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: Briony Akle
Captain: Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley
2020 finish: 4^th

The NSW Swifts just snuck inside the top four in season 2020 but bowed out in the elimination final in their quest for back-to-back premierships. It was somewhat of a disappointing season for the Swifts who failed to live up to the hype off the back of their premiership winning season. In saying that, they still displayed great passages of play across the court as a number of young up and coming players plied their trade and made a name for themselves as serious competitors with the likes of Lauren Moore down in defence.

2021 predictions/expectations:

The Swifts will be hoping to bounce back and put their best foot forward this season to create some real continuity across the court. Retaining majority of their list this season, the Swifts have a great foundation with the partnership between defenders Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner continuing to evolve while the injection of Moore into the backend is exciting. The trio are more than capable of winning their fair share of ball, as is the highly versatile midcourt led by co-captains Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley. The duo are incredibly flexible with Hadley able to push into that wing defence position when needed credit to her read of the play and defensive mindset. England Roses midcourter Nat Haythornthwaite is crafty with ball in hand, able to slice through opposition defences and will need to bring that level of class and intensity for the Swifts to fully recapture their dominance. The addition of Tayla Fraser this season will add another string to the Swifts’ bow given her speed, instinct and capacity to play both attack and defence. Speaking of attack the goal circle combination between Helen Housby and Sam Wallace is another key feature of the Swifts outfit with Housby able to do damage from long range and Wallace a menace in the air.

Key player to watch:

After earning a gig in the Diamonds squad for the Constellation Cup, goaler Sophie Garbin will be hoping to further develop her repertoire and retain her position in the Australian team. She showcased her sheer strength and accuracy to post throughout last season, coming on against the Fever and absolutely dominating – a feat she will be more than hoping to replicate. Doing some of her best damage under the post in goal shooter, increased time out in goal attack will only add to Garbin’s skillset and make her more damaging going forward. Her ability to drive along the baseline and draw the attention of the defence is second to none as is her spatial awareness and aerial capabilities.

Team list:

Tayla Fraser
Sophie Garbin
Paige Hadley
Nat Haythornthwaite
Helen Housby
Sarah Klau
Lauren Moore
Maddy Proud
Maddy Turner
Sam Wallace