THE 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season was always set to produce some huge performances and different stories to last year, and with six rounds down it is clear that there are some great developing talents and returning players who have really stepped up this season.

Across the board, it is safe to say there has been much more trust in young Australians out on court since last season with a number of developing talents earning more court time this season and proving they are more than capable of holding up out on court. Most notably this season, Sophie Dwyer has stepped up to the occasion following Kiera Austin‘s season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and rarely falters looking to the post. The 19-year-old does not look out of place on court for the GIANTS, and appeared to settle into the action from the get-go with ease. Another first year goaler in Rahni Samason also has not looked out of place despite playing out of position in goal attack, although with just two matches to her name compared to Dwyer’s six, she still needs a few more weeks to really showcase what she is capable of. Injury replacement Hannah Mundy started slow but is starting to really hone her craft in wing attack for the Vixens, coming from a centre/wing defence background and proving shaky early but slowly becoming more sure of herself out the front – generating some likeness to mother and Australian Diamonds great, Shelley O’Donnell as she looks to put her best foot forward in the absence of Liz Watson.

Looking toward players who have provided more of an impact role in the past, and the likes of Tayla Fraser, Tilly Garrett and Sunday Aryang come to mind, with all three players seeing much more court time in 2021. Fraser’s form has never been in doubt, but more so the lack of starting position afforded by the NSW Swifts, with the agile and exciting wing attack a real livewire. Having proved herself in patches across the past few seasons, Fraser has stepped up again this season to provide a consistent impact role, continually acting as that “secret weapon” that the 2019 premiers have in their arsenal. For Garrett, it has been years stood behind Geva Mentor, April Brandley and last year, Jodi-Ann Ward, that finally sees the talented defender really get a chance to prove herself in 2021. The goal defender has become one of the Thunderbirds’ most consistent players this season credit to her endurance and ability to read the play, proving she is more than capable of holding down that starting spot. For Aryang, it has been a matter of lifting her work rate to play out a full four quarters after stepping up from a training partner role last season, and the exciting youngster has proven time and time again that she can do just that. The explosive defender rarely skips a beat on court and is never far away from the contest, with her speed, aerial ability and acceleration paramount through the Fever defensive end.

Two more Victorians in Jacqui Newton and Sam Gooden are finding success elsewhere, with Newton jumping ship to the Magpies this season and showcasing her clean hands and ball hunting ability on multiple occasions this season. While Gooden is still providing an impact role for the Thunderbirds, she has proved to be much more consistent than her shaky amounts of court time have allowed her in past seasons, with her work rate and willingness to shoot from range crucial for the Adelaide-based side. While not a huge surprise given she held down a starting spot before an untimely injury, Sasha Glasgow‘s return to peak form has been exciting to say the least, with the goaler making the switch to the West Coast Fever over the off-season, and has since well and truly earned the starting goal attack position despite beginning her career in goal shooter. The accurate goaler just does not stop, with an excellent attitude, seeming to be really enjoying her netball so far this year, and most importantly, her willingness to go to post from anywhere in the circle is testament to her confidence regardless of whether the super shot period is in play. Kate Shimmin is another who made the change over the off-season and has not skipped a beat since heading up to the Sunshine Coast, with many expecting the goal keeper to sit on the bench. Instead, the lanky defender has adjusted her play style to be more versatile and play across a variety of defensive positions, proving to be a real shaker in the defensive end.

Looking to returnees, and realistically there is not much surprise in who has stepped up, but instead in just how easily they have made it back to peak performance. Brandley is perhaps the least commended of the few, having returned following pregnancy midway through the 2020 season, but has stepped up to another level in 2021 with her renewed hunt on the ball and ability to front up to the contest. The former Diamond has continuously provided a hefty barricade for the GIANTS out in goal defence this season, and has consistently earned court time across the first six rounds, finding plenty of turnover ball. Another former Diamond in Kim Ravaillion appears to have returned to her peak form, with the centre shaky prior to taking a season off with pregnancy last year, but has come back with the Queensland Firebirds better than ever in 2021 with her fitness and endurance making her hard to stop once she gets going. Another returning Firebird in Gretel Bueta has not skipped a beat since giving birth in early January, with consistent court time across all six of the side’s outings showcasing just how well Bueta has re-adjusted to the netball court. Highly athletic and willing to contest every ball, Bueta’s high-pressure game style has fit back well with the Firebirds and Ravaillion this season.

Picture credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images