IN a new article for the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season, Rookie Me Central will take a look at Club Power Rankings. The rankings will focus on goal difference (starting with last season’s goal difference) to predict the results in each match. Then, from the actual results, teams will either gain or lose points if they achieved the predicted goal difference. Naturally as teams win by more, the expected goal difference will increase, and vice-versa for the losers. The first three rounds (so each team has at least two matches) will focus on last year’s goal difference, before moving onto the 2022 numbers.

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ROUND 4 POWER RANKINGS

#1 Manchester Thunder (-)

Retaining top spot for yet another week, the Thunder gained an additional 3.88 points to go up to 36.30 in total thus far. Their impressive 2022 numbers kick in for next week’s rankings, which will be key to see if they can keep up the rage but another strong win – this time by 11 goals over Strathclyde Sirens – was enough to hold them in good stead.

#2 Loughborough Lightning (-)

Also retaining second spot for another week are the reigning champions. The Lightning added another 4.10 to their total with a comprehensive 16-goal win over Surrey Storm, when the predicted score was just under 12. Like the Thunder, once their 2022 averages kick in, it will be fascinating to see if they can retain the spot and form.

#3 London Pulse (+2)

One of the big improvers this season, the Pulse piled on 20.48 from a huge 17-goal win over Wasps. Based on last year’s scores, Pulse were predicted to lose by around three goals, but the win handed them plenty of points, and they leapfrogged both the Saracens Mavericks and Team Bath. The Pulse may be most affected by the update to 2022 scores given they are a far improved side on last year’s numbers.

#4 Saracens Mavericks (-)

The Mavericks watched the Pulse and Bath swap spots, but did not need to move, gaining a handy four points, which was enough to put them ahead of Bath. The Mavericks won by 10 goals over the Severn Stars from a predicted victory of six, though they are still 13 points off Pulse, the Mavericks and Bath are clear of the bottom six sides.

#5 Team Bath (-2)

Though Bath had a step drop (-13.95), the blue and gold are more than capable of making it back up. It was a good time if any to have it, with the new scores kicking in next week. Bath suffered defeat to Surrey Storm by four goals, a side they were predicted to be by 10, which caused the big drop and moving down rom third to fifth. In saying that, even a narrow win would have likely seen the drop below the Pulse, though retained at least fourth spot.

#6 Strathclyde Sirens (-)

The Scottish side remained in sixth despite a massive leap from Surrey Storm. Whilst the previously 10th ranked Storm overtook three other sides, the Sirens maintained the sixth spot by just 0.43. The Sirens went down by 11 goals to Manchester Thunder – with a predicted loss of seven – but were at least competitive for the most part to ensure they did not drop much further down.

#7 Surrey Storm (+3)

The Storm were the bolter of Round 4 with an impressive upset win over Team Bath in a result few saw coming. The Storm won by four goals in a massive upset on the road, when they were tipped to lose by 10 goals. Unfortunately a 16-goal loss to Loughborough Lightning – when the predicted loss was 12 – saw them drop four points, which nudged Surrey down from sixth to seventh overall. Still, it was the largest rise of Round 4 from 10th to seventh.

#8 Leeds Rhinos (-8)

One of the teams leapfrogged by the Storm, the Rhinos let the Celtic Dragons get a little close for comfort. After leading by a mile, with the Welsh side hitting back, it meant that the predicted 10-goal win ended up at just five. That saw a drop of five points, and just sitting ahead of Severn Stars in the bottom four.

#9 Severn Stars (-)

The Stars retained ninth spot with the Storm rising above them, and the Wasps dropping to the bottom. Severn Stars lost four points from their total after a 10-goal loss to Saracens Mavericks (predicted six-goal loss), but they are only 1.05 points behind Leeds Rhinos, and in a good spot to make some moves in the next few rounds with the 2022 scores kicking in.

#10 Celtic Dragons (+1)

The Welsh side is off the bottom for the first time in 2022, having again been competitive – this time against Leeds Rhinos – whilst Wasps Netball dropped below them. They are not out of the woods yet, because they are still winless, but given the scores are so low, competitive efforts will see Celtic gain traction up the table.

#11 Wasps Netball (-3)

Wasps take over the mantle as the bottom side this season despite having a win – that Celtic Dragons do not – but the heavy defeat at the hands of London Pulse really hurt. Sitting eighth heading into Round 4, the Wasps were predicted to beat London Pulse by three based on last year’s scores, but instead went down by 17. If there was one team set to benefit from the change to 2022 scores, it is the Wasps who have dropped down from their 2021 performances.