IT has been an unconventional year of netball and as 2020 comes to a close the Draft Central team casts an eye to the future and which teams we are excited to see take the court for the 2021 season. There has been a number of player changes throughout the offseason across the ANZ Premiership, Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) and Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) with retirements, pregnancies, and injuries impacting some teams. But that does not mean that next year will not be action packed with some fresh faces elevated to full-time rosters and internationals joining new leagues. The next team in focus is London Pulse, who rocketed up the ladder in 2020 before the COVID-19 enforced cancellation of the season.

The acquisition of South African goaler, Sigi Burger seemed to be exactly what the Pulse were looking for given her proficiency and silky hands under the post. Burger was a real game changer in her three games for the Pulse this season and will be hoping to bring that same intensity in 2021. The towering goal shooter is an exciting prospect under the post, able to command the ball, and exposure to VNSL level will only increase her dominance and the Pulse’s subsequent rise up the ladder. She will be joined by international teammate Lefebre Rademan in the upcoming season with the likes of Chiara Semple departing to New Zealand. Rademan showcased she is more than capable of lighting up the court and proved so throughout the SPAR Challenge Series in the past month with her accuracy and drive to post. One thing is for sure and that is that the Pulse do not have a shortage of attacking outlets, with Emma Thacker also a viable option under the post. The versatility in which they have for the 2021 season will be enough to keep teams guessing as to which combination will get a run out on court, with Monique Thompson also an option inside the goal circle along with Kira Rothwell and Olivia Tchine.

The Pulse are steadily building a strong core group of players that are able to stop their opponents in their tracks and implement their own game plan. They completely reinvigorated themselves over the 2019 off-season and although the Pulse only got limited court time in 2020, proved they have the makings to become a force to be reckoned with thanks to their smooth ball movement down the court and tenacity. Halimat Adio is an exciting prospect for the Pulse who has only gotten better as time goes by with her electrifying style in defence and overall court coverage. Funmi Fadoju is another one to keep an eye on for London in the upcoming VNSL season thanks to her ball winning ways and impressive timing to pop out for intercepts when needed.

Despite only playing three games in 2020, the Pulse are gearing up for an action packed 2021 season and will be eager to impress with their new found connections. With speed to burn and excitement machines across the court such as Adean Thomas and Michelle Drayne through the midcourt, the Pulse are one to watch. A team that has only been around for three years, they are still relatively new and have gone through a few changes to become a formidable force and really solidify their rankings as a team to watch in the VNSL.

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London Pulse feature