WITH the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season done and dusted Draft Central takes a look back at the year that was for each team, where they went wrong, improvements and hopes for the 2021 season. It has been an unconventional season to say the least with a condensed season, rolling subs, introduction of the super shot, extended benches and of course the Queensland hub making for an action packed year of netball. Premiers, Melbourne Vixens are the final cab off the rank sitting pretty at top of the ladder for 13 rounds in what was a dominant season.

Ladder: 1st
Win-loss: 11-1-2
Percentage: 113.13%

Overview:

It was pretty much a perfect year for the Melbourne Vixens despite being on the road for 90 days, the longest of any other club in the competition due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Their on-court connections were second to none, able to slice through opposition units while their increased versatility gave them a multitude of options when things did not go to plan, signs of a quality team. Spending majority of the season at the top of the ladder and only dropping two games the Vixens kicked it up a gear in finals to break their six-year premiership drought, and fittingly send-off retiring stars Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip.

Thwaites seemed re-invigorated out in her non-preferred position of goal attack, covering the court with great ease and most importantly not letting her accuracy waiver while Philip injected that burst of speed and dynamism inside the circle. Malawian goal shooter, Mwai Kumwenda was a menace each time she stepped out on court boasting a wealth of tricks in the air and under the post to keep the scoreboard ticking over at a high and accurate rate. Through the midcourt the service of Liz Watson and Kate Moloney was unquestionable with the duo constantly combining to hit circle edge and deliver the ball on a silver platter to the goalers.

A couple of newbies in Tayla Honey and Elle McDonald also got a chance to star and showcase what they are capable of doing through the midcourt with their silky movement and vision into the circle. Up the other end the defensive efforts of Jo Weston and Emily Mannix were hard to go past. Weston did not leave any stone unturned, hustling hard for every ball and working in overdrive to shut down the space or pick up intercepts here, there and everywhere while also demonstrating her adaptability to move between circle and wing defence. Partner in crime, Mannix also presented a strong front throughout the season, putting up a wall in defence and using her clever footwork to constantly reposition around her opponent and reclaim possession.

Shining light:

There was no shortage of positives coming out of the Vixens camp in the 2020 season, however it is hard to go past 20-year-old Allie Smith who dominated. In her debut game, Smith made her presence felt in wing defence through her three-foot marking and general court coverage. While not necessarily a tight one-on-one defender it was her work off the ball that stood head and shoulders above the rest coming up with intercepts aplenty while her transitional work was second to none. Smith consistently provided that drive through the centre and opened up the court with her impressive vision and spatial awareness. Her closing speed was another key attribute that came to the fore as was her dare to release the ball from the centre third into the goal shooter standing under the post.

Best off-season pickup:

With only one major change in their armour in 2020, the acquisition of Kate Eddy could not have gone any better for the Vixens. The versatility of Eddy worked wonders with the defender able to effectively ply her trade in wing defence or inside the goal circle thanks to her high netball IQ. A real workhorse in either position the long arms of Eddy were crucial in the Vixens dominance constantly forcing turnovers and blocking the vision of her opponents to regain possession. Hindered with injury in the latter stage of the season, Eddy’s resilience and desperation to leave nothing to chance was impressive, throwing her body on the line time and time again for the Vixens. Her transitional play was also another highlight for the emerging defender able to constantly provide an option for the Vixens.