WHILST the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season was completed last month, the postseason content does not stop with our positional analysis series up next. The final position to look at is wing attack with a couple of internationals and regulars in the Suncorp Super Netball fixture Chelsea Pitman and Liz Watson set to go under the microscope.

Chelsea Pitman

The former Adelaide Thunderbirds co-captain was a real shining light each time she stepped out on court, using her composure to control the flow in the attacking third. An experienced head in a young and developing frontend, Pitman provided an element of stability and consistency, able to ply her trade with her silky footwork and quick hands. She persistently showcased her class to stop on a dime or deliver the ball effectively into the circle from both the pocket or top of the goal circle. She has a big bag of tricks that allows her to keep the defenders guessing when it comes to the way she will release into the goalers credit to her precision with bounce passes, lobs or shoulder passes. Although not the quickest player out on court, Pitman’s ability to see an opening and gun it is second to none while her agility and balance makes her a persistent threat.

Liz Watson

Premiership winning wing attack Watson is in a league of her own able to tear games apart with her decision making and bullet like passes. She often seems to have the ball on a string, weaving her way down the court and is an incredibly strong option around circle edge. Defensively she is also a formidable force renowned for her skill to create turnovers and force deflections as a result of her ball tracking abilities and read of the play. She is explosive inside the attack third able to release the ball from circle edge or down town credit to her confidence and array of talent. Watson is a menace for opposition teams, never far from the contest such is impressive court coverage and prominence. The wing attack is a crucial cog for the Vixens using her change of speed and direction to full effect to keep the opposition on their toes.

Comparison

With experience aplenty and a similar skillset having come up through the Australian pathways, Pitman and Watson possess many corresponding traits however they also have a number of key differences. Both players rely on their ball speed and placement instead of their raw speed to have an impact for their respective sides at both a domestic and international level. Watson and Pitman are real ball magnets that thrive off having the ability to control the flow in the attacking third through their tempo and overall playmaking abilities, not relying on the centre to create forward thrusts. Strength is another key similarity between the two players given their overall physiques and exposure to the highest level of netball possible over the past couple of years.

Both players are imperative when it comes to second phase play, able to come out hard at the centre pass and then drive into the attacking third credit to their vision. Throughout the 2020 SSN season Watson recorded 284 centre pass receives across her 14 games, while Pitman notched up 201 across her 13 appearances showcasing their strong presence and impressive timing. They are often the final pass into the circle for their respective sides, using every last inch of space to their advantage with Watson topping the competition in goal assists thanks to her staggering 365 assists. Although Pitman did not reach the same heights as Watson on the goal assist front amassing 165 that is somewhat reflective of the ladder differential with the Thunderbirds finishing seventh as opposed to the Vixens who walked away with the premiership.

When it comes to differences however, it is fair to say that Watson is more well-rounded, able to do the defensive things well to regain possession for her side. Pitman on the other hand is much more attacking minded and does not rack up the same defensive stats as her counterpart with a mere 12 deflections compared to Watson’s 22.

The Melbourne Vixens star is one of the most reliable and consistent wing attacks in the business, not often outshone by her opponent credit to her impressive tank and game smarts. Watson is a real workhorse who can push into centre when need be but clearly does her most damage when able to solely focus on feeding into the shooters. Comparatively, this move is not something Pitman is renowned for, instead the Thunderbirds veteran is recognised as more of a specialist wing attack who is able to consistently thread the needle. However, she does have the capacity to swing into goal attack when push comes to shove, using her footwork and overall netball smarts to have a presence inside the circle even if she does not put up any shots.