IT was an unprecedented season as the ANZ Premiership came to a halt after Round 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but later returned in June to round out the remainder of the season, bar Round 10. The season saw plenty of intriguing battles as teams plied their trade across the court in hope to work their way up the ladder. Draft Central takes a look back at the year that was, with the Southern Steel the next club in focus.

Win-loss: 4-10
Ladder position: 5th
Captain: Gina Crampton and Te Huinga Selby-Rickit

Overall season review:

Unfortunately the Southern Steel could not live up to the standards of last season, finishing in fifth position after making it to the finals in 2019. Riddled with injuries throughout the season the Southern Steel formed a strong backend to the season winning three games from Round 6 onwards. While it took a while for the Steel to get over the loss of goal shooter Jennifer O’Connell and youngster Georgia Heffernan the recruitment of retired Silver Ferns goaler, Ellen Halpenny worked wonders as the goal shooter made an immediate impact under the post. Halpenny provided a calming presence in attack and linked up well with dynamic midcourt duo Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders to find space under the post. Crampton and Saunders were solid contributors throughout the season for the Steel with Crampton showcasing her deft touch and precise ball placement to deliver ball on a silver platter to the shooters while Saunders highlighted her skill to switch between offence and defence in a blink of an eye.

Star player:

With players going down around her it was hard to go past the efforts of Trinidad and Tobago import, Kalifa McCollin who starred in her first season. McCollin proved to be a real playmaker not only in the goal circle but so too in the attacking third with her quick give and go and unique flair. The goal attack was incredibly accurate throughout the season and was not afraid to take the hard drive along the baseline to draw the attention of defenders. She showcased her versatility to swing between goal shooter and goal attack, with the latter her more comfortable position able to run amok out the front and then glide into the circle. McCollin was often the player that stepped up to the plate in attack to keep the defenders guessing and use her fancy footwork to dance around her opponents to create attacking forays.

Surprise packet:

Young wing defence Kate Heffernan impressed throughout the 2020 season, plying her trade out the front and showcasing her quick footwork to consistently get hands to ball. Heffernan was often the unsung hero down back for the Steel while her drive through the midcourt was another key element in her game play, able to punch through the oppositions defence time and time again. She did a wealth of work off the ball to apply hands over pressure while her ability to shut down players with her shadowing movement impressed throughout the season. Heffernan steadily grew with confidence as the year went on, backing herself at the contest and combining with Te Huinga Selby-Rickit and Taneisha Fifita to impose their physical brand of netball.

Picture credit: Michael Bradley