IT is time for part two of Rookie Me Cantral’s 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Round 1 starting 7 predictions. If you missed part one of this prediction series, click here.

Melbourne Vixens

GS: Sophie Garbin
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Hannah Mundy
C: Kate Moloney
WD: Kate Eddy
GD: Jo Weston
GK: Emily Mannix
I/C: Zara Walters, Mwai Kumwenda, Rudi Ellis

Explanation

The Vixens lost a massive name out of their midcourt in the offseason, but for the most part kept their 2023 squad together.

Simone McKinnis and her coaching team are going to have some headaches in the shooting end, but will ultimately go for the future and the Diamonds pair in Garbin and Austin. Kumwenda should still get plenty of court time, but did struggle at times last season.

The midcourt should see experience and stability favoured. Mundy can easily slip straight into the vacant wing attack role and proved that last season, but can easily swap around with Moloney if need be.

Experience and stability should also be favoured in defence, with the reliable pair of Weston and Mannix likely to be the starting pair.

NSW Swifts

GS: Sophie Fawns
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Maddy Proud
C: Paige Hadley
WD: Allie Smith
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau
I/C: Sam Wallace, Teigan O’Shannassy, Lili Gorman-Brown

Explanation

Much like the Vixens, the Swifts kept the vast majority of their squad together and so there should not be too much change to their starting line-up.

In the shooting end it will likely be Fawns and Housby that is the starting combination as Wallace is coming back from two years on the sidelines, so will not be rushed back into the starting line-up.

With Smith back from the injuries that hampered the back end of her 2023, she will likely jump straight back into the starting line up, but Gorman-Brown could just as easily start.

Meanwhile in defence, Turner and Klau are by far the strongest combination, so they will likely start.

Sunshine Coast Lightning

GS: Cara Koenen
GA: Steph Fretwell
WA: Mahalia Cassidy
C: Liz Watson
WD: Ava Black
GD: Ash Ervin
GK: Courtney Bruce
I/C: Reilley Batcheldor, Tara Hinchliffe, Leesa Mi Mi

Explanation

It will be a bit of a new look Lightning line up in 2024, but their starting line up may be dictated by things out of their control. With two of their 10 coming back from ACL injuries, that may play a part in how their starting shooting and defence combination looks.

Regardless, with the up until recent Diamonds’ shooting combination in their lin-up, it was unlikely that their starting shooters were not going to be Koenen and Fretwell anyway.

In defence, with someone of Bruce’s talent coming in, she was always going to get a starting spot, and she will combine with Ervin, who proved in her debut year in 2023 how she can be.

West Coast Fever

GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Shanice Beckford
WA: Alice Teague-Neeld
C: Kelsey Browne
WD: Jessica Anstiss
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Fran Williams
I/C: Olivia Wilkinson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jordan Cransberg

Explanation

There will be some key changes to the Fever’s previously pretty set starting line-up, but for the most part, will be the same.

In the shooting circle, Fowler needs a new partner, and with Wilkinson brand new to SSN, Beckford is likely to get that starting goal attack slot, thanks also to the fact that Fowler and Beckford are Jamaican teammates.

The midcourt should be pretty stable too, as Browne should get the starting slot over the much less experienced Cransberg.

Defence is where the headaches really come for Dan Ryan and his coaches. They have three international level defenders, but thanks to their favoured gamstyle, they will favour the more quick and agile Aryang and Williams. However, Dehaney should still get plenty of game time.