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 Sunshine Coast Lightning, who finished fourth in 2021.

Season 2021

Ladder: 4th
Win-loss: 8-6
Percentage: 98.92%

Overall, 2021 was a pretty good season for the Lightning, but they will certainly be looking to climb the ladder a little more in 2022.

They did have some big wins in their campaign – including against a fully fit and firing West Coast Fever – but a couple of unexpected losses to the likes of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Queensland Firebirds saw the Lightning slide down the ladder and ultimately finish fourth.

They then faced the Fever in the minor semi final but ultimately lost by eight goals and their season came to an end.

There were many elements of the Lightning game that worked well last season, but when things got stagnant in attack they sometimes struggled to forge a way forward. This will be something that the Lightning coaches will no doubt be aiming to fix this season.

Heading into 2022, there have been a few changes made to the Lightning line-up. Firstly, the departures. Internationals Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni have headed elsewhere away from the SSN and stalwart Madeline McAuliffe retired unexpectedly.

To replace these three stalwarts, the Lightning have mostly looked to promote training partners, but they have not promoted their own. Tara Hinchliffe and Reilley Batcheldor have both come across from cross state rivals the Firebirds.

Batcheldor was on the Firebirds’ training partner list, and is a goaler with a lot of potential, especially under the guidance of the current starting shooters the Lightning have, and can also rotate between both positions in the circle.

Hinchliffe was recruited from the Firebirds’ main list, and is a reliable defender that moved across in the free agency period. Unfortunately for Lightning fans, they won’t get to see her out on court straight away as she tore her ACL in the latter part of the 2021 season.

Annie Miller is another promoted training partner, but she has come from the GIANTS and the Netball NSW pathway. She is a midcourter, who will bring a youthful injection, plenty of composure and a burst of speed to the Lightning line up.

The final new recruit for the Lightning this season is Kadie-Ann Dehaney. Dehaney is a goal keeper who has come up from the Melbourne Vixens and will be looking for more starting opportunities on court this season. She is a clever mover with an excellent wingspan and is able to anticipate the pass and shut down ball movements will well timed deflections.

Something else that has changed for the Lightning in 2022 is their captain. Foundation player and star shooter Steph Wood will captain the side in 2022, replacing Karla Pretorius who is currently expecting her first child but has flagged a return next year.

Laura Scherian and Hinchliffe have been elevated to the roles of co-vice-captains.

Lightning head coach Kylee Burns spoke highly of her team’s leaders for this season.

“Our club has a proud history of leaders and I know that Steph, Tara and Shez will continue that legacy,” Byrne said.

“Steph is a world class athlete and I’ve watched her confidence grow throughout her career and to now see her step into that captaincy role is real reward for effort for her. “Steph is a natural leader who can drive standards and accountability, while also inspiring her teammates with her output and energy on court.

“Shez [Laura Scherian] is such a great Club person who leads through her actions both as an elite netballer and as a person – so to gain the official title of Vice Captain off the back of her peers’ recommendations is really special.

“While Tara is new to our Lightning environment, she has leadership characteristics in spades and that immediately resonated with the playing group and coaches. And  the work she has put into her rehabilitation and now reintegration to the group has been incredible. “We also felt it was really important to recognise Karla as part of this group, albeit from afar in South Africa – as a foundation player she has such knowledge and experience to share and is still one of our key leaders.”

Wood said that she felt privileged to be voted captain for the 2022 season.

“It really is an honour to be named captain of Sunshine Coast Lightning and it’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. “We’ve worked really hard this pre-season and I feel this group has so much untapped potential and upside and it’s my role to help get the best out of each of them.”

Will the Lightning make the rise up the ladder this season?

First up, the Lightning have a trip west to face the Fever on the 27th March at 4pm.

2022 SQUAD

Attack:

Cara Koenen
Steph Wood
Reiley Batcheldor

Midcourt:

Mahalia Cassidy
Laura Scherian
Annie Miller

Defence:

Karla Pretorius*
Kate Shimmin
Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Tara Hinchliffe

*Waiting to announce replacement