This week in netball: International squads announced and finals all around
THIS week in netball, a variety of big moments for 2021 popped up as the ANZ Premiership champions were decided, while the final round of Suncorp Super Netball action took place in a condensed fixture. In other news, three nations announced international playing squads for upcoming test fixtures.
It was the Northern Mystics that were crowned 2021 ANZ Premiership champions, defeating Mainland Tactix by a mere two goals on Sunday afternoon. Finishing the season atop the ladder, the Mystics had the firepower and talent to get the job done despite the Tactix’s finals experience, ultimately pipping the Tactix at the post in the late stages of the match to claim an all elusive premiership. Tactix’s Jane Watson was under scrutiny the following day with what appeared to be an unknown injury sustained during the match, however that was cleared up not long after as a planned ankle surgery conducted immediately following the season’s completion. Unfortunately for the New Zealand Silver Ferns, this surgery will also see the dogged defender miss out on the upcoming Constellation Cup series against Australia in October.
“We’ve had this on the cards for a wee while, for a few months now, so we’ve definitely been clear on what needed to happen for her and gone through all the scenarios as to with her controlling and leading that as to what is the best scenario for her now,” head coach, Dame Noeline Taurua explained.
“Not only that. I think as well, to have that mental break is always a good thing, and to have a bit of a life and reacquaint yourself with home.”
Speaking of the Silver Ferns, and a congratulations is in order for a number of debut names announced in the squad, as Grace Nweke, Tiana Metuarau, Kate Heffernan and Jamie Hume all earned their maiden call-up, and Peta Toeava returned to the fray following an excellent season. Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Watson retained their place on the list given they are expected to return following pregnancy and injury recovery, while stalwarts the likes of Katrina Rore and Bailey Mes were unavailable for selection.
Elsewhere, 2022 player signings have already begun, with the first major move seeing Kate Burley sign with Southern Steel for next season with the announcement coming immediately following her Mystics premiership on the weekend. She will join returning Steel defenders Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Sarahpheinna Woulf, and slot straight in to replace Taneisha Fifita who will sit out of next season.
The Australian Diamonds squad was also announced this week following the completion of the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, with 40 players across the league selected and placed in the Diamonds and Development squads. Newcomers to the Diamonds included Amy Parmenter and Sunday Aryang, with the two defenders proving more than capable of stepping up to the next level with another impressive season in the books. Both Liz Watson and Kiera Austin retained their positions despite currently rehabbing an ongoing foot issue and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, respectively, and will likely take part in upcoming training camps. Most notably, the likes of Kelsey Browne and Kim Ravaillion were left off both the 21-player main squad and 19-player development squad, despite both putting their hand up for selection, while April Brandley had an outstanding season but did not put her name forward.
In other news, the SPAR Proteas have announced the 16-player squad which will travel to Kingston, Jamaica in October for the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series, taking on Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Returning talent includes SSN’s Lenize Potgieter, Phumza Maweni, Karla Pretorius and Shadine Van der Merwe, as Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) talents in Sigi Burger, Lefebre Rademan and Ine-Mari Venter were also named across a stacked squad. Netball Jamaica and Netball Trinidad and Tobago are yet to announce their respective squads.
The Centre Pass Podcast has continued this season despite bumps in the road with lockdowns and plenty of unknowns regarding fixtures, while with lockdown continuing in Melbourne for at least another week, the Victorian Netball League (VNL) remains sidelined.
Australia
2021/2022 Australian Diamonds squad announced
SSN Round 14 wraps: Swifts rally to topple courageous Thunderbirds // Queensland Firebirds end their season on a high against struggling Vixens // Swifts stamp authority with five goal win over Lightning // GIANTS secure minor premiership with win over Fever
New Zealand
2021/2022 New Zealand Silver Ferns squad announced
Northern Mystics crowned 2021 premiers
2021 ANZ Premiership: Post-season stats wrap
ANZ Premiership season reviews: WBOP Magic // Central Pulse // Northern Stars // Southern Steel
International
2021/2022 Diamonds and Ferns: Ins and Outs
2021/22 South Africa SPAR Proteas announced
Centre Pass Podcast
Centre Pass Podcast – Diamonds and Silver Ferns selections, ANZ grand final and SSN Round 14
ALL EPISODES: iTunes // Spotify // Anchor
Picture credit: AAP / Scott Barbour
PREVIEW | VNL Round 8 2024: Time for a road trip
ROUND 8 of the Victorian Netball League sees the competition spread out, in both venue use and days in which the games are played. There are only two fixtures slated for the State Netball Centre tonight, with the rest set to take place in various venues over the weekend. Tonight’s first clash is between the […]
RECAP | 2024 ANZ Premiership: Round 2
THE Central Pulse have made it two wins from as many matches after defeating the WBOP Magic 56-44. It was a tight first half, but a strong third term from the victors made all the difference. Some strong defensive work from the Magic allowed them to be the ones to break centre pass first, and […]
RECAP | NSL 2024 – Round 10
DESPITE the best efforts of a determined Saracens Mavericks, the Loughborough Lightning once again proved too strong and defeated their fellow Londoners 68-60. For the most part it was a tight affair, with the second quarter making all the difference. After initially trading goals to start the match, it was the Lightning who were the […]
RECAP | SSN – Round 2 2024
IN the match of the round in the Suncorp Super Netball, the Melbourne Vixens escaped with a narrow win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds to keep their undefeated record in tact. It was a close match all night but the Vixens pulled away in the dying stages to take the win. After a wayward pass from […]
Games of the Weekend | April 19-22
ON the menu in World Netball this week includes an English top four match up, a much anticipated match up between former team mates in Australia, and an intriguing clash in New Zealand. ANZ PREMIERSHIP MATCH OF THE ROUNDCentral Pulse vs WBOP MagicSaturday at 4pmTSB Arena, Wellington The first fixture of the entire ANZ Premiership […]
Bendigo Strike down Warriors to get back on winners list
THE Bendigo Strikers have won their second match of the VNL after defeating fellow new side the Western Warriors 60 goals to 45. A quick start to the game set up the win for the Strikers, who just kept building on their lead as the game progressed and fended off everything the Warriors threw at […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 7 2024: Top teams lock horns
OFF the back of an exciting National Netball Championships, the VNL returns to the spotlight tonight. The round’s opening match looms as a one-sided affair, as the Peninsula Waves take on City West Falcons. On one hand, the Waves have found the going tough all season, meanwhile the reigning champions are in a good run […]
RECAP | NSL 2024 – Round 9
THE Cardiff Dragons have now won the most amount of games they have won in a season since 2019 after they defeated Team Bath 52 goals to 46. The game was tight for much of the match, but the Dragons put their foot down just enough in the third term to secure the win. Although […]
RECAP | 2024 ANZ Premiership: Round 1
THE Northern Mystics got their ANZ Premiership title defence off to the perfect start with a 64 goals to 52 win over the WBOP Magic. The Magic were actually the better team for much of the match, but fell apart late and the Mystics swooped. It was the defending champions who got the early lead, […]
