkled with international representatives, Jo Harten, Keira Austin and Jamie-Lee Price amongst them. With some clear air this year, the Giants will be a big improver.

Sam Poolman

(Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Coach: Julie Fitzgerald

In: Sophie Dwyer (elevated from training partner), April Brandley (training partner)

Out: Caitlin Bassett (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, ANZ Premiership), Teigan O’Shannassy (Swifts)

Verdict: second

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Melbourne Vixens
The defending champions have a big job on their hands this year after the retirements of Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites. Kaylia Stanton from the Fever will fill one of the shooting roles. However, to make matters worse, Liz Watson is out for the season with a foot injury and she is the heart and soul of this Melbourne outfit. Without her, the Vixens will struggle.

Coach: Simone McKinnis

In: Kaylia Stanton (Fever), Allie Smith (elevated from training partner), Ruby Barkmeyer (training partner)

Out: Liz Watson (injury), Caitlin Thwaites (retired), Tegan Philip (retired), Elle McDonald (Thunderbirds)

Verdict: sixth

NSW Swifts
The Swifts have been regular contenders in recent years and this season will be no different. They have the most stable roster in the competition so will start the season in top gear. With Helen Housby, Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau heading a star-studded line-up, premiership success awaits this team.

Helen Housby

(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Coach: Briony Akle

In: Tayla Fraser (elevated from training partner)

Out: Sophie Craig (delisted)

Verdict: first

Queensland Firebirds
The Firebirds were the big improvers in 2020 and should be playing finals again this year with the return from maternity leave of Gretel Bueta and the signing of Kim Ravaillion. Bueta and Romelda Aiken form the most formidable attacking duo in the competition and will take the Firebirds to a semi-final spot.

Coach: Megan Anderson

In: Kim Ravaillion (Magpies/maternity leave), Gretel Bueta (maternity leave)

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Out: Roselee Jencke (coach, released), Mahalia Cassidy (Lightning).

Verdict: third

Sunshine Coast Lightning
The Lightning’s track record of success will follow again this year but it won’t be enough to carry them to their third title. Laura Langman’s retirement robs the Lightning of one of the best midcourters ever. They still boast a strong line-up but it won’t quite be enough this season.

Laura Scherain

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Coach: Kylee Byrne

In: Mahalia Cassidy (Firebirds), Kate Shimmin (Thunderbirds), Maddie Hinchliffe

Out: Laura Langman (retired), Jacqui Russell (retired), Ashlee Unie (injury), Annika Lee-Jones

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Verdict: fourth

West Coast Fever
The big question for the Fever is whether they can make up a 12-point gap to squeeze into the top four. As runners up in 2020, they certainly have the team to make inroads with Jhaniele Fowler often unstoppable in the circle. However, with a number of other classy line-ups, they may fall agonisingly short.

Coach: Stacey Marinkovich

Ins: Sunday Aryang (elevated from training partner), Emma Cosh (training partner), Sasha Glasgow (Thunderbirds)

Outs: Kaylia Stanton (Vixens), Ingrid Colyer (injury)

Verdict: fifth

So it’s an all-NSW final with the Swifts taking it out. Whoever does take it out will have won the premier netball competition in the world.

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With Channel Nine coverage of two games per week this season, netball will continue to make its mark on Australia’s sporting landscape. Bring it on!

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