ALTHOUGH the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season is over, there is still plenty of analysis to be done. The final area in focus is the defensive third which will be broken down into goal defence and goal keeper. Draft Central will assess the number of deflections, intercepts and rebounds to highlight the main defensive indicators.

GOAL DEFENCE:

It was another strong season for stalwart Karla Pretorius, as the Sunshine Coast Lightning goal defence racked up an impressive 43 intercepts to lead the tally in her position. Her go-go gadget arms and general explosiveness enabled her to cleanly attack contests and win ball. Pretorius also managed 70 deflections highlighting her ability to get a hand in and be a menace down back while also picking up 21 rebounds. In her first SSN season, Jodi-Ann Ward also proved to be a ball magnet for the Pies picking up the second most intercepts behind Pretorius with 29 while also collecting 48 deflections and 16 rebounds credit to her speed off the mark. Kim Jenner well and truly took the competition by storm this season with her ability to come out and fire blowing opposition stars away. Her closing speed and improved cleanliness allowed her to have a profound impact for the Firebirds registering 24 intercepts the third most of any goal defence along with 74 deflections and 13 rebounds showcasing her all-round star power. The ever-reliable Jo Weston plied her trade for the Melbourne Vixens with her dogged style of defence seeing her walk away with 18 intercepts, 52 deflections and 10 rebounds but it was her ability to stand up when her side needed her that really counted.

The bib often rotated between Layla Guscoth and Kate Shimmin for the Thunderbirds throughout the 2020 season with the former renowned for her grunt work amassing 36 deflections while the latter oozes a bit more flair but limited court time registering five intercepts and 14 deflections. Speaking of rotating bibs, Lauren Moore and Maddy Turner often shared the role for the Swifts. Out injured at the start of the year, Turner took a while to find her groove but once she did she made no mistake with seven intercepts and 35 deflections, while Moore also starred in her debut season clinching 17 intercepts and 28 deflections. The Fever were also not afraid to throw the bibs around with Stacey Francis the prominent goal defence and registered 14 intercepts, 38 deflections and 11 rebounds for her efforts as youngster Sunday Aryang proved to be a real impact player with her injection of speed producing 11 intercepts and 28 deflections across her 14 aappearances. Kristiana Manu’a had a solid season for the GIANTS using her nippy footwork to rip the ball out of mid-air and collect 13 intercepts and 30 deflections and despite limited minutes April Brandley proved impactful with her three intercepts and 13 deflections.

GOAL KEEPER:

A general down back, Geva Mentor proved that age is just a number steering the ship for Collingwood and subsequently leading the competition with 108 deflections to her name. Mentor’s overall court coverage, long arms and fancy footwork consistently enabled her to create timely tips to regain possession for the Pies. She was down on her intercept tally with 27 and recorded 25 rebounds for the year. Jamaican sensation and Thunderbirds excitement machine, Shamera Sterling was as dominant as ever recording 104 deflections mainly due to her aerial prowess but also registered an impressive 37 intercepts and 37 rebounds. In terms of intercepts for goal keepers, West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce led the charge despite missing a couple of games due to injury, finishing with a competition-high 44 intercepts. Her tenacity was on constant display, out hunting and using her nimble footwork to dance around her opponent and collect countless deflections to walk away with 101 to her name and 36 deflections.

Premiership-winning goal keeper Emily Mannix was another force to be reckoned with down back given her lean over the shot and constant hands over pressure amassing 32 intercepts. Although she did not register a wealth of deflections with 58 in comparison to others it was her overall consistency that was paramount also reeling in 14 rebounds. Sarah Klau was highly influential for the Swifts able to swat balls away to produce an impressive 97 deflections while also attaining 28 intercepts and 19 rebounds. It was a real breakout season for Phumza Maweni who seemed to unlock another level of excitement for the Lightning as her rebounding ability came to the fore registering 22. Her sticky hands were also hard to deny finishing the season with 24 intercepts and 88 deflections. GIANTS goal keeper Sam Poolman plied her trade down back registering 20 intercepts, 42 deflections and 24 rebounds from her 14 games. 22-year-old Tara Hinchliffe elevated her game in 2020 and was a key reason for the Firebirds’ improvement, walking away with 18 intercepts, 50 deflections and 25 rebounds highlighting her ability to impose herself on the contest and reclaim possession for Queensland.