ROUND 2 of Suncorp Super Netball was a big one, with two teams getting a second win apiece to start the season while three teams still sit winless for 2019. The first draw of the year took place between Queensland Firebirds and Collingwood Magpies, while the Adelaide Thunderbirds could not back up their stellar start to the season against an in-form NSW Swifts side. West Coast Fever struggled this week without Courtney Bruce holding up the defence end, while the Sunshine Coast Lightning broke a Suncorp Super Netball record shooting 80 goals. Melbourne Vixens lead the way in the Round 2 edition of Draft Central Team of the Week with four players, followed by Sunshine Coast Lightning and Queensland Firebirds with two apiece. Collingwood Magpies and NSW Swifts each have one player featured, while big losses to West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds see the two teams miss out on selection this week.

GK: Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens)
Emily Mannix was solid for the Vixens on Sunday, proving her strong partnership with goal defence, Jo Weston and battling hard against the strong hold and ability of GIANTS goal shooter, Caitlin Bassett. Mannix thrived against Bassett, racking up an exceptional eight gains, five intercepts, five deflections (two to advantage) and only four penalties to her name. Mannix dominated the circle, credit to Weston’s smooth and clever defensive efforts allowing Mannix to take control of the space. Mannix’ vertical jump was crucial as she worked her way into the match, forcing uncharacteristic errors from the usually composed GIANTS.

GD: Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens)
Jo Weston was phenomenal in Round 2, proving to be one of the most influential players on court and standing up against the likes of Jo Harten and Bassett in the circle. Weston all but took Harten out of the game, tagging her relentlessly and rendering the goaler sloppy in the circle, while also crowding space in the circle to create turnovers for her partner in crime, Mannix. Weston only picked up two gains, an intercept and five pickups for her efforts, however limited her opposition in Harten to only 11 attempts for the match. Weston also provided good run through the midcourt, constantly providing backup as the Vixens patiently worked the ball through to attack.

WD: Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies)
Ash Brazill was her usual dominant self on Saturday, rallying her side to get back into the match after a stellar first half from the Queensland Firebirds saw the Magpies come into the second half down by eight goals. Three gains, two intercepts and six deflections saw Brazill take control against the likes of Caitlyn Nevins and Jemma Mi Mi, forcing errors, pulling off some spectacular saves and creating opportunities downcourt credit to her closing speed, awareness of teammates and overall game smarts across the court. Brazill worked tirelessly to work the ball around the court and was always an option on the transverse line.

C: Laura Langman (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
The return of Laura Langman to the Suncorp Super Netball made waves, and for good reason after a dominant performance against a struggling West Coast Fever outfit on the weekend. Langman’s speed and pinpoint accuracy is integral to the Lightning’s gameplay, and the Lightning were fully able to take advantage of it as they ran over the Fever for their first win of the season. Langman’s play through the midcourt was exceptional, well backed up by the likes of Laura Scherian as they sped straight through Fever’s defence to put up shot after shot. Langman had 22 goal assists from 37 feeds, also generating two gains, an intercept and three pickups on her way to player of the match honours.

WA: Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens)
Liz Watson was a regular fixture in the Centre Pass Podcast’s Team of the Week in 2018, credit to her read of the play, ability to create space forward and spectacular feeds into the goal circle. Watson had 29 assists from a dominant 47 feeds, credit to her clever ball placement, while also pairing well with midcourters, Kate Moloney and Renae Ingles to come away with two gains, two intercepts and three pickups. Watson’s speed and quick feet to get on the circle edge provided a great option for the likes of Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites inside the circle, always able to thread the ball in.

GA: Helen Housby (NSW Swifts)
Helen Housby is one goaler who tends to fly under the radar, but her Round 2 efforts saw her go above and beyond, doing her job well in goals but also putting in the hard yards to create turnovers through the midcourt. Housby’s ability to turn and shoot is exceptional, while her clever timing, closing speed and long arms give her the ability to turn the tables through the midcourt and return the ball to attack in seconds. Housby shot 24 goals from 28 attempts, sharing the load well with Sam Wallace in goal shooter, while also managing four deflections (two to advantage), a pickup and 25 centre pass receives for her player of the match performance.

GS: Peace Proscovia (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Peace Proscovia was almost an unknown quantity coming into this round after playing less than 20 minutes of Round 1, however was a dominant fixture at the post for the Lightning as they went on to beat the ailing Fever by 25 goals on Sunday. Proscovia was dominant in the ring, proving her ability and teamwork with the likes of Steph Wood, playing the opening three quarters and shooting 48 goals from 54 shots at 90 per cent, as well as picking up five offensive rebounds. Proscovia’s strength and stature at the post made her a difficult opposition for the young Fever defence, and proves the Lightning will be a difficult opposition in 2019.

BENCH: Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens), Kim Jenner (Queensland Firebirds), Gretel Tippett (Queensland Firebirds)
Two players of the match and a contender are on this round’s Team of the Week bench, with the likes of Vixens’s Kate Moloney and Firebirds’ Kim Jenner and Gretel Tippett working their way onto this week’s list. Centre, Kate Moloney’s speed and bodywork through the midcourt gave the Vixens a much needed boost against the GIANTS, putting her side to advantage as she continuously worked to provide ball to her fellow midcourters. Moloney finished well with seven deflections and five pickups, however also received 12 penalties, the most of any Vixens player. Young defender, Kim Jenner was exceptional against the respective aerial ability and footwork of Magpies’ Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst, showcasing her versatility as she took the court as both goal defence and goal keeper. Jenner was dynamic and quick, putting in the hard yards to turn over the ball for her side, managing three gains, two intercepts and five pickups for her tough work throughout defence. Gretel Tippett’s strong shooting effort on Saturday was crucial, with the likes of Romelda Aiken well taken care of by the Magpies’ defence. Tippett’s 96 per cent shooting accuracy (26 goals from 27 attempts) was key as the Magpies forced their way back into the match, while her three pickups, 28 centre pass receives and 12 goal assists made her a target across the court.