Countdown: SSN Top 15 debutants #12

IT has been a big year of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) that saw a host of new faces enter the league. While many may have been elevated training partners due to the extended bench there are a couple of players who made their long-awaited SSN debut with one boasting international experience. Draft Central has composed a countdown of the Top 15 SSN debutants for 2020 with the next in line Nyah Allen at number 12.

A young up and coming prospect the Collingwood Magpies goaler got very limited court time throughout the season and missed out on the opportunity to really stake her claim on the competition. However, when on court Allen showcased her array of talent to command the ball and use her footspeed to position well inside the circle and shoot truly. Often unbothered by the bigger bodied and taller defenders, Allen backed herself in time and time again to dance around the circle and really came alive in the super shot period to apply a wealth of scoreboard pressure. She was a real impact player able to burst onto the court and ply her trade to spark the Pies attacking unit, shaking things up for opposition teams even if it was only momentarily.

She showed glimpses of her potential out the front in goal attack with her smooth movement and timing a couple of key factors in the way she approached the game. Her transitional play was also a highlight able to dart out of the goal circle and then back into it, in a second testament to her speed and high netball IQ. Allen was cool, calm and composed each time she stepped out on court, often looking for the next play and setting up to ensure the Magpies had options aplenty. Her connections with Gabby Sinclair, Emma Ryde and Shimona Nelson steadily forged as she rotated between both the goal attack and goal shooter position highlighting her adaptability and go-get-it mentality. The 18-year-old valued the speed of Molly Jovic and Kelly Altmann through the centre while her game play was supported by the likes of Madi and Kelsey Browne prior to their respective injuries.

Allen finished the season with 29 goals to her name with 13 of them super shots highlighting her willingness to back herself from range. Her conversion of the super shot was 48 per cent a little bit lower than she would have liked however still quite impressive given the high stakes circumstances she was often brought in under. Her overall shooting percentage was higher sitting at 67 per cent and she will only further blossom with more exposure at the elite level. There is no denying that there is plenty of upside in the way Allen plays, given she is a smooth mover and is light on her feet able to glide across the court and lose her defender in a blink of an eye.

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3 years ago

[…] #6 Jodi-Ann Ward #7 Lauren Moore #8 Allie Smith #9 Maddie Hay #10 Elle McDonald #11 Tayla Honey #12 Nyah Allen #13 Tayla Williams #14 Binnian Hunt #15 Tyler […]