IN each round of Suncorp Super Netball we will identify key match-ups, provide an analysis of players and compare the two styles. This week sees a couple of homegrown talents in Melbourne Vixens co-captain Liz Watson and GIANTS Netball youngster, Amy Parmenter match up, with a tight battle likely to ensue.

MELBOURNE VIXENS v. GIANTS NETBALL
Liz Watson (WA) v. Amy Parmenter (WD)

A huge battle through the midcourt will see Watson and Parmenter fight it out for control, with both players more than capable of winning games off their own hands. The duo have distinctly different styles and are known to capitalise on each and every opportunity sent their way, making this matchup one to watch.

One of the best wing attacks in the Super Netball, Watson is a handful under regular circumstances and with the ball on a string and the Vixens at the top of the ladder, the speedy wing attack has been virtually unstoppable to start the season. A threat with ball in hand from just about anywhere on the court, Watson is consistently influential zipping around the court and plying her trade, able to seamlessly transition between defence and attack with ease and form a solid one-two punch on circle edge alongside Kate Moloney. Her impeccable timing on the drive pays dividends for the Vixens time and time again while her speed off the mark allows her to apply hands over pressure and create turnovers down the court. Watson is a real go-getter and will consistently go for the second attempt on every single ball to ensure that she ends up with ball in hand. While not the flashiest player, Watson gets the job done and uses her impeccable game awareness to pick and choose when to pull out the big guns and create something out of nothing. Watson’s combination with Moloney and her goalers in Tegan Philip, Caitlin Thwaites and Mwai Kumwenda is a force to be reckoned with and it will take more than just shutting down Watson to shut down the entire attacking unit.

When it comes to Parmenter it is her speed and innate ability to force turnovers that make her such an influential player. With impressive timing and speed to burn Parmenter has taken the competition by storm over the last year and has continued that form well since the return of Suncorp Super Netball in 2020. While still young, Parmenter has a good head on her shoulders and is able to discern when or when not to go for the loose ball, able to influence the play by keeping her opposition away from the ball handler and blocking the drive time and time again. A wing defence with plenty of tenacity and hunt for the loose ball, Parmenter is a creative player and has consistently provided a huge impact on circle edge with her long arms to apply pressure over the ball and create deflections to gather and propel ball back up the court. One of Parmenter’s most threatening aspects is that she does not necessarily have to play body-on-body to reap the offensive rewards. Parmenter’s ability to track her wing attack around the court yet still play a zone defence allows her to have an impact on the contest and create opportunities regardless of her opposition, given her ability to find the loose ball with ease. Parmenter’s timing and connection with speedster Jamie-Lee Price is a huge plus for the GIANTS with the side relying on the two young guns and their constant intensity to drive the ball up through the midcourt and create turnover ball, while Kristiana Manu’a and Sam Poolman have both shown impressive sign so far in season 2020 allowing Parmenter to create further opportunities.

This will be an enticing match up given both players can take the role as barometer for their respective teams. If Parmenter can limit Watson’s movement to circle edge we could be up for a really interesting battle, although Vixens fans will be hoping Watson’s experience wins out on this occasion given the players setting up around her and the connections their attack unit has forged. That being said, Parmenter’s defensive unit has really solidified in the past season making them a really physical and threatening opposition that could well and truly hunt the Vixens.

Other notable matchups across Round 6 will see Swifts goal keeper Sarah Klau tasked with shutting down Shimona Nelson, while Fever’s Verity Charles will go toe-to-toe with Mahalia Cassidy and Cara Koenen will be in for a tough one against Thunderbirds livewire, Shamera Sterling. The midweek Round 7 battle will see the beginning of the return fixtures, opening with Magpies veteran Geva Mentor taking on Jhaniele Fowler, while Parmenter’s GIANTS will look to go one better than their Round 4 performance against the Queensland Firebirds with another huge battle expected between Jo Harten and Kim Jenner. On the Wednesday evening, watch out for a hungry Helen Housby looking for redemption against Karla Pretorius while closing out the round the Vixens will want to one up their last outing against the Thunderbirds with another intense matchup between Emily Mannix and Lenize Potgieter.