AFTER an extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season is set to commence on August 1. Draft Central takes a look at each team, with Sunshine Coast Lightning the penultimate team on the list. 

Coach: Kylee Byrne
Captain: Laura Langman
2019 finish: 1st

Another monumental season in 2019 saw the Lightning almost win their third premiership in as many years but suffered a heartbreaking grand final loss that saw the side down on its typical form under a barrage from the Swifts. The team had some major changes at the end of the 2018 season making for a shaky start in 2019, though their pickups more than made up for their losses once the season was underway. The return of Laura Langman paid dividends with the champion midcourter having an immediate impact, while both Cara Koenen and Peace Proscovia shared the goal shooter role early and were able to offer different options to post, making for a varied attack with a couple of versatile and mobile options in there alongside Steph Wood. The departure of captain Geva Mentor at the end of 2018 could have shaken the Lightning, but the pickup of South African defender Phumza Maweni proved valuable, with the goal keeper working in tandem with compatriot Karla Pretorius to dominate defensively.

2020 predictions/expectations:

While last season saw a host of player changes as the side rebuilt after losing key names, 2020 will see the exact same list as last year meaning that the side has not had to worry about forging and developing connections. The Lightning are not known for staying stagnant for long, so they will surely be a team to watch in 2020 with versatility around the court and a solid group on the bench who can rotate on and make a difference within the game. This will be Kylee Byrne’s first year at the helm, so the real question this season is whether the team will cope without past coach, Noeline Taurua, with the New Zealand coach returning home at the end of last season. With three grand finals behind them and wins in two of them, expect the Lightning to be up there again thanks to the impressive form and adaptability the team has showed so far in the competition, with a core group proving impressive time and time again.

Key player to watch:

Koenen may still be young, but has well and truly proven over the past season that she is more than ready to take on further load on match-day and has the accuracy to cement her spot as one to watch not only for fans, but for future international selectors. The 24-year-old made a case for herself in 2019, plying her trade at the post and putting on consistent performances to prove she is up to the task. The goal shooter has proved over the past few years that she is a sponge soaking up feedback, learning to be a strong holding shooter from Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett when the towering goaler was at the Lightning, before the young talent worked hard in 2019 to pave her own way to the post, with her versatility and clean footwork allowing her to have an impact out in goal attack too. 

Team list:

Steph Wood
Laura Langman
Cara Koenen
Maddy McAuliffe
Karla Pretorius
Laura Scherian
Jacqui Russell
Annika Lee-Jones
Peace Proscovia
Phumza Maweni