CONTINUING on from the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN), postseason content, Draft Central has decided to broaden the horizons for the upcoming positional analysis series taking into account players from other competitions such as the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) and ANZ Premiership. The first position to go under the microscope is the goal shooter slot in New Zealander Maia Wilson and experienced Roses campaigner Rachel Dunn who compete in their respective home country leagues.

Maia Wilson

The ever-evolving Wilson has proven to be a star in her own right with her increased movement and range coming to the fore. Somewhat criticised for her one dimensional style of play to start out her career, Wilson has steadily built upon that repertoire to play both roles a holding and moving shooter making her incredibly hard to stop when she gets going. Strong in the body, she is not often pushed out of the contest and uses her nifty footwork to dance around her opponent and claim prime position as shown throughout the ANZ Premiership season and international series. Wilson can shoulder the load herself able to pile on 40-plus goals a game without her accuracy waiving credit to her all round impressive nature. She is not afraid to back herself from range and is strong on the rebound credit to her nifty footwork and high netball IQ to box out her defenders. Wilson is a constant option under the post while also impressing with her ability to drive out of the circle and present to allow the attack end to reset. Her slimmer frame and increased endurance really starred throughout her 2020 campaign not tiring as easily and absorbing the physicality to deliver under the post and steer the ship for her side.

Rachel Dunn

One of the most experienced goalers going round, Dunn is a cool, calm and collected customer that uses her netball smarts to her full advantage. Not overly tall, she relies on her netball nous and body positioning to create havoc in the goal circle and be a constant threat. Her range is impressive as is her ability to score at a high rate. Dunn is a consistent figure that put outs a solid four quarter performance each time she steps out on court and has only gotten better with age. Although she might not be the flashiest player on court it is her innate ability to sense the moment and stand up that makes her integral for any team she plays for. Another key component of Dunn’s style is her timing, she is somewhat renowned for her ability to pop out in the dying seconds along the baseline while her overall balance is also impressive, using her twinkle toes to reel passes in or stay in play.

Comparison

The two players are up opposite ends of the experience scale with Dunn coming in at the ripe age of 38 while Wilson has just turned 23 this year. A 15 year age gap separates the two and that can be shown to a certain extent though their on-court performance with Dunn able to work her way back into contests when found out while Wilson can sometimes fade into the background.

Another key difference between the two players is the way in which they approach the game. Although Wilson is a taller albeit by point five of a centimetre they play vastly different styles with the New Zealand making full use of her 187.5cm frame and reeling in the high balls. Dunn on the other hand utilises the back space and thrives off passes looping into an area she is holding strong in rather than hurling herself at a high pass. Wilson’s evolution as a goal shooter has also allowed her to build up her tank and become a more versatile option under the post able to body up on her opponent or get on the move to create some space. There is no denying that Dunn has the skillset to replicate the same game plan however, the England Roses star is much more accustomed to her hold and deliver system under the post that has worked so well throughout her career.

Wilson is able to move out to goal attack albeit on limited minutes showcasing her attacking nous and overall smarts to position at the line or drag a defender out from under the goal circle highlighting another key difference in the way the two internationals play. Dunn is a smooth mover that does not need to do too much in the way of ground work credit to her nifty footwork, strong holds and body positioning allowing her to clearly indicate where she wants the ball.

Accuracy is not an issue for either goaler with Wilson sitting at 90 per cent for the ANZ Premiership season sinking 461 goals from 513 attempts. Despite her unconventional shooting style Dunn is able to drain them from long range or under the post and while she was not able to fully show that given the VNSL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic she still managed 158 goals from 170 attempts at a staggering 93 per cent.