THE Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season has swung around once again with teams shaping up for an exciting year of netball. Having played through a global pandemic last season, the 2021 campaign will be hoping to restore a bit of normality to the netball world as the eight sides compete for that all-elusive premiership.
Coach: Julie Fitzgerald
Captain: Jo Harten
2020 finish: 6th
It was an incredibly difficult season for the GIANTS who were riddled with turmoil surrounding the lack of game time for Australian Diamonds goaler Caitlin Bassett. That was not the only drama surrounding the club with defender, Kristiana Manu’a also controversially being sent off. But drama aside the GIANTS struggled to fully fire on the court with inconsistency one of the most prominent features throughout their season. There were moments of magic throughout the 2020 season with a couple of big wins and some impressive shooting displays especially when it came to the Super Shot and they will be looking to build on those blocks this year.
2021 predictions/expectations:
The only way is up for the GIANTS in 2021 who had a highly controversial 2020 season but showed glimpses of magic across the court. Retaining majority of their list for the upcoming season, the GIANTS are nicely primed to challenge the top sides. Jamie-Lee Price solidified her role as the starting centre with her physicality and strong drives well and truly coming to the fore. The partnership between Kiera Austin and Jo Harten developed last season and will need to take the next step up this season if they are to worry opposition teams with the two able to rotate through the circle and score both from range or under the post. Last year saw the emergence of Maddie Hay with the wing attack looking to take the next step up in her game play with her precise movement around circle edge. Showing flickers of potential last season, versatile circle defender Matilda McDonell will be hoping to make the most of her court time, taking advantage of her long limbs, aerial presence and smothering style of pressure. If she can complement the likes of Manu’a, April Brandley and Sam Poolman then the GIANTS will build a strong defensive core to repel the ball back down the court.
Key player to watch:
There is no denying that all eyes will turn to developing midcourter Amy Parmenter with the wing defence able to light up the court with her closing speed and defensive prowess. The wing defence is able to cherry pick passes and use her lightning quick footwork to build pressure and clog up the space for opposition players. Parmenter is now entering her third season with the GIANTS and is developing at a rate of knots with her court coverage highly impressive. Although she does some of her best work in wing defence she is more than capable of swinging into both centre or wing attack credit to her netball nous. If she is able to further expand on her skillset and increase her endurance levels even further then she will be in for another dominant season.
Team list:
Kiera Austin
April Brandley
Sophie Dwyer
Jo Harten
Maddie Hay
Kristiana Manu’a
Matilda McDonell
Amy Parmenter
Sam Poolman
Jamie-Lee Price
England draws first blood in the Horizon Series
ENGLAND has taken a 1-0 lead over Jamaica in the four match Horizon Series. After a nail biting finish to the first game 24 hours ago, England has claimed the first win of the series. After a tight first half, the Roses shifted into gear to win the match by eight-goals thanks to brilliant defence. […]
Horizon Series begins in a 49-all draw
A DRAW kicked off the Horizon Series between England and Jamaica thanks to clinical end-to-end transition from the Jamaicans. A 49-49 result summed up the calibre of both of these sides with several big time players shining throughout. A formidable defensive end for the Sunshine Girls was up against an ever so growing shooting combination […]
PREVIEW | 2024 Horizon Series
THE LAST international series between the big countries of world netball gets underway this weekend as England and Jamaica battle it out for the 2024 Horizon Series. The first two matches will be played in the AO Arena in Manchester, before the series heads to Kingston in Jamaica a week later for tests three and […]
Country star Lavis takes major leaps to get a taste of SSN
TRAVELLING from Victoria-New South Wales border into Melbourne multiple times a week would take a toll on any person. Numerous hours in the car, training for two hours, then having to drive back. It’s an endless cycle. Mia Lavis has learnt to adapt to that being from the country town of Howlong, but she appreciates […]
2025 Suncorp Super Netball fixture revealed
STARTING on April 5 2025, the Suncorp Super Netball fixture was announced with big matchups and a split round included in the 14-round season, which will end on July 13. Opening the new season, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will play the Melbourne Vixens in a Grand Final rematch, while First Nations Round will be played in […]
Fast5 Netball: Australia takes home the double against the Kiwis
THIS year’s Fast5 competition was a fruitful one for the Australian men’s and women’s teams, taking home the gold after two days play in Christchurch. The Australian Women won their third consecutive campaign after claiming the title, whereas the New Zealand Men missed out on the treble this year after the Aussies turned the tables […]
PREVIEW | Fast 5 World Series
THE INTERNATIONAL netball season heads for a more of a light hearted turn this weekend with the annual Fast 5 World Series taking place across the ditch in New Zealand. For the next two days, six women’s teams and three mens teams from around the world will descend on Christchurch for a very different version […]
Charlotte Sexton’s dreams are becoming a reality
“I WANT to make Suncorp Super Netball, not sure how many years I’m off doing that, but hopefully a training partner role is the next step.” Little did Charlotte Sexton know, that statement would soon become a reality. Sexton was announced as one of the five training partners with the Melbourne Vixens for the 2025 […]
Diamonds delve into positives despite disapointing result
DESPITE having already lost the series, the Australian Diamonds still came away from Wednesday night’s final Constellation Cup match with something to smile about having convincingly won the final test. Reflecting on it all post match, Diamonds’ head coach Stacey Marinkovich described the importance of winning the match to bookend the year as “huge”. “I […]
