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: Julie Fitzgerald
Captain: Jo Harten
2020 finish: 6th
It was an incredibly difficult season for the GIANTS who were riddled with turmoil surrounding the lack of game time for Australian Diamonds goaler Caitlin Bassett. That was not the only drama surrounding the club with defender, Kristiana Manu’a also controversially being sent off. But drama aside the GIANTS struggled to fully fire on the court with inconsistency one of the most prominent features throughout their season. There were moments of magic throughout the 2020 season with a couple of big wins and some impressive shooting displays especially when it came to the Super Shot and they will be looking to build on those blocks this year.
2021 predictions/expectations:
The only way is up for the GIANTS in 2021 who had a highly controversial 2020 season but showed glimpses of magic across the court. Retaining majority of their list for the upcoming season, the GIANTS are nicely primed to challenge the top sides. Jamie-Lee Price solidified her role as the starting centre with her physicality and strong drives well and truly coming to the fore. The partnership between Kiera Austin and Jo Harten developed last season and will need to take the next step up this season if they are to worry opposition teams with the two able to rotate through the circle and score both from range or under the post. Last year saw the emergence of Maddie Hay with the wing attack looking to take the next step up in her game play with her precise movement around circle edge. Showing flickers of potential last season, versatile circle defender Matilda McDonell will be hoping to make the most of her court time, taking advantage of her long limbs, aerial presence and smothering style of pressure. If she can complement the likes of Manu’a, April Brandley and Sam Poolman then the GIANTS will build a strong defensive core to repel the ball back down the court.
Key player to watch:
There is no denying that all eyes will turn to developing midcourter Amy Parmenter with the wing defence able to light up the court with her closing speed and defensive prowess. The wing defence is able to cherry pick passes and use her lightning quick footwork to build pressure and clog up the space for opposition players. Parmenter is now entering her third season with the GIANTS and is developing at a rate of knots with her court coverage highly impressive. Although she does some of her best work in wing defence she is more than capable of swinging into both centre or wing attack credit to her netball nous. If she is able to further expand on her skillset and increase her endurance levels even further then she will be in for another dominant season.
Team list:
Kiera Austin
April Brandley
Sophie Dwyer
Jo Harten
Maddie Hay
Kristiana Manu’a
Matilda McDonell
Amy Parmenter
Sam Poolman
Jamie-Lee Price
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