IT is 100 days to go until the start of the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season, so to celebrate, Rookie Me Central tries to predict what the Round 1 starting 7s would be for each of the eight clubs.

Adelaide Thunderbirds

GS: Romelda Aiken-George
GA: Georgie Horjus
WA: Laura Scherian
C: Tayla Williams
WD: Latanya Wilson
GD: Matilda Garrett
GK: Shamera Sterling
I/C: Lauren Frew, Lucy Austin, Hannah Petty

Explanation

Even though they are the reigning champions, the Thunderbirds have lost some big names in the off-season so will be a very different looking side in 2024.

In attack, their most effective shooting combination was a tall, mobile goal shooter paired with a quick and agile goal attack, which is why Horjus is at goal attack instead of wing attack.

With a specialist attacking mid courter in Scherian coming into the line up, it frees up Horjus to play shooter more often.

In defence, as the 2023 season progressed the Thunderbirds had a lot of success with Wilson out at wing defence and Garett at goal keeper, so it makes sense that they would start 2024 with that combination.

GIANTS Netball

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Samantha Winders
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Matilda McDonell
I/C: Matisse Letherbarrow, Erin O’Brien, Amy Sligar

Explanation

Although the GIANTS have had a few key departures in the offseason, they are still a pretty stable side.

Harten and Dwyer have been their go-to starting shooters for a long time and have formed a strong partnership, but Letherbarrow can easily jump in and hold her own, and she may have to if Harten’s injury problems continue.

Their defence is where the most change to their starting seven is likely. Although Winders has been more of an attacking mid courter in recent times, with such a rock solid wing attack and centre combination already in the side, she may have to transition to wing defence, but her tenacity should mean the transition will not be difficult. She is also more likely to start over some over options because she brings so much experience, and the GIANTS would not have brought her in to just sit on the bench.

Ward is also likely to get a starting spot straight away thanks to experience and the fact she is coming off a break out season in 2023.

Queensland Firebirds

GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Tippah Dwan
WA: Hulita Veve
C: Macy Gardner
WD: Kim Ravaillion
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Remi Kamo
I/C: Emily Moore, Isabelle Shearer, Lara Dunkley

Explanation

The Firebirds are another side that will look very different in 2024 compared to what we saw in 2023.

The shooting end is one area they really struggled with in 2023, and it seemed clear that they struggled to find the perfect combination down there. Wallam provides a strong, tall target at shooter, and with Dwan coming back in she provides the speed and agility necessary out front.

The midcourt is the area where it is least obvious how they will line up. There are plenty of combinations they could go with, but ultimately the Veve/Gardiner/Ravaillion combination provides the best combination of both excitement and reliability in a combination.

The defence end is not likely to see any change from 2023. Bakewell-Doran and Kamo are building a very strong partnership and that will likely continue in 2024.

Melbourne Mavericks

GS: Eleanor Cardwell
GA: Sasha Glasgow
WA: Tayla Fraser
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: Lauren Moore
GK: Olivia Lewis
I/C: Maisie Nankivell, Gabby Sinclair, Kim Jenner

Explanation

For a team coming into their first season like the Mavericks, experience and existing partnerships/combinations are more important than they are for other teams.

Cardwell and Glasgow are building something strong at international level, so watch out for that to translate to domestic level. Sinclair is likely to be used as an impact player late in quarters, particularly with her Super Shot abilities.

The existing partnerships are not as prevalent in the Mavericks’ midcourt, but experience and expertise in specific positions is likely to play a bigger part. Fraser, Jovic and Parmenter have all been one position players for some time, and there is a reason for that.

The defence is the least certain area of their starting seven. Moore could become the starting goal defence thanks to her work with Parmenter at the Giants, but Jenner could just as easily start, particularly with her height and how tall the Vixens’ (their Round 1 opponent) attacking end is.