WITH a number of netball leagues across the world being suspended due to COVID-19, the Draft Central team is making a case for the top 25 players under 25-years-old across the netball world. The countdown continues with New Zealand goaler Aliyah Dunn and young Aussie defender, Tara Hinchliffe. With so much talent at our disposal, this countdown is purely opinion-based, taking into consideration recent form, individual potential and future development.

In at number 17 is Aussie defender Tara Hinchliffe, a young gun who has had plenty of exposure on the Suncorp Super Netball stage playing with the Queensland Firebirds for the past few seasons. With tenacity, an impressive read of the play and an ability to impact the contest, Hinchliffe has burst onto the scene first learning off one of the best in Laura Geitz before being tasked with holding up the defensive end with fellow young gun Kim Jenner in season 2019. With a solid and relatively consistent season in the books Hinchliffe will hope for more exposure in defence in future seasons, looming as a real talent able to rotate between goal defence, goal keeper and wing defence when required. Hinchliffe’s lean over the shot and timing on the jump is impressive for her youth while her ability to pressure a ball out of court or tip a deflection is credit to her star potential with plenty of room to grow. Her cleanliness last season may have left something to be desired given her penalty count and time it took to adjust to the umpire, but given that’s something that will come with time the future is bright for Hinchliffe.

Number 16 on the countdown is reserved for talented New Zealand youngster, Aliyah Dunn, a star goal shooter in the making with impressive accuracy, volume and room to grow at her disposal. Dunn had a real breakout season in 2018 and has been a permanent and imposing fixture with Central Pulse in the ANZ Premiership since then, shooting at an average accuracy of 91 per cent across 2018 and 2019 and well and truly making her an exciting prospect at only 20-years-old. She is fortunate to step out on court with Ferns captain, Ameliaranne Ekenasio by her side, learning and growing from her influence week by week. Dunn was given the top honour of earning some international caps with the New Zealand Silver Ferns across the past few international seasons starting in 2018, and while she has not yet earned a consistent spot in the side she went a long way in proving her skill on the international stage. While she has been hesitant in the limelight at times, her ability to take on the contest and take the step to the next level says a lot about her future with the Ferns and the success of the national team.

Top 25 so far:

25. Latanya Wilson (Jamaica)
24. Summer Artman (England)
23. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (England)
22. Matilda Garrett (Australia)
21. Razia Quashie (England)
20. Sophie Garbin (Australia)
19. Imogen Allison (England)
18. Kelly Jury (New Zealand)
17. Tara Hinchliffe (Australia)
16. Aliyah Dunn (New Zealand)