THERE was no shortage of impressive individual and team efforts across both the ANZ Premiership and Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) this week. Round 9 of the SSN rolled around with some upsets headlining the round while across the ditch the Northern Mystics consolidated their spot atop of the ladder.

GOALS:

It is becoming a weekly occurrence in the ANZ Premiership with Grace Nweke once again topping the table for the number of goals scored slotting 54 goals from 65 attempts to convert at 83 per cent, lower than her usual accuracy but still dominant to post. Maia Wilson increased her load for the Stars nailing 40 goals from 46 attempts while Caitlin Bassett showcased just what she is capable of with an impressive 34 goals from 35 attempts at 97 per cent. It was arguably Bassett’s best game to-date with the goal shooter starring under the post with her accuracy while Pulse goal shooter Aliyah Dunn was also accurate to post but was down on her volume finishing with 21 goals from 22 attempts. In terms of goal attacks, Khiarna Williams had a game to remember with her 20 from 23 while Tiana Metuarau also imposed herself for the Steel sinking 15 goals at 75 per cent. Ivana Rowland enjoyed her time out on court nailing 11 goals from 13 attempts for the Pulse while Te Paea Selby-Rickit was solid with her 16 goals but lacked accuracy. Speaking of lacking accuracy, Jamie Hume struggled to find her radar with 20 goals from 33 attempts at 61 per cent.

There were a number of strong performances across the board in the goal circle with West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler impressing with her 47 goals from 48 attempts at 98 per cent. She was not alone when it came to accuracy with Sophie Garbin starring in her 39 minutes out on court with 31 goals at 94 per cent while Adelaide Thunderbirds shooter Lenize Potgieter upped the ante finishing with 42 goals from 45 attempts. The combination of Romelda Aiken and Gretel Bueta was back to its damaging best with the pair scoring 39 and 23 goals respectively at a combined 87 per cent. Helen Housby had a hot hand from super shot range sinking four of her five attempts while also shooting at 100 per cent from the one zone. Cara Koenen was a strong force under the post for the Lightning sinking 26 goals from 30 attempts while Steph Wood also found her groove shooting at 94 per cent. Meanwhile Kaylia Stanton arguably had her best game to date finishing with 18 goals from 21 attempts as Mwai Kumwenda was up to her usual tricks with 34 goals.

MIDCOURT:

Northern Stars wing attack Gina Crampton led the competition for goal assists this round racking up 35 with her precise ball placement consistently coming to the fore, as did Peta Toeava with the Northern Mystics wing attack amassing a team-high 26. Whitney Souness was the go-to girl for the Pulse finishing with 21 goal assists while Sam Winders led the charge for the Magic with 21 of her own. Shannon Saunders was electric with ball in hand for her 19 goal assists as Kate Heffernan impressed both in defence and offence with her nine assists and two gains. Both Kimiora Poi and Tayla Earle had strong performances through the centre with seven goal assists and two intercepts for Poi and 14 goal assists and an intercept for Earle. There is no denying that Charlotte Elley was the pick of the crop in wing defence with the Tactix speedster collecting an intercept and two deflections.

It was a standout performance from Maisie Nankivell with the Adelaide Thunderbirds wing attack amassing 31 goal assists with the next closest Queensland Firebirds centre Kim Ravaillion with 29. It did not stop there for Ravaillion as she also picked up three deflections and a gain. Verity Charles proved to be the go-to girl for the Fever collecting 23 goal assists and two deflections while in her milestone 100^th game Maddy Proud made her presence felt racking up 18 goal assists, three deflections and an intercept. For the Lightning it was Laura Scherian that paved the way with her 12 goal assists meanwhile Hannah Mundy and Kate Moloney recorded 15 and 10 respectively. Kelsey Browne led the charge for the Pies with 14 while Ash Brazill got plenty of hands to ball with her two gains and four deflections. Speaking of wing defences and both Shadine van der Merwe and Kate Eddy had impactful games for their respective sides with the former registering two intercepts and three deflections while Eddy managed three gains. Jamie-Lee Price also racked up the defensive stats with her two gains and four deflections.

DEFENCE:

Defensively the Tactix had the run of the mill with Jane Watson and Karin Burger impressing down back. Watson finished with four intercepts, a pickup and a rebound as Burger collected two intercepts and three gains. Kelera Nawai was strong for the Pulse with her two intercepts and three rebounds while Sulu Fitzpatrick showcased her wares both in goal keeper and goal defence for the Mystics to accrue five gains. Anna Harrison was a shining light for the Stars picking up four deflections and three gains as Erena Mikaere run amuck for the Magic finishing with eight gains including two intercepts. Teammate Georgia Tong also got hands to ball with her three gains.

It is hard to go past the efforts of Shamera Sterling with the Thunderbirds goal keeper picking up a whopping eight intercepts to accompany her five gains and six deflections. Geva Mentor also imposed herself with six deflections and three gains as the Firebirds duo in Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe ran riot combining for 11 deflections, four intercepts and five rebounds. Courtney Bruce was at her damaging best for the Fever continuously getting hands to ball credit to her nine deflections and three intercepts as Lightning’s Karla Pretorius showcased her star power with seven gains. Emily Mannix did not skip a beat upon her return with four intercepts and two gains as partner in crime Jo Weston also got busy with her three deflections.

Photo credit: SSN Twitter