THE 2020 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season saw plenty of fresh faces step up to the plate, with Draft Central introducing its Courtside Comments series which focused on one player across the round and their individual highlights, key moments and improvements during the match. Now that the season is done and dusted, Managing Editor Taylah Melki and Senior Editor Sophie Taylor look back at each player’s season as a whole, discussing their overall form in 2020.

>>>ALL 2020 COURTSIDE COMMENTS

There is no denying that Australian netball has no shortage of young defensive prospects, and this season of SSN well and truly proved that once more. In the final edition of our Courtside Comments post-season wraps, we delve into the four defenders focused on during the season with Sunday Aryang, Lauren Moore, Kate Eddy and Tara Hinchliffe stepping up their individual games this season. While Eddy technically played majority of the season through the midcourt out in wing defence, she played goal defence during the round which was covered allowing her to slot into this wrap rather than the midcourt edition. While Aryang and Moore tended to come on as impact players, the latter duo in Eddy and Hinchliffe made positions their own and showcased consistent form, racking up the equal-most intercepts (18) of the bunch. Hinchliffe also tops the deflections tally for this group with 50 to her name, though was also the highest penalised player with 137 penalties, 37 ahead of the next highest in Eddy – again mostly due to the two playing significantly more game-time. Aryang, to her credit, showcased major improvements across her outings with 24 deflections and seven intercepts, while Moore’s exciting start to the season saw the defender pick off 28 deflections and 17 intercept in 2020.

Here’s what we had to say:

Sunday Aryang – West Coast Fever (GD/WD/GK)

Courtside Comments: Round 3

By: Sophie Taylor, Draft Central Senior Editor

One of the most exciting young players coming up through the ranks, each time Aryang took the court she elevated her game and consistently proved she was capable of being the gamechanger the West Coast Fever needed this season. Her take-off speed and innate netball know-how allowed her to consistently provide a spark in the Fever backend, while her excellent read of the play and timing saw her find plenty of turnover ball. Able to not only create defensive ploys but also execute exciting plays with her great elevation and quick leap. While the youngster did not make consistent appearances given the form of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis, when Aryang took the court heads turned credit to her constant go-get-it attitude and ability to step up when required.

By: Taylah Melki, Draft Central Managing Editor

The talented Fever defender rocketed into netball fans’ hearts with her stellar netball skills on full display. An unknown quantity heading into the season, Aryang proved she was more than a one-trick pony and most importantly could deliver on the big stage thanks to her clever and clean footwork. More of a spacial defender, Aryang allowed her player to roam freely but lulled them into a false sense of security thanks to her closing speed and rangy arms. She won back a wealth of ball for the Fever, contesting every pass that came her way and was quick to enforce hands over pressure to slow down opposition teams. Her versatility was second to none swinging between goal defence and wing defence in a heartbeat credit to her adaptability and quick thinking nature to shake up her game play on the fly. Aryang starred with her aerial capabilities and general court coverage to not only do the defensive things well but pop up when needed in transition to assist the Fever.

Lauren Moore – NSW Swifts (GD/GK)

Courtside Comments: Round 6

By: Sophie Taylor, Draft Central Senior Editor

Moore had an excellent start to the 2020 season, getting her chance to prove herself on the SSN stage and not skipping a beat over the first few rounds with her tenacity, hunt and willingness to contest every ball. While she was unable to maintain much of her early dominance, somewhat due to the return of Maddy Turner, Moore was an exciting defender when she got going using her long arms to snatch the ball from under attackers’ noses. While it took some time for the typical goal keeper to adjust to goal defence, sometimes seeming out of her depth driving up the midcourt, her impressive leap and great closing speed paid off continuously. Moore used her great footwork to ply her trade across all three defensive positions throughout the season, consistently finding the loose ball and applying pressure down court.

By: Taylah Melki, Draft Central Managing Editor

It was a breakout season for Moore who relished her time out on court albeit in her non-preferred position of goal defence. Moore took each opportunity that came her way, setting the court alight in the opening rounds to take a number of impressive intercepts and stop opposition teams in their tracks. She was a real ball magnet and while she wavered towards the backend of the season became a real impact player, able to burst out of the blocks and shake things up for the Swifts. Sometimes lacking in her drive through the midcourt, Moore made up for it with her constant hustle for the loose ball and defensive nous to drop into the right spot at the right time. 

Kate Eddy – Melbourne Vixens (WD/GD)

Courtside Comments: Round 10

By: Sophie Taylor, Draft Central Senior Editor

Eddy was a key cog for the Vixens throughout the 2020 season, with her versatility playing a huge role in the side’s run to finals. A hugely consistent player with the ability to rotate through all three defensive positions, Eddy’s cleanliness spoke volumes of her great three-foot marking and hands over pressure. Eddy was one of those players that fans could count on to pull something out at a crucial time, while her individual partnership with each of the players around her – both defensively and through the midcourt – allowed the defender to continuously adjust her position and timing to come through and create something out of nothing. Eddy’s adaptability to switch between wing defence and goal defence throughout the season showcased her willingness in the contest, able to play whichever role was required and use her great vision to be a menace both inside and outside the circle.

By: Taylah Melki, Draft Central Managing Editor

With plenty of X-factor at her disposal Eddy enjoyed an impressive season with the Melbourne Vixens despite missing a couple of games with a recurring foot injury. The exciting defender kicked things up a notch in 2020 with her long arms wreaking havoc down back to force turnovers galore. Her one-on-one style defence enabled her to get under the skin of her opponent and wear them down to create chances for her to pounce. She hustled hard for every pass and used her closing speed and footwork to out manoeuvre her opponents and reclaim possession for the Vixens. Eddy’s added versatility was key to the Vixens’ success, able to switch between wing defence and goal defence in a heartbeat and make it look easy. Her footwork around circle edge enabled her to push her opposition high and out of prime feeding position while her drive through the centre third and back-up play on the transverse line allowed the Vixens to reset time and time again.

Tara Hinchliffe – Queensland Firebirds (GK/GD)

Courtside Comments: Round 13

By: Sophie Taylor, Draft Central Senior Editor

While Hinchliffe is a player who is no longer a newbie to the SSN fray, her continued development warranted a Courtside Comments writeup with the defender continuously building off each game and proving she is a consistent player even when she leaves the flair to Kim Jenner out the front.The goal keeper adjusted her penalty count in season 2020 allowing her to stay in play far more and really provide constant pressure on both the ball feeder and her own player, and used her excellent timing to swoop in and create intercepts time and time again. Hinchliffe’s clean hands allow her to rebound with ease and bat the loose ball out of the air, while her timing on the drive and excellent footwork saw the goal keeper provide a constant force to be reckoned with, able to come out of nowhere to clinch the loose ball.

By: Taylah Melki, Draft Central Managing Editor

The goal keeper starred for the Firebirds with her renewed cleanliness allowing her to have a profound impact and win ball back. Hinchliffe is renowned for her attack on the ball and that did not let up throughout the season, attacking the hands of the shooters and pushing them out of their comfort zone to create turnovers. She worked in overdrive to keep her feet moving and rotate around the body of her opponent to keep the feeders guessing. Hinchliffe really solidified her role as the starting goal keeper, able to change up her game style depending on the shooter and adapt on the fly when things were not working accordingly. Her ability to go out hunting and use her closing speed to pull off intercepts and netball smarts to lockdown the goal shooter came to the fore throughout the season highlighting her development across the year. Her lean over the shot and elevation were also prominent features in her game play for the Firebirds.

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Gamechangers – Semi-finals // Preliminary final // Grand final

Post-season – Shooters // Midcourt

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