THE 2022 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season is almost upon us, so it is time to take a look at each of the contenders for the upcoming season and what 2022 might have in store for them.

Today we look at the GIANTS Netball, who were minor premiers in 2021 but ultimately finished as runners up last season.

Season 2021

Ladder: 2nd
Win-loss: 9-5
Percentage: 107.03%

By all measures, season 2021 was a pretty successful one for the GIANTS.

After suffering a massive injury blow at the start of last season when Kiera Austin went down with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the GIANTS went on to finish the season as the minor premiers.

Although they then lost the major semi-final, they then rallied the next week to beat the Fever and make the grand final. Unfortunately for the GIANTS it was not meant to be in the big dance as they lost to the Swifts in the grand final to ultimately finish runner up.

The GIANTS unearthed one of the surprise packets of the season in 2021 in the form of young shooter Sophie Dwyer. She finished the 2021 season on 389 goals, shooting at 77 per cent efficiency.

The super shot is where she really shone and came into her element though. She shot 52 super shot goals from 93 attempts, which was both the second highest number of super shot goals and she had the second highest number of attempts in the entire league last season. Only teammate Jo Harten had more than her in both categories.

Speaking of the super shot, it was quite the double edged sword for the GIANTS in 2021. When it worked, they would be able to cut down large deficits in a flash, but at times they were too reliant on it and then inaccuracy crept in and they were trying for the long bombs when they could have just as easily worked it into the post for an easy goal.

Heading into 2022, the GIANTS of this season will look very different to the GIANTS of 2021. Firstly, they had three departures in the off season.

Sam Poolman retired, Kristiana Manu’a has gone to the Central Pulse in New Zealand, while Austin has gone down to the Vixens. Although their midcourt has remained unchanged, the question will be how do they repeat what they achieved last season with less experience on the court. Their leaders will certainly help with that.

English star Harten is back as skipper again in 2022, and is joined in the GIANTS leadership group by first time Vice-Captain Jamie-Lee Price and first time member of the leadership group Maddie Hay. All three made the Team of the Year last year and will be looking to have another great year this year and bring their teammates along with them.

To replace their three departures, the GIANTS have rewarded their own, with two of their three replacements former GIANTS training partners.

Matisse Letherbarrow is a goaler who has been a training partner of the GIANTS in the last couple of seasons. She has had a few on court opportunities in the last few seasons (as a top up player in 2020 and an injury replacement player in 2021), but will look to make the most of her full time contract status and gain more court time. She has long range capabilities and plenty of smarts, which should compliment the rest of the GIANTS shooters nicely.

Amy Sligar is another former GIANTS training partner looking to make the most of her elevation in 2022. She is a defensive midcourter, with dash and dare in transition.

The third new member of the GIANTS squad is Lauren Moore. She has come across from the Swifts, and can play all three defensive positions.

So how far can this new look GIANTS go in 2022? Not long until we find out.

First up, the GIANTS have a NSW Derby in Round 1 against the Swifts. This match is on the 26th March at 7pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.

2022 SQUAD

Attack:

Jo Harten
Sophie Dwyer
Matisse Letherbarrow

Midcourt:

Jamie-Lee Price
Amy Parmenter
Maddie Hay
Amy Sligar

Defence:

April Brandley
Matilda McDonell
Lauren Moore