IN a new article for the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season, Rookie Me Central will take a look at Club Power Rankings. The rankings will focus on goal difference (starting with last season’s goal difference) to predict the results in each match. Then, from the actual results, teams will either gain or lose points if they achieved the predicted goal difference. Naturally as teams win by more, the expected goal difference will increase, and vice-versa for the losers. From this point on, the calculations are focusing on the 2022 expected wins and goals.

>> FULL EXAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS

ROUND 9 POWER RANKINGS

#1 London Pulse (+1)

In a strange twist, London Pulse regained top spot in the Power Rankings despite going down to the rankings leaders Manchester Thunder. The Pulse were anticipated to lose by five goals, but by getting within three – and every chance of coming away with the points – they gained two points and moved up to top spot.

#2 Manchester Thunder (-1)

The Thunder are definitely stiff to drop down a spot despite remaining undefeated, but that is showing just how much of a benchmark they had set prior. The narrow win saw them marginally drop below the Pulse, but they still hold onto second spot ahead of their clash with the Lightning.

#3 Loughborough Lightning (-)

Remaining undefeated ahead of their clash with the equally undefeated Thunder, the Lightning gained a solitary point by clearing the 13-goal probability against Severn Stars with the 14-goal win. As Team Bath dropped off, the Lightning are now more than 30 points clear in third spot.

#4 Surrey Storm (+1)

The Storm picked up an eight-goal win over Wasps Netball when the teams headed in on level pegging, meaning the Storm were able to grab eight points and surpass Bath who fell down the order. Surrey has been building nicely of late and continue to move up the table.

#5 Strathclyde Sirens (+1)

After a tough draw to start the season, the Sirens picked up a 10-goal win over Celtic Dragons in what was a much-needed victory. They should be able to pick up a few more wins in the coming weeks and start to rise up the VNSL table. The victory earned the Scottish team 6.5 points.

#6 Team Bath (-2)

It was a weekend to forget for Team Bath, but for good reason. Unfortunately the blue and gold side lost a number of key players to Health and Safety protocols, which resulted in the 12-goal loss to Wasps. Unfortunately the omissions did not factor into the steadfast Power Rankings, so Bath lost the 15.5 points and dropped from fourth to sixth. Expect them to bounce back soon.

#7 Wasps Netball (+1)

Wasps Netball were on the bottom of this list not too long ago, but they are fast approaching a positive score, with a total of -6.98 for the season. They picked up another 15.5 points thanks to that win over Bath, and would have been as remarkably high as fifth had they not then coughed up an eight-goal loss to the Storm. Nonetheless, they still move up a spot.

#8 Saracens Mavericks (-1)

It is clear the Mavericks are far better than this spot, but unfortunately they have hit a rough spot of late and also lost key players to Health and Safety Protocols on the weekend. It resulted in a two-goal loss to the Rhinos when they were predicted to win by that margin. It saw them drop a spot, but it means they should be able to cover the ground fairly easily soon.

#9 Leeds Rhinos (-)

Leeds’ win over Saracens Mavericks by two goals saw them pick up 4.5 points, and whilst they are still a fair way off eighth, the Rhinos are well clear of the bottom two now, and are starting to click a bit more. There is a bit of a gap after them, so if they can follow a similar trajectory to the Wasps, expect them to move up the table.

#10 Celtic Dragons (-)

Celtic Dragons maintained their spot in 10th despite dropping 6.5 points during the 10-goal loss to Strathclyde Sirens, courtesy of Severn Stars not able to gain ground. The Dragons are at -51.03 points but still nine safe above the Stars. They need to pick it up if they are to head back up the ladder, though.

#11 Severn Stars (-)

Holding up the table is the Stars who are still yet to win since Round 1 and horribly out of form. They went down to Loughborough Lightning which was expected, but could not keep it within the 13-goal predicted margin, and the Lightning gained a point, whilst the Stars dropped a point, to be -60.25 overall.