IT was another huge year of Suncorp Super Netball with plenty of teams putting their mark on the competition. But it was ultimately the Sunshine Coast Lightning that claimed victory for the second year in a row. While the Collingwood Magpies and Adelaide Thunderbirds found themselves at the bottom.

Adelaide Thunderbirds:

Down the bottom of the ladder the Adelaide Thunderbirds struggled to fire failing to win a single game throughout the season. The Thunderbirds showed glimpses of brilliance but were unable to play a consistent four quarters. Youngster, Shimona Nelson showed great promise with her aerial abilities and accuracy to post, while the ever-reliable Kate Shimmin proved to be that spark that they needed down in defence with her excellent timing and ability to read the flight of the ball. Shimmin ended the season with an impressive 69 deflections. Wing attack, Chelsea Pitman was also an important asset for Adelaide providing plenty of supply to goals but it just was not enough, to worry the opposition.

Collingwood Magpies:

The Collingwood Magpies were not too far ahead of the Thunderbirds finishing the season in seventh failing to make the finals. Caitlin Thwaites was the clear standout for the black and white with her dominant performance in the goal circle nailing 550 goals. Her ability to open-up space and sink long bombs was second to none helping to get Collingwood over the line on multiple occasions throughout the season. While the other shining light for the Magpies was wing defence Ashleigh Brazill who had a stellar season. Her defensive pressure and closing speed was a real asset for Collingwood. Youngster Matilda Garrett also proved why she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. In her last season of netball, flamboyant defender Sharni Layton impressed amassing 38 intercepts to end her career on a high.

GWS Giants:

After falling short in the grand final in 2017, the Greater Western Sydney Giants had a point to prove this season and they did just that taking out the minor premiership. But that was as far as they went bailing out in straight sets in the finals. With the likes of Kim Greene back at the helm after an ACL injury reduced her to the sidelines last year, the Giants looked composed and had plenty of experience across the court. The shooting duo of Susan Pettitt and Jo Harten was hard to match, with both players oozing experience and skill. While the introduction of Kristina Brice into goal shooter also paid dividends for the Giants when times were tricky, providing a good target under the ring. Young gun Jamie Lee-Price dominated in wing defence credit to her excellent hands over pressure and ability to get hands to ball.

Melbourne Vixens:

The Melbourne Vixens had a very up and down season, narrowly missing out on finals. Liz Watson continued her hot form leading the league in  goal assists with 426 and coming in at third for centre pass receives with 308. The ever-reliable wing attack showcased her class and ability to place the ball with precision time and time again. In at centre, inspirational captain Kate Moloney continued her impressive ways with her gut running on display. Her willingness to both get back and defend and help propel the ball forward was important in helping the flow of the ball down the court. The Vixens were hit with injuries throughout the season with Malawi shooting star Mwai Kumwenda struck by injury in round 13 and Emily Mannix fracturing her finger midseason forcing her to spend time on the sideline.

New South Wales Swifts:

The New South Wales Swifts were an unknown quantity with plenty of youth on their side. The likes of Sophie Garbin stood tall with her traditional style of netball and strong ability to hold space in the goal circle. While centre court player Maddy Proud put out one of her best seasons displaying her agility and defensive pressure. England Roses, shooter Helen Housby was pivotal in goals for the Swifts with her ability to sink goals and help in transition picking up some clever intercepts. The combination of goal keeper Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner and Kate Eddy worked wonders for the Swifts with the defenders winning plenty of ball back for their side. Klau was third overall in the league in deflections with 77 for the season.

Sunshine Coast Lightning:

The Lightning was touted as the international all-stars littered with experience and talent across the court. With the likes of Australian Diamonds captain, Caitlin Basset in the goal circle paired with shooting partner Steph Wood the formidable duo were hard to stop and that showed in the grand final. Down the other end of the court England Roses goal keeper, Geva Mentor and South African Karla Pretorius dominated once again. Pretorius led the way for the competition with an impressive 40 intercepts while her partner in crime, Mentor, was the number one in the league for deflections with 102. With star-studded bookends it was up to the midcourt to shine, which it did with pocket rocket Kelsey Browne making a name for herself in at wing attack.

Queensland Firebirds:

The Queensland Firebirds were bolstered by the return of superstar goal keeper Laura Geitz. The former captain did not seem to miss a beat amassing 34 intercepts and 52 deflections for the season proving her importance to the side. Her partnership with young up and coming defender Kim Jenner was exciting to watch as the pair worked effortlessly together to rotate through the circle and pick off the big intercepts. Up the shooting end the combination and athleticism of Gretel Tippett and Romelda Aiken was impressive to watch. The interplay between the two was a real feature of the Firebirds game with many teams unable to stop the connection between the shooting duo credit to their quick hands.

West Coast Fever:

It was a big year for the West Coast Fever who rocketed up the ladder after the acquisition of Jamaican shooting machine Jhaniele Fowler. The 198cm tall goal shooter turned the competition on its head shooting a whopping 783 goals in the home and away season. The second closest was Queensland Firebird shooter, Romelda Aiken with 535 goals showcasing Fowler’s dominance. While Fowler’s shooting was a focal point for the Fever her partnership with former Diamond, Natalie Medhurst was critical in ensuring the clubs dominance. Medhurst was a real play maker out the front for West Coast with her pinpoint precision feeds, racking up 394 goal assists throughout the season. Up the other end the defensive duo of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis was imperative in winning the ball back for the Fever with their aggressive hunting of the ball and timely tips.