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 sole international name in the mix Jodi-Ann Ward after debuting for the Collingwood Magpies in Round 1.

While not a first year player like much of the rest of this list, Ward was included on this countdown purely because she debuted at SSN level in 2020 and showcased some real improvement as the season went on. An exciting defender who can move between both goal defence and wing defence, Ward was one of the most consistent fixtures for the Magpies during the season credit to her constant attack on the ball and willingness to enter the contest time and again. Never one to shy away from the physicality, what made Ward’s season so remarkable was her consistent improvement, continuously developing her craft as the season went on and gradually reducing her penalty count to provide a threat both on and off the ball. While Ward sometimes seemed messy early on, she really cleaned up her act to stay in the contest and create exciting plays to negate and dull down her opposition.

Ward’s cohesiveness with Geva Mentor improved round on round, with the duo exciting to watch given Ward’s attacking mentality and hunt on the ball and Mentor’s ability to create the loose ball for Ward to follow up. Ward’s quick footwork and great endurance continuously provided a threat both within the goal circle and on the outer, able to burst into space and create a turnover on a consistent basis. The Jamaican has a knack for finding the loose ball, and uses her smaller frame to niggle into tight spaces and wreak havoc on the ball carrier with her ball-tracking ability.

While the Magpies did not have a massively successful season, Ward’s improvement was paramount to the side’s continuous improvement, getting close to a second win as the season went on. While that win never came to fruition, Ward showcased a relentlessness, always fighting hard for the ball no matter the scoreline and contesting each and every pass that came her way. Ward also proved a great link up through the midcourt, using her speed and evasiveness to drive up the centre third and provide an alternative back-up option on the transverse line, combining well with the likes of Mel Bragg, Molly Jovic and Tilly Garrett where required to propel the ball forward.

Standing at 178cm, Ward may not be the tallest player but makes up for it with her aerial skill, able to pluck the ball out of the air with ease and delay passes down court with her hands over pressure. The 26-year-old played all 14 matches this season for the Magpies and racked up 48 deflections, 29 intercepts and 16 rebounds throughout, a testament to her continuous drive to win ball back for the Pies and her development across the season.