DESPITE a slow start to the season, the Sunshine Coast Lightning have bounced back to be one of the most dominant sides at the midway point of the season. Only dropping two games in the first nine rounds, Lightning have found their footing with strong options and connections across the court. Lightning are also the only team to have not played in a draw this season, proving their ability to close out games despite pressure from opposition.

Ladder: 2nd
Win-loss: 7-2-0
Percentage: 113.23%
Bonus points: 22

Overview:

The Lightning’s continued dominance in the Suncorp Super Netball in 2019 comes down to the stellar coaching of Noeline Taurua and the side’s innate ability to pick up on and iron out issues across the court. While the side had a hiccup to start the season, going down to the Magpies by 14 goals in Round 1, the side bounced back in Round 2 to post 80 goals in an equal record and stamp their dominance and authority on the competition. With a mix of experience across the court, Taurua’s side has proven they can get the job done against majority of their opposition, even sinking early premiership contenders, NSW Swifts by two goals in Round 4 to prove they can match with the best.

Surprises:

The biggest surprise this season for the Lightning is surely the continued dominance of the side after last season, despite losing big names across key positions on the court. But while Geva Mentor, Caitlin Bassett and Kelsey Browne were dominant in their own right, Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni have slotted into the lineup well to bookend the court while Laura Langman has rejoined the side without skipping a beat, using her speed and experience to propel her side to victory time and time again. Langman’s return has sparked connection across the court, while Laura Scherian has slotted well into her reduced role in wing attack after spending 2018 in centre.

Improvements:

When talking about improvements this season, you cannot go past the exciting connection of Maweni, Karla Pretorius and Madeline McCauliffe as a defensive unit. While Pretorius and Maweni are excitement machines, it is the influence of McAuliffe keeping her opposition quiet that allows the circle defenders to hunt the ball with the tenacity they do. While Maweni still racks up possibly more penalties than can be afforded, her adaptability since the early rounds of the season is commendable, cleaning up her act well and doing a consistent job in defence. The side has struggled through the midcourt when the middle passage of the court is blocked, so the side will likely focus on creating other options through the centre third to finish well after the break.

Expectations:

Lightning have a lot of weight on their shoulders if they want to go three from three in SSN titles, so will need to keep up the consistency after the break to go all the way.