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: Tania Obst
Captain: Hannah Petty
2020 finish: 7th

The Adelaide Thunderbirds had a very up and down season in 2020. While they managed to beat both West Coast Fever and Melbourne Vixens, the grand finalists, their consistency week in week out was not up to scratch. They managed just five wins for the season and nine losses, but they did remain competitive, with no notably big losses to speak of. Making her debut, Georgie Horjus took the SSN by storm. With her versatility to play both wing attack and in the goals, Horjus’ speed and quick movements kept her defenders guessing, while her long range accuracy and confidence to take the Super Shots was a real asset to the Thunderbirds shooting end. Hopefully she can continue that this season. Shamera Sterling, Kate Shimmin and Layla Guscoth combined well in the defence end to make it hard for the opponents throughout the season, but it was not enough. The Thunderbirds will be looking to have a more consistent season this year in an attempt to at least make the finals.

2021 predictions/expectations:

The Thunderbirds have a relatively new line up this season, and it is suspected they might struggle to find their feet early on as they adjust. They have lost co-captain Guscoth, to the Vitality Netball Superleague, Shimmin to the Lightning, Sasha Glasgow to the West Coast Fever, and other co-captain Chelsea Pitman.  The decision to not renew Pitman’s contract was somewhat controversial and will leave a big hole in that attacking unit this season. While these are some big losses, they have managed to pick up some quality players to help fill these spots. Coming over from the Melbourne Vixens, Elle McDonald will replace Pitman in the midcourt, and young guns Horjus and Samantha Gooden are stepping up to shoot alongside Lenize Potgieter. Horjus proved her abilities with Potgieter last season, taking the SSN world by storm with her long range shooting, coming in particularly handy with the introduction of the Super Shot. We could see a really talented defensive end, with the ever reliable Sterling and South African talent Shadine Van Der Merwe joined by Matilda Garrett from the Magpies and Jamaican import Latanya Wilson. While these players are all talented as individuals, it will be interesting to see how they work together this season to make it work. After a few seasons in a row down the bottom end of the ladder, the Thunderbirds will be looking for a better season in 2021.

Key player to watch: 

The Thunderbirds finalised their 2021 signings at the end of last season with the signing of Jamaican young gun, Latanya Wilson. She has been described as a ‘hunter’ on the court, and has the abilities to play all defensive positions, which will be of great help to the Thunderbirds. Wilson first represented Jamaica in 2017 at the Netball World Youth Cup, and was selected as a senior Sunshine Girl for the first time at the start of 2020. Then in January this year, she lined up alongside fellow Jamaican, Sterling, to make her international debut at the Netball Nations Cup. Wilson caused a bit of a stir last year during her time at the Celtic Dragons in the Vitality Superleague, being sent off during one match and suspended for the next for rough conduct. Hopefully under guidance of Sterling, she can hone her defensive skills and become one of the top defenders.

Team List:

Matilda Garrett
Samantha Gooden
Georgie Horjus
Elle McDonald
Maisie Nankivell
Hannah Petty
Lenize Potgieter
Shamera Sterling
Shadine Van Der Merwe
Latanya Wilson