WITH the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) home and away season done and dusted, Draft Central has compiled a Team of the Year taking into consideration consistency and form throughout the season. Multiple players have stepped up to the plate over the course of the 2020 season, making it incredibly difficult to narrow down the team to 12 players. However, with the Melbourne Vixens’ dominant season it is no surprise that three players feature. An improved season from the Firebirds also warranted a couple of selections while the GIANTS and West Coast Fever also feature in the side, though the Swifts do not – more so down to their consistent rotations – and neither do the cellar dwelling Collingwood Magpies.

GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Tippah Dwan
WA: Liz Watson
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: Kim Jenner
GK: Shamera Sterling

BENCH: Romelda Aiken, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Courtney Bruce, Jo Weston

It is hard to go past Jhaniele Fowler in goal shooter with the West Coast Fever goaler recapturing her 2018 form and slicing up the defence. Her incredible accuracy and volume to post has been at the forefront of West Coast’s dominance this season, breaking her record of most goals scored in a game with a 69 goal outing in Round 11. Fowler has added to her repertoire in 2020 with her increased movement and ability to shoot from range, albeit used minimally – while also continuing to be a menace from under the post. she sits on top of the table when it comes to goals scored with a whopping 597 making her a shoo-in for our Team of the Year. Coming in at goal attack, there were a couple of options but it is Tippah Dwan that gets the nod for her continued efforts and ability to change the course of a game. Having a breakout season, the youngster has showed no fear in the way she approaches the game with her cuts and drives carving up the court while her long range shooting has landed her 46 super shots. Dwan is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with credit to her movement out the front, ability to deliver the ball on a silver platter and great defensive attributes.

Despite missing a couple of games in the backend of the season there is no denying that Liz Watson is one of the best wing attacks in the business. Her composure with ball in hand is unmatched while her ability to weave through court with great ease makes her hard to stop for opposition teams. She is a real workhorse for the Vixens frontline thanks to her pinpoint passes, second phase play and spatial awareness. Watson hardly ever wastes a pass and leads all comers when it comes to goal assists credit to her deft passes and accuracy. In what was a trying season for the GIANTS, centre Jamie-Lee Price took charge and led the way. Her physical nature, competitive spirit and constant hustle across the court enabled her to get hands to ball time and time again. Not only was her defensive work impressive racking up the deflections and intercepts but her increased work in attack shone, hitting the circle edge hard to release well-executed passes into the goalers. Joining her teammate through the centre in wing defence is none other than GIANTS youngster, Amy Parmenter. The highly talented midcourter has been in just about everything and is one of the most consistent performers throughout the SSN with her ability to read the play, leap into action and impressive closing speed. She is the gift that keeps on giving, nagging at attackers and winning ball back.

Earning a spot in the Diamonds squad for the 2021 international season, Kim Jenner has been a focal point for the Queensland Firebirds in season 2020 with her ball winning abilities constantly on show. The excitement machine left no stone unturned throughout the season, contesting every pass and using her speed off the mark to get hands to ball and create turnovers or pick up intercepts and deflections left, right and centre. Her reduced amount of penalties allowed her to stay in play more and generate more pressure whether it be out the front or over the shot. Joining her in defence is Adelaide Thunderbirds goal keeper and Jamaican import Shamera Sterling. Much like Jenner, Sterling produces nothing but excitement down back with her long limbs causing all sorts of havoc for opposition teams. Her ability to time the jump to perfection and create a rejection on the shot is second to none while her skill to contest from behind only blossomed throughout the season. Sterling was a menace down back, hunting the cross-court ball and dancing around the court thanks to her light footwork and deceptive speed.

Although they missed out on finals, the Queensland Firebirds were resurgent in 2020 with goal shooter Romelda Aiken a key reason for their rise up the ladder. The goal shooter found her rhythm under the post and pulled out the party tricks with her layups and increased movement sending fans into overdrive. Aiken was a phenomenal target under the post in 2020 and showcased her aerial strength to dominate oppositions. Cara Koenen rounds out the other attacking bench position after starring for the Lightning in both goal shooter and goal attack. Koenen has come along in leaps and bounds this season, with her accuracy and movement paramount to her dominance. The midcourt role goes to Kate Moloney with the Melbourne Vixens centre showcasing her impressive court coverage, leadership and tenacity time and time again throughout the season. She is like a bull at a gate, contesting everything that comes her way and leaves no stone unturned such is her commitment out on court. Her composure and execution on the pass is also a focal point of her game play. The final spot goes to Australian Diamonds goal keeper and West Coast Fever captain, Courtney Bruce. The goal keeper missed some time with injury but came back with a real fire in the belly and led her team accordingly. Her aggressive nature and hunt for the ball made her exciting to watch as did her lean over the shot and fancy footwork to manoeuvre around her opponent to cleanly pick up ball while Jo Weston hardly skipped a beat for the Melbourne Vixens. Weston is light on her feet and can play both a tagging and ball winning role such is her netball smarts and dynamism, prompting her to get the final spot on the bench.

Unlucky to not make the cut is Collingwood Magpies goal keeper, Geva Mentor with the defender starring in what was a difficult season for the bottom of the ladder Pies. Through the midcourt Paige Hadley, Verity Charles and Mahalia Cassidy just missed out on a spot while under the post the likes of youngster Georgie Horjus, Caitlin Thwaites, Sam Wallace and Lenize Potgieter were other options given their accuracy and dominance in the goal circle for their respective sides.