AFTER an extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season is set to commence on August 1. Draft Central takes a look at each team, with West Coast Fever finishing off our preseason previews.

Coach: Stacey Marinkovich
Captain: Courtney Bruce
2019 finish: 6th

2019 was a disappointing year for the Fever, coming off a stellar 2018 season but ultimately falling flat last year with missed connections and opportunities to blame for their sixth-place finish. The Fever racked up three draws for the season and while Jhaniele Fowler held down the fort well at the post, the missing link in attack was the loss of Nat Medhurst with the goal attack renowned for her impressive feeds and ability to go to post. With patches of injury seeing Courtney Bruce on the sideline, the side could not quite fill that hole and lacked a lot of consistency. That being said, injury gave opportunities for the Fever’s bench depth to have time on court, further developing the likes of Shannon Eagland and Olivia Lewis who certainly benefited from the time and aided the team’s growth by season end.

2020 predictions/expectations:

There is really nowhere to go but up for the Fever after a less than successful 2019 campaign, making for a fresh start and plenty of opportunity to go one better than last year. While extended time off could be seen as a pressure point, the Fever could really benefit from the extended preseason, working through connections. One of the teams that could really benefit off the two goal super shot with Fowler under the post and coming so close to a couple of extra wins last season, the Fever will hope to shake off the disappointing 2019 season and start fresh this season. Despite a quieter season last year, explosive young midcourter Jess Anstiss will hope to explode out of the block while Stacey Francis returns from a recent stint with the England Roses, meaning the defence will look to have more impact off the ball rather than relying for the most part on Bruce and Francis’ physicality. With Bruce back in peak form, the attack will be hoping to tighten up with the likes of Kaylia Stanton and Alice Teague-Neeld needing to have a bit more impact during their time on court to really be that successful team from 2018 once more.

Key player to watch:

This is Stanton’s season to really prove herself at Super Netball level, with the goal shooter turn attack forced to hone her craft as one of two goal attacks to aid Fowler in attack. While Teague-Neeld plays more of a feeding role in the circle, Stanton is a tried and tested long bomb specialist when she has her eye in, with her height allowing her to play both a holding role if need be or use her quick feet to create a moving circle. Although she is not the most consistent player, she has not yet necessarily had a chance to prove herself across a full four quarters, making the 26-year-old goaler somewhat of an unknown quantity heading into a fresh season and with potential to really assert herself with the two goal super shot.

Team list:

Jess Anstiss
Courtney Bruce
Verity Charles
Ingrid Colyer
Shannon Eagland
Jhaniele Fowler
Stacey Francis
Olivia Lewis
Kaylia Stanton
Alice Teague-Neeld