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 NSW Swifts defender Lauren Moore next in line at number seven.

With Maddy Turner missing the first couple of rounds with injury, Moore made a name for herself as a real ball winner and game changer down back. The tenacious goal defence found her feet from the minute she stepped out on court, injecting energy and excitement to worry opponents out of the pass credit to her long arms and impressive court coverage. Her hunt for the loose ball was unmatched, tracking the ball with great ease and ending up in the right place at the right time given her read of the play and netball smarts. In her debut season, Moore was not often overwhelmed by the occasion, instead backed herself at each opportunity and played to her strengths to win ball back for the Swifts time after time. She was both an impact player able to come on and change the course of the game or able to lock down an opponent thanks to her tight one on one style depending on what the Swifts needed at that point in time.

A typical goal keeper, Moore at times lacked that drive and transitional play through the middle third, but that did not stop her from having an influence. She was a real workhorse defensively, constantly putting up a strong three-foot guard to block her opposition’s vision into the circle or attacking third in general. Moore left no stone unturned, coming out flying for an intercept and used her closing speed to create tips and turnovers. Her constant movement and footwork in the circle enabled her to push the goalers up high and force them to shoot from distance.

Standing at 184cm Moore utilised her balance and lean over the shot to get in the head of the opposition goalers and used her body to claim prime rebounding position or allow her fellow defender to go up for the loose ball. The connection between Sarah Klau and Moore blossomed early, as the duo read the play well with the latter able to double back on the goal shooter when needed such was their understanding. Moore slotted seamlessly into the Swifts line-up combining with Paige Hadley and Sophie Craig with great ease particularly around circle edge to apply strong hands over pressure.

Moore spent her time in goal defence, wing defence and goal keeper highlighting her impressive versatility and skillset to come on and ply her trade no matter what bib she pulled on. She took the court in every game and managed to collect 28 deflections showcasing just how much of an integral member she was in the Swifts overall defensive unit. After leading the intercept tally early, Moore fell away in the backend of the season as she tired however the 22-year-old still finished with 17 to her name highlighting her cleanliness and capability to attack the ball.