ROUND 12 of Suncorp Super Netball sparked plenty of interest with only the West Coast Fever and GIANTS unable to secure a player in Draft Central’s Team of the Week. All six other clubs had players nominated in the side with the Collingwood Magpies, Melbourne Vixens, Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning all registering two players apiece.

GK: Shamera Sterling (Adelaide Thunderbirds)

The Adelaide Thunderbirds keeper left her mark on the game racking up seven gains, five intercepts and four deflections. Sterling put in the hard yards throughout the match pushing Romelda Aiken up high and contesting every ball that came her way. She showcased her aerial skill to get timely deflections while cleanly getting around the body of her opponent and regain possession. Sterling paired well with both Kate Shimmin and Shadine Van der Merwe to stop easy access into the circle and cause doubt in the feeders mind.

GD: Karla Pretorius (Sunshine Coast Lightning)

It was another Pretorius special in Round 12 with the goal defence pulling out all the stops to finish with a whopping seven gains, three intercepts, seven deflections and four rebounds. However, it was her third term performance that gifted her another Team of the Week nomination with the tenacious goal defence picking up three gains, one intercept, two deflections and two rebounds. Her work with teammate Phumza Maweni impressed throughout the match with the two causing confusion in the circle and forcing turnovers. Pretorius was clean with ball in hand not registering a single general play turnover while showcasing her sheer athleticism and silky footwork.

WD: Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds)

The Firebirds captain oozed class and composure with ball in hand working hard through the midcourt to transition the ball down into the attacking third. Simpson stood up down in defence credit to her hands over pressure, quick footwork and ability to force turnovers. The wing defence covered her opponents every move, pushing her wide while also showcasing her speed and ability to read the play picking up six gains, three intercepts and seven deflections.

C: Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies)

In her new found position Ash Brazill made no mistake relishing the extra space and using her aerial skills to her full advantage. Although she struggled in the first term, as the game went on Brazill found good space in the attacking third hitting the circle edge with speed and precision. While her work in attack was impressive amassing 17 goal assists credit to her clever ball placement and varied passes into Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst her defensive pressure was equally as impressive with three gains, five deflections and one intercept.

WA: Laura Scherian (Sunshine Coast Lightning)

The Sunshine Coast Lightning wing attack owned the attacking third commanding the ball and using her speed to zip around the court. Scherian displayed her quick hands and footwork to tussle for prime position on the circle edge amassing a game high 21 goal assists. She did a wealth of work at the centre pass with 27 receives showcasing her dynamic movement and vision to break into space.

GA: Nat Medhurst (Collingwood Magpies)

After spending the first quarter on the bench Medhurst came out with a point to prove. The Collingwood goal attack had an immediate impact in the attacking third opening up space and driving hard across the court to leave Nelson alone under the post. Medhurst showcased her dynamic movement, speed and precision ball placement throughout the match. She did a wealth of work out the front to bring the ball down while also displaying her ability to turn and shoot slotting 14 goals from 17 attempts at 82 per cent. She was a key cog in the Collingwood attack racking up 11 goal assists while also treasuring possession not registering a single turnover.

GS: Sam Wallace (NSW Swifts)

The NSW Swifts goal shooter has continued to go from strength to strength and she did not disappoint under the post once again nailing 45 goals from 49 attempts. Wallace shouldered majority of the load for the Swifts making the most of her opportunities under the post while also gobbling up three rebounds credit to her strength and clever body positioning. She showcased plenty of composure and skill in the goal circle to command the ball and hold strong. Her clever timing and ability to get on the move made her hard to stop for the Vixens defenders allowing her to run rabid in the attacking third.

BENCH: Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens), Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens), Maria Folau (Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Unlucky to make it into the starting seven all three players displayed their ability to hold their own and leave an impact on the game. Although the Melbourne Vixens failed to get the win over the Swifts both Jo Weston and Liz Watson showcased their class and experience across four quarters. Weston applied strong hands over pressure working hard to limit her opponents influence picking up six gains, three intercepts, three deflections and three rebounds credit to her strength. The Melbourne Vixens wing attack did a wealth of work at the transverse line with a team-high 27 centre pass receives. Watson was lethal around the circle edge with her pinpoint and cleverly weighted feeds into the circle second to none racking up 26 goal assists. In the goal circle Maria Folau left her mark only missing three goals for the game with 35 from 38 attempts at 92 per cent. Folau was a real playmaker in the attacking third for the Thunderbirds credit to her clever movement and showed that she was not afraid to back herself from range.