WITH netball done and dusted for the 2020 calendar year, the team at Centre Pass have decided to create a Netball Fantasy 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 and one position will be discussed per episode. The next episode focuses on wing attack as Sophie Taylor, Jarrad Gardner and Taylah Melki explain their selections.

With a plethora of wing attacks to choose from, it was no easy feat for the Centre Pass team as they weighed up a multitude of factors such as centre pass receives, feeds and goal assists while also contemplating the way in which they will connect with their already chosen centres.

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

Picks:

1^st Taylah – Liz Watson
2^nd Sophie – Madi Browne
3^rd Jarrad – Gina Crampton

Liz Watson:

Arguably the number one wing attack in the world it was hard to go past the services of Liz Watson who has been a staple hold for both the Vixens and Diamonds since stepping out on court. She is nothing short of consistent able to hit circle edge, time and time again while her overall netball nous is unmatched. A workhorse through the attacking third, Watson is a real general able to set the tone and dictate the play with her precise ball movement, strength around circle edge and overall dominance. She is a smooth mover who boasts a wealth of endurance as shown through her capacity to swing into centre when required. Her footwork is impeccable while her strength is unrivalled able to muscle her way through the contest and deliver at a high rate.

2020 statistics:

284 centre pass receives, 367 goal assists, 22 deflections

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Madi Browne:

Boasting an array of talents, one thing Browne is renowned for is her ability to thread the needle – often showcasing her skill to deliver the ball with great precision even when afforded an inch of space. She is a real playmaker, able to dictate the attacking forays with her change of speed and dynamism to light up the court. Browne utilises her quick hands to give and go around circle edge while her footwork is electric, able to dance around her opponent time and time again. she oozes nothing but experience and class while her vision into the circle is also impressive. Strong in attack, Browne also has a strong defensive presence with her overall court coverage and hands over pressure making her an easy selection for Sophie’s side.

2020 statistics: *only played seven games due to injury

30 centre pass receives, 82 goal assists, nine deflections

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Gina Crampton

The only New Zealander chosen in wing attack, Crampton is a traditional wing attack who boasts a wealth of composure with ball in hand. She is not often worried out of the contest and instead backs herself to stand up and absorb the hit, credit to her strength and balance. Crampton is a cool and calm customer who works the ball down to circle edge with her clever movement in the attacking third allowing her to open up space and dish off passes into the circle. She is a strong presence at the centre pass with her timing impressive while her smarts to not blaze away and bomb it long into the goal circle is another key feature of her game play. The now Northern Stars representative and Silver Fern midcourter is as consistent as they come using her drives and dodges to pop out at the right time and receive the ball.

2020 statistics:
319 centre pass receives, 434 feeds, seven deflections

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Wing attack is a highly integral role as it is often the final link into the goalers under the post. It is often the role of the wing attack to weave the ball down court and get involved in the second phase play to allow the shooters to drop back into the circle and get in a commanding position to score. The wing attack is often that calming presence in the attacking third that dictates the pace of the game and the method they approach whether it be a short and sharp game plan or long bomb into the circle. All three players chosen ooze a wealth of experience both at a domestic and international level while one of the most interesting features is that while all three may not boast elite speed, they all have an ability to turn on the jets and zip down the court. Crampton, Browne and Watson are all very cautious with ball in hand and are renowned for their low turnover rates along with their strength around circle edge to muscle up against some of the bigger bodied defenders.

The attacking third is starting to take shape with centre, goal shooter and now wing attack positions filled. To catch up on the previous discussion surrounding the team’s selection, go back and listen to the episodes below.

Centre
Goal shooter

Click here for the latest episode: Wing attack