IT has been a big week of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) action as a couple of familiar faces found new homes while question marks circulate the future of some young up and coming players. With three weeks still to play of the trade period the possibilities are endless as teams tinker with their sides and formulate a squad to attack the 2021 season.

Kate Shimmin

2020 club: Adelaide Thunderbirds

As arguably the heart and soul of the Thunderbirds, many were shocked when the highly talented defender was let go at the end of the season. Her injection into the game often set the court alight, able to use her vertical leap to get hands to ball and hunt the ball with great ease. Although she did not get a consistent amount of court time, when she did pull on the goal keeper or goal defence bib, Shimmin left no stone unturned.

But when one door closes, another opens and that is exactly the case for Shimmin with the 28-year-old joining Sunshine Coast Lightning for 2021. She will complement the likes of Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni down back and is a viable option to bring on if things are not falling their way. She boasts a wealth of experience and class and is a real impact player which will benefit the Lightning who at times struggled to get going and impose their normal defensive style this season.

“Kate will work with our defensive end superbly and push them to be even better which is what I am most excited by,” Lightning coach Kylee Byrne said.

“Lightning are a club who have been so successful in the Suncorp Super Netball league and I’m excited to be playing and training alongside an elite group of athletes who I’ve always had so much respect for,” Shimmin said.

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Sasha Glasgow

2020 club: Adelaide Thunderbirds

Announcing that she wanted to explore her free agency options after spending the last couple of years with the Thunderbirds, Glasgow has found a new home with West Coast Fever in 2021. Sitting behind the likes of South African sharpshooter Lenize Potgieter and returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in 2019, Glasgow only had limited court time. She often found herself out in the unfamiliar position of goal attack but that did not faze her, able to effectively ply her trade with her relative accuracy to post and silky footwork on show.

She will be a great acquisition to the Fever side in 2021 and could provide that supplementary option to Alice Teague-Neeld when needed. Glasgow is strong on the rebound, although those skills may not be as actively required as before given the services of Jhaniele Fowler under the post. Glasgow reads the play well and is not afraid to take that hard drive along the baseline.

“Sasha is an exciting young talent who has proven her versatility across both the goal shooter and goal attack position at SSN level,” Stacey Marinkovich said. “She utilises a good variation of attributes when coming up against experienced defenders and I am looking forward to seeing how we can develop and challenge Sasha both on and off the court.”

“I’m so excited, I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Fever team, the girls have got such a great culture and obviously Stacey really drives that. I’m really honoured to be a part of it and put on the green next year.” Glasgow said.

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Matilda Garrett

2020 club: Collingwood Magpies

The decision to not sign young up and coming defender Garrett surprised many with the goal defence really taking a step up in her defensive craft throughout the 2020 SSN season. her improved court coverage, hands over pressure and tenacity were all crucial to the Pies line-up. A budding young talent named in the Australian Diamonds Development Squad, Garrett offers a wealth of excitement and ball winning capabilities. Her combination with Geva Mentor and Jodi-Ann Ward steadily developed throughout the season to build pressure and reclaim possession in what was a trying season for Collingwood.

It is unknown where the 22-year-old will end up in 2021 given how quickly squads are filling up, but whichever team ends up with her will enjoy the fruits of her hard work and gritty on-court determination.

“Tilly has been a valued member of Collingwood and we have seen great growth in her game and as an individual during her four years at the club,” Jane Woodlands-Thompson said. “The decision to let Tilly go was not made lightly, she is proving to develop into one of netball’s best young talents.

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Kalifa McCollin

2020 club: Southern Steel (ANZ Premiership)

Collingwood took a big leap to secure the services of McCollin with the Trinidad and Tobago product proving her worth in the ANZ Premiership with the Southern Steel. Her versatility was tested throughout the season, forced to play in both goal shooter and goal attack with the latter her preferred given her playmaking abilities and flair. McCollin was accurate to post and managed to carve up the court with her fancy footwork.

She is an exciting prospect for Collingwood given her natural netball skills and high IQ to read the play and drive into the space. Her innate timing is also impressive while her aerial presence is another strength even though she is on the shorter side. Her game style will play into the hands of Shimona Nelson with the Jamaican a holding shooter, allowing McCollin to set up plays out the front and deliver into the goaler under the post.

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Related content:

Centre Pass Podcast: 2020 SSN season wrap up and player movement discussion

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