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 Australian young guns Cara Koenen and Kate Eddy. 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 13 is fast improver Cara Koenen, with the young goal shooter flourishing under Noeline Taurua’s coaching in 2019 and proving she is a real player to watch in the future. While she sat behind Australian Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett in prior Suncorp Super Netball seasons and shared the stage with Peace Proscovia at Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2019, she took it upon herself to prove she deserved the starting spot. Her willingness to improve and ability to take on constructive feedback has worked wonders for her confidence slotting into the starting seven for Lightning. Koenen’s clean hands and ability to change up her play style depending on the situation is credit to her vision, read of the play and quick footwork, with the young goaler always thinking a few passes ahead. Her accuracy and volume improved last season along with her making her a real prospect and threat at the post despite her youth.

Number 12 sees newly anointed Melbourne Vixen, Kate Eddy join the fray. The ex-NSW Swift found her form over the past few seasons but has returned to her home state for the 2020 season, eager to slot into a consistent position in the starting lineup and with the handy versatility of being able to rotate through wing defence, goal defence and goal keeper when required. Eddy’s ability to make clean and well-timed intercept is a credit to her read of the play while her transition into defence and hands over pressure ensure she is always there to make her opposition think about their next move. Her explosive speed and tenacity is showcased in any of her choice positions, deflecting the ball and gathering it well wherever she plays. The home-grown Victorian is sure to slot right in to the Vixens lineup, while her versatility makes her a key inclusion for a side that doesn’t tend to switch up positions all that often. While she has not yet had a formal chance on the international stage – apart from being vice captain of the Australian Netball World Youth Cup team in 2017 – Eddy is a real contender for the future of Australian netball.
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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)
15. Whitney Souness (New Zealand)
14. Amy Parmenter (Australia)
13. Cara Koenen (Australia)
12. Kate Eddy (Australia)