HEADING into finals Draft Central assess the best defensive unit of the four teams set to take part in the postseason proceedings: Melbourne Vixens, Sunshine Coast Lightning, West Coast Fever and NSW Swifts. When determining the best defensive unit it will take into consideration elements such as goals against, number of intercepts, deflections and gains the combination has collected across the 14 rounds of Suncorp Super Netball.

#1 Melbourne Vixens

It is no surprise that the minor premiers, Melbourne Vixens are recognised as the leading defensive unit in the competition and by a long shot in the top four. Throughout the season the Vixens only conceded 769 goals, 55 less than the next closest Sunshine Coast Lightning. The addition of Kate Eddy to the Vixens line-up over the off-season has paid dividends with the scoreline reflecting that given her work both out in goal defence or wing defence to collect 18 intercepts and 27 deflections. The increased versatility between Eddy, Jo Weston, Emily Mannix and Kadie-Ann Dehaney has been a key reason the Melbourne Vixens sit pretty on top of the ladder and are primed for a big finals series. Mannix has been a key cog down back for the Vixens sitting fifth in the competition for intercepts with 27 along with 51 deflections highlighting her ability to cleanly go out hunting for the ball while Weston has managed 45 deflections and 14 intercepts.

#2 Sunshine Coast Lightning

In terms of goals conceded, the Lightning come in at second with the two-time premiers registering 824 for the season so far. Headed by the likes of South African duo Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius the two have made a name for being incredibly difficult to score against credit to their attacking mentality, lean over the shot and sheer defensive pressure to offset opponents. Pretorius is a ball winner, so much so she leads the competition for intercepts with 38. Maweni is arguably in career best form, getting hands to everything which is reflected in her top five finish for deflections with 80 while also pulling in 20 rebounds.  Although the wing defence position often rotated between Jacqui Russell, Maddy McAuliffe who managed 14 intercepts and 28 deflections and on the odd occasion Laura Langman, consistency in the circle is what has made the Lightning so challenging.

#3 NSW Swifts

The Swifts’ season has been an inconsistent one to say the least but proved time and time again they have the game plan and structures to do damage and win. Starting the season without Maddy Turner due to injury, it allowed Lauren Moore to take the court and blow the competition away. Somewhat of an unknown quantity the goal defence was involved in everything early in the season, so much so she lead the way for intercepts thanks to her tenacity and hunt for the ball. She linked up nicely with Sarah Klau who was a staple down back racking up an impressive 87 deflections and 27 rebounds for the season. Moore rounded out the home and away season with 16 intercepts to her name. As an overall side the Swifts gave up 885 goals the third most in the top four mainly in part to the youthful and frequently changing defence.

#4 West Coast Fever

It is fair to say at the start of the season the West Coast Fever had a bit of a leaky defence and really suffered when Courtney Bruce was sidelined with injury. However one thing that did come to fruition throughout that period was the versatility in which the Fever boasted as youngsters Olivia Lewis and Sunday Aryang stepped up to the plate and delivered. Throw in the experience of Stacey Francis as well and West Coast have an exciting defence despite conceding the most goals out the top four with 897 to their name which is 128 more than the ladder leading Vixens, an area they will have to address if they do face off in the finals. In terms of individual performances Bruce has been a mainstay with her ball winning capabilities consistently on show throughout the season registering 36 intercepts while also coming in fifth for deflections with 80.