THE Sunshine Coast Lightning will come into 2019 off the back of another dominant season, becoming the first team to become back-to-back premiers of the Suncorp Super Netball. The Lightning had a shaky start to 2018, dropping the first three games of the season before landing a win, however managed to collect bonus points in every game to put themselves in contention by the final round of the season.

The Lightning made a number of changes over the off-season, losing bookends up either end of the court with Caitlin Bassett moving to the GIANS and Geva Mentor returning home to Melbourne to play for Collingwood. Speedster Kelsey Browne also parted ways with the club after a successful two years with the Lightning to play alongside sister, Madi at Collingwood. With all the changes there are some notable ins for the side with goaler, Peace Proscovia and defender, Phumza Maweni set to pull on the Lightning dress for the first time, while the return of key midcourter and newly announced captain, Laura Langman brings intensity, excitement and experience back to the court. Dominant defender, Karla Pretorius has been named as vice-captain, while 197cm tall circle defender, Annika Lee-Jones will hope to gain some court time after departing the West Coast Fever.

While the Lightning are sure to be solid in defence credit to Pretorius and Maweni’s teamwork in the past for the South Africa Spar Proteas, it will be a completely different lineup through attack without the speed and precision of Kelsey Browne in wing attack feeding into the circle. Comparatively, the new look shooting circle will see Proscovia rotate through with Australia Diamonds goal attack, Steph Wood and young gun, Cara Koenen. The loss of partnership between Bassett and Wood may trip up the Lightning early in the season, however 193cm Proscovia will be a daunting prospect at the post and is sure to rival Bassett’s precision.

Despite the loss of some incredible players across the court, Lightning coach, Noeline Taurua has done a great job selecting replacements who are likely to put in the hard yards and have an impact from day dot, so be ready for the Lightning to be a big competitor for the premiership again this year.