WITH Round 1 of the Suncorp Super Netball set to commence with a double header in Melbourne this weekend, there is plenty of excitement brewing. All sides will be wanting to assert their dominance early on and show they can mix it with the best.

Melbourne Vixens v. Queensland Firebirds

The Melbourne Vixens are clear frontrunners coming into the 2019 season boasting an impressive line-up filled with Diamonds representatives. The Firebirds also have class across the court with Gretel Tippett a dynamic and dominant force in the attack end, making for an exciting clash to kick start the first of the double headers.

With experience and class right across the court the Melbourne Vixens will be hoping to get their first win of the season. They have recruited star shooter, Caitlin Thwaites who will pose a threat in the goal circle credit to her accuracy to post, clever movement and sheer dominance on the take. The connection between Ine-Mari Venter and Tegan Philip is quickly forming and if they are unable to be stopped the three could combine for a big total. Defensively, Jo Weston and Emily Mannix know each other’s game inside out, while Kadie-Ann Dehaney proved she deserves more court time after Mannix was ruled out with injury last season. Dehaney has the ability to put a lot of pressure on the receiver despite her lanky frame, credit to her ability to read the play and ball in the air.

The Queensland Firebirds have maintained a similar line-up, having only lost goal keeper, Laura Geitz over the off-season. Queensland have plenty of youth in their defensive end, with Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe dazzling with their strong pressure and ability to take big intercepts. However, with an undermanned defence and exceptional shooting power the Vixens could exploit their vulnerabilities and make them pay in attack. Up the other end, the Firebirds have a dynamic duo with Tippett and Romelda Aiken unstoppable when they are on song. Both can break the game wide open with their sheer athleticism, class and netball smarts, making for an exciting contest against the more traditional style of defence in Mannix and Weston.

Collingwood Magpies v. Sunshine Coast Lightning

In what could quite easily be the match of the round the two-time premiers Sunshine Coast Lightning are set to face off against the Magpies, who come in hot favourites after an impressive preseason. Both sides are set to unveil some new faces and connections, with Collingwood securing a few of the Lightning’s marquee players.

The Magpies were inconsistent last year, unable to string together a solid four quarter performance for most of the season, but with some new big names they have the potential to become premiership contenders. It will be the first time Geva Mentor and Kelsey Browne play their old team, so the pair will want to make sure that they bring their A-game. Mentor is expected to start with her impressive defensive pressure, impeccable timing and clever gameplay a feature of her game. Up the other end, youngster Shimona Nelson has plenty to offer with her athleticism and accuracy under the post. She will be alongside veteran, Nat Medhurst who oozes class with ball in hand and is not afraid to take the hard drive into the circle to draw the attention of the defenders. With co-captain Madi Browne unavailable due to a knee injury, expect speedster and sister, Browne to slot straight into the wing attack position and pair well with gut running centre, Kim Ravaillion.

The Lightning have brought back New Zealand superstar, Laura Langman who will be a real general through the midcourt with her drive and speed tearing teams apart. New recruit, goal keeper Phumza Maweni, will combine well in defence with her South African counterpart, Karla Pretorius. Both are renowned for their physicality and aggressive hunt for the ball. Expect Ugandan recruit, Peace Proscovia to start for the Lightning, with the shooter providing a good target under the post. Given the defensive prowess of the Magpies, the new-look circle connection between Steph Wood and Proscovia will be tested.

GIANTS Netball v. NSW Swifts

In the first derby battle of the season, both sides will be hoping to flex their muscles and come out victorious. The Swifts have a relatively unchanged lineup but the GIANTS have lost a few star players along the way with Susan Petitt and Bec Bulley retiring.

The GIANTS will be looking to find that dynamism through the midcourt in the absence of star centre, Serena Guthrie who has returned to the English league in 2019. In Guthrie’s absence it will be up to Amy Parmenter to do all the two-way running and use her attacking flair to capitalise. All eyes will turn to the new look goal circle, with Caitlin Bassett and Jo Harten both set to pull on the bib for the GIANTS. The Australian Diamonds captain will offer a great target under the post with her height, strong holds and accuracy.

The Swifts claimed some surprise wins last season and will be hoping to kick-start their campaign this year with a big victory. They don a very similar line-up to last year, allowing the connections down the court to continue to develop especially between youngster, Sophie Garbin and her shooting counterparts in Sam Wallace and Helen Housby. The attack end boasts plenty of excitement with Natalie Haythornthwaite also prolific with her feeds and drives to the top of the circle, making for an exciting match-up between her and GIANTS wing defence, Jamie-Lee Price.

Adelaide Thunderbirds v. West Coast Fever

The Adelaide Thunderbirds have a new look team with plenty of fresh faces at the club set to make their debut. After failing to win a game last season, the Thunderbirds will be hoping to put their critics to bed and show that they have the talent to take home the win. On the other hand, the Fever will be ruing their missed opportunity to secure their first premiership after falling to the Lightning in the grand final. West Coast come in to Round 1 with a relatively unchanged line-up, with the biggest loss that of playmaker goal attack Nat Medhurst.

The Thunderbirds recruited well over the off-season, securing New Zealand shooting powerhouse, Maria Folau who is renowned for her long bombs and smooth movement across the court. They struggled in the attack end last season, but her inclusion in the side will bring plenty of excitement when paired with youngsters, Sasha Glasgow and Cody Lange. Their defensive stocks have also been handed a handy boost with young Jamaican, Shamera Sterling pulling on the dress for Thunderbirds for the first time in Suncorp Super Netball. The talented defender offers plenty of athleticism and is a raw talent many are keen to watch develop over her tenure with the Thunderbirds. England Roses recruit, Layla Guscoth will also pose a threat in defence with her quick feet and tagging style of pressure making for a highly anticipated last game of the round.

Sterling will be up against Jamaican teammate and Fever goal shooter, Jhaniele Fowler which will provide plenty of entertainment. Fowler is prolific under the post, strong in the air and commands her space making her an ideal target in the circle. She will have a new shooting partner this year with Alice Teague-Neeld coming to the club, while Kaylia Stanton is also a possibility to move out into goal attack. The new combinations may take time to get used to and allow for the Thunderbirds to capitalise in defence. Through the midcourt, Verity Charles, Ingrid Colyer and Jess Anstiss all combine exceptionally well, playing off each other and using their speed and precision to break the game apart.

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