THE 2021 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season has come to a close with the focus now on the off-season and next year. Draft Central takes a look at each teams respective season with the final team under the microscope is premiers NSW Swifts.

Ladder: 1st
Win-loss: 9-5
Percentage:  105.57%

It was a fairytale finish for the NSW Swifts who claimed the 2021 SSN premiership defeating cross-town rivals the GIANTS by four goals. The Swifts were consistent from the opening match and while they had one or two little hiccups along the way they played with great precision and composure to steadily plug away and dominate. A key component of the Swifts’ game play throughout the season was their capacity to treasure possession and play clean and clinical netball which they did especially throughout their finals campaign. To put it quite simply, the Swifts were a well-rounded team that knew their job with each and every player able to implement their role and fulfil it to the highest possible level to get them over the line each time they stepped out on court.

What worked well?

The Swifts defensive combination of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner was back to its dominant best with the two running amuck down back. Klau showcased her cleanliness and read of the play to be a smothering option in goal keeper while Turner utilised her niggly style of defence to suffocate her opponent and get hands to ball. The duo were just about unstoppable down back while the occasional injection of Lauren Moore was more than beneficial. The other aspect that worked exceptionally well for the Swifts was their goal circle with Sam Wallace, Helen Housby and Sophie Garbin creating a three-pronged attack. The trio were more than capable of exploding out of the gates and imposing themselves on the contest with their accuracy to post and movement causing all sorts of chaos inside the goal circle. If one was not firing the other was, such was the luxury the Swifts had at their disposal making them an incredibly slick unit. Maddy Proud was nothing short of a workhorse throughout the season for the Swifts with the co-captain riding every bump and wave to ensure her side were there at the end.

What went wrong?

All in all it is fair to say that not much went wrong for the Swifts throughout the season given they walked away with their second premiership in three years. But with so many talented players at their disposal it was sometimes a bit tricky for each and every player to get a run out on court and while the rolling subs was a huge bonus it also played somewhat of a hindrance to the Swifts. The Swifts were littered with exciting options through the midcourt with and that was often their Achilles heel with Briony Akle more than willing to ring in the changes which often did not leave a lot of time for the side to settle. The wing attack position in particular was the main source of change with the likes of Proud, Paige Hadley, Nat Haythornthwaite and Tayla Fraser occasionally rotating through the position to create a spark and bringing their own flair to the game.

Most valuable player?

In a team littered with stars it is hard to narrow down the cream of the crop however it is incredibly hard to go past the services of Wallace who was once again in a league of her own. The goal shooter boasted nothing but class and dominance to post with her ability to snatch the ball out of mid-air and overall athleticism coming to the fore. She was a rock under the post and more importantly added a couple of strings to her bow including her willingness to shoot from range. Her accuracy was paramount as was her high volume as she continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Most improved player? 

Gaining a bit more court time this season compared to previous seasons it is fair to say that Garbin announced herself as a player to watch. The up and coming goaler proved that she is more than capable of standing on her own two feet and commanding the ball with her strong holds and clever movement inside the ring. A natural goal shooter, Garbin did her best work when stationed back there but also showcased her depth and development to hold her own out in goal attack and keep the movement happening. Her vision into the circle was key while her elevation was second to none, able to soar up high and reel in the looping pass no matter the amount of physical pressure she was under.

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