THE Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season has swung around once again with teams shaping up for an exciting year of netball. Having played through a global pandemic last season, the 2021 campaign will be hoping to restore a bit of normality to the netball world as the eight sides compete for that all-elusive premiership.

Coach: Simone McKinnis
Captain: Kate Moloney and Liz Watson
2020 finish: 1st

It was a stellar season for the Melbourne Vixens, with the club claiming not only the premiership but the title of minor premiers credit to their comprehensive performance across the campaign. But it was a bitter sweet end to the season with the Vixens farewelling veteran goaling duo Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip begging the question of who will fill the void out the front. Each and every player stepped up to the plate in 2020 as the side took advantage of the strong connections they had forged across the court.

2021 predictions/expectations:

The reigning premiers will be looking to go back-to-back but have been dealt a hefty blow with co-captain and spearhead Liz Watson out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery. Her absence will be heavily felt in the attacking third given the number of fresh faces with Kaylia Stanton making her Vixens debut and Ruby Barkmeyer earning a call-up to the main squad. The young attack line could spell danger for the Vixens with that wing attack position yet to be filled. It will be somewhat of a changing of the guard in attack but expect Mwai Kumwenda to provide that steady head under the post and absorb the pressure as the most experienced goaler in the squad. Up the other end the Vixens have remained the same with the powerhouse combination of Emily Mannix and Jo Weston likely to set the court alight again with their tenacity and ball-winning capabilities second to none. Throw in the likes of the ever-improving Kate Eddy who can play both wing defence and circle defence with great ease and Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney and the Vixens still boast an incredibly versatile and strong defensive core. The Vixens could find themselves a little bit lower down the ladder then they would like this season given the wholesale changes at the front-end but that does not mean one can rule them out given the calibre of talent they have and the influence of inspirational captain Kate Moloney through the centre.

Key player to watch:

Allie Smith burst onto the scene in the backend of the 2020 season and will be eager to build on that performance after earning a position on the full time roster. A tenacious defender renowned for her closing speed and read of the play, Smith is more than capable of locking down that wing defence position and utilising her drive through the midcourt to lend a hand in attack. She is not afraid to attack the contest and reads the play incredibly well to slot into the right position at the right time and with further exposure at SSN level this season could further hone her skills.

Team list:

Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Ruby Barkmeyer
Kate Eddy
Mwai Kumwenda
Emily Mannix
Kate Moloney
Allie Smith
Kaylia Stanton
Liz Watson **
Jo Weston

** replacement player yet to be named