WITH netball done and dusted for 2020, the Centre Pass Podcast team has decided to create a Fantasy Netball Draft that includes a series of mini-podcasts delving into the reasoning behind player selections. Following suit with the extended benches in Suncorp Super Netball and given the high calibre of players to choose from, each person will have a 12 player roster to fill out and one player each per position will be selected and discussed each episode. The next instalment looks at the goal shooters chosen as Sophie Taylor, Jarrad Gardner and Taylah Melki explain their selections, with picks eligible from across the netball world and not limited to Suncorp Super Netball players.

Picks:

1st Jhaniele Fowler
2nd Cara Koenen
3rd Maia Wilson

The goal shooter position has an abundance of stars that boast accuracy and height. A number of young guns have made their way into the respective sides showcasing the depth of goal shooters across the world while a fan favourite and leading goal scorer in the Suncorp Super Netball also got the nod.

The statistics included reflect the last full season each respective player played in, not including any international commitments.

Jhaniele Fowler:

It is hard to go past the services of Jhaniele Fowler with the goal shooter a highly talented player that is able to ply her trade effectively under the post. there is no denying that Fowler is arguably one of the best shooters in the Super Netball able to consistently find the ring and put up an impressive 50 shots a game give or take. Although she might not be the most versatile player her sheer strength and height enables her to command the space in the goal circle and dictate the play around her. Fowler boasts an exceptionally high netball IQ using every inch of space to her advantage with her balance another key element in her game play. Her long limbs and athleticism makes her hard to stop when she gets going able to turn herself inside out and reel in the high balls and then convert such is her talent. Her rebounding skill is another monumental aspect of her game play, positioning well to block out the defenders and create opportunities for herself.

2020 stats:

965 goals (94 per cent), 14 super shots (39 per cent), 68 rebounds

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Cara Koenen:

Although not the most prominent, nor established player, Konenen is one of those players that can change the course of a game in an instant. Her smooth movement inside of the goal circle is poetry in motion able to pop out at the right time and receive the pass. Her range has steadily increased with the goaler confident to back herself from midrange. Koenen has an innate ability to glide across the court and does some of her best damage along the baseline with her fancy footwork and dodges all coming into play. The 24-year-old can play both the role of a holding or moving shooter such is her netball nous to shakeup her game play accordingly and have a profound impact either way. Her height and added versatility also made her an easy option to choose as she can push out to goal attack seamlessly and ply her trade in an attacking capacity down the court.

2020 stats:

491 goals (89 per cent), 4 super shots (33 per cent), 36 rebounds

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Maia Wilson:

There is no denying that Wilson has completely elevated her game throughout not only the 2020 ANZ Premiership season but so too throughout the Cadbury season, making her an easy selection for Sophie. Boasting an impressive range inside the goal circle Wilson is one of those players that when she is on there is no stopping her and can produce at a high rate. Her accuracy is impressive whether she is under the post or on the perimeter while her footwork is second to none able to dance around her opponent with great ease. Similar to that of Koenen, Wilson can swing between that holding goal shooter or moving goaler role credit to her endurance and overall netball smarts to diversify her game depending on the defender. Her rebounding skill is another pivotal element in the way she approaches the game able to body up on her opponent and block them out of the contest and reel in any errant shots.

2020 stats:

461 goals (90 per cent), 19 rebounds

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The goal shooter position is a crucial role in any team as nine times out of ten they are the prominent shooter for the respective side. They are often the first player a team looks to when it comes to setting up defensive plays as they look to shut down their movement inside the goal circle and reduce their influence on the scoreboard. All three players chosen have varying styles when out on court but boast one glaringly obvious similarity and that is accuracy which is incredibly vital for success. Koenen and Wilson have the capacity to switch out to goal attack when needed and although Fowler may not boast that type of versatility her dominance under the post enables her to park herself inside the goal circle and go about her business in convincing fashion.

Tune in to hear the full explanation surrounding our selections, the alternative selections considered and who could still be picked up when we get to the bench.

Full episode: Goal shooter