A HUGE month of 2022 Suncorp Super Netball signing action is done and dusted, with all eight 10-player teams confirmed for the upcoming season and some intriguing changes amongst the ranks. It is time to run through each of the 2022 team lists, and next up is the continually successful Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The Sunshine Coast Lightning had an intriguing trade period to say the least, losing a key player from each area of the court as internationals Peace Proscovia (Uganda) and Phumza Maweni (South Africa) headed elsewhere and midcourt stalwart Madeline McAuliffe unexpectedly retired. With five finals runs under their belt already, there is no doubt the Lightning will be looking to reach the heights of 2017/18 again in 2022 and continue their relative dominance within the SSN. Once again the Lightning boast a very defensively heavy squad with a couple of surprise packets in a very new look back-end, while they have also invested in emerging pathways talent through the attack and midcourt. Intriguingly, neither of the two elevated training partners were within the Lightning ranks, proving they clearly caught the eye throughout the year despite disrupted matchplay due to COVID.

Newcomers:

Tara Hinchliffe (GK/GD)

Hinchliffe was one of the big movers of the free agency period, swapping the Queensland Firebirds purple for the Lightning. The reliable defender is an unsung hero and, while she may not take the court early in 2022 due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the latter stage of the 2021 season, expect the defender to provide a calm head and plenty of smarts at the back-end.

Kadie-Ann Dehaney (GK)

The Jamaican-born defender comes to the Lightning after a long stint with the Melbourne Vixens, and has more than proved over the past year that she is capable of – and deserves – a starting role on court. The lanky goal keeper is a clever mover with an excellent wingspan, able to anticipate the pass and shut down ball movement with her well-timed deflections.

Reilley Batcheldor (GA/GS)

Another Firebirds defector but from the training partner list, Batcheldor is crafty upcoming goaler with plenty of potential, especially under the tutelage of Lightning’s starting duo. She has the ability to rotate through both positions in the circle and has no fear going to post, using her great footwork to edge closer to the post and able to naturally put goals up from range.

Annie Miller (C/WA)

Another elevated training partner but this time from the GIANTS and Netball NSW pathway, Miller is a talented midcourter with plenty of composure and a burst of speed. Able to provide a handy youthful injection to the Lightning centre court, Miller’s attacking nous and transitional smarts are key attributes to her game while her ability to cover multiple positions will work in her favour.

2022 SQUAD

Attack:

Cara Koenen

Steph Wood

Reilley Batcheldor

Midcourt:

Mahalia Cassidy

Laura Scherian

Annie Miller

Defence:

Karla Pretorius

Kate Shimmin

Tara Hinchliffe

Kadie-Ann Dehaney

Picture credit: Sunshine Coast Daily