WHILST the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season was completed last month, the postseason content does not stop with our positional analysis series up next. Next in this series is a head-to-head between the ever-reliable Australian talent in Emily Mannix and the excitement machine of Jamaican superstar, Shamera Sterling. While both players are known for their ability to find the loose ball, they play somewhat different roles down back in goal keeper for their respective teams.

EMILY MANNIX (GK)

A real livewire down back for the Melbourne Vixens, Mannix has proven over the past few seasons that she has the uncanny ability to not only spot the loose ball but also use her excellent vision and timing to get into prime position for the ball nine times out of 10. Mannix is almost one of the more underrated goal keepers in the competition, not always creating the most exciting patches, but she is one of the most consistent defenders out there, always ready for the ball and able to wreak havoc constantly whether it’s outside the circle on a huge lead and intercept, or on the rebound with her long arms ready to pluck the loose ball. With impressive footwork to navigate around her opposition and stay away from the whistle with her bodywork, Mannix is a threatening goal keeper with her three foot marking and evasiveness to draw her attacker into a false sense of security. Mannix was pivotal in the Vixens’ maiden SSN grand final run, always able to position herself well and use her netball nous to her advantage.

SHAMERA STERLING (GK)

There is no doubt that Sterling is one of the most exciting young defenders in the world, and the 2020 SSN season was no different. Even when she is not at her best, Sterling is a constant threat and can spark into action at a moment’s notice to be a formidable force inside the circle. Sterling’s impressive wingspan consistently allows her to cherry pick the ball out of midair, and uses her athleticism to be an intimidating figure inside the goal circle, forcing players on circle edge to pass around her. Still building in confidence and cleanliness, Sterling has the huge upside of already proving she is more than capable of being the impact player the Adelaide Thunderbirds can rely on, and also can provide that extra pressure outside the circle credit to her great read of the play and vision down court to spot the loose ball get. Able to react within a split second, Sterling is a force to be reckoned with.

COMPARISON

While the two players are more than capable of holding their own, it is very interesting to look at how the two differ in terms of the way they go about their game. While Sterling typically stays within the goal circle to force her goal shooter to make the cut and drives and cleverly blocks vision with her long arms, Mannix has developed to be much more of a hunter outside the circle with her footwork and read of the play on show.

Mannix’s innate ability to be in the right place at the right time rarely fails her, allowing the Vixens goal keeper to consistently be the gift that keeps on giving if her goal shooter allows her the space to do what she does best. That being said, Sterling is also more than capable of holding her own on the outer, with her long arms constantly blocking vision.

The way the two players go about their circle-work is fairly different too, with Sterling excellent at reading the airball, while Mannix has proved to be a real threat below the waist with her ability to zip in and pick off errant bounce passes. While the two have similar heights, with Sterling pipping Mannix at the post by 2cm (190cm to 188cm), they both use their long arms for different purposes when it comes to the loose-ball gets.

Both players took the court in 14 games during the season – though Mannix missed a few through injury, she played in the Melbourne Vixens’ finals run – with Sterling just pipping Mannix at the post for majority of the stats. Sterling registered a whopping 104 deflections, 37 intercepts and 37 rebounds to go with her 15 general play turnovers, while Mannix was cleaner with just seven turnovers for the season to go with her 58 deflections, 32 intercepts and 14 rebounds.

While Sterling certainly got on the stats sheet more, Mannix’s influence off the ball to negate her player from gaining possession was greater, with the goal keeper rarely off her game and able to consistently have an impact even if she was not creating the big moments. Sterling’s ability to force errors was second to none, although her consistency and cleanliness still leaves something to be desired.

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