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. Coming in at number six are the Saracens Mavericks, who have no shortage of firepower but just did not get the chance to show it in 2020 due to the cancelled season.

With only three games under their belt the Mavs proved they were not to be underestimated, winning two of those matches and highlighting their ability to swing the ball from one end of the court to the other. Although they have lost George Fisher for the 2021 season, with the goal shooter heading to the Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership, they wasted no time recruiting South African Ine-Mari Venter. The SPAR Proteas representative has spent the past couple of years out in the SSN with both the Melbourne Vixens and most recently the Queensland Firebirds, but has struggled to get consistent court time, making the move an exciting one for the goal shooter. Venter is a developing shooter that can play both a holding and moving role which will complement the style of fan favourite Kadeen Corbin, who oozes plenty of netball smarts and experience.

Sister, Sasha Corbin is a consistent figure who will provide that element of surety in the new-look shooting circle, with her ability to thread the needle and balance the circle a couple of prominent features. Despite not getting a wealth of court time Beth Ecuyer-Dale is an exciting prospect, with her quick hands and versatility through the midcourt making her one to watch for the 2021 season, while if Gabby Marshall is able to continue her consistent ways the Mavs could be primed for a premiership tilt.

There is plenty of hype surrounding Razia Quashie with the goal keeper steadily building her repertoire and skillset. She is a force to be reckoned with in the defensive circle, using her footwork and innate timing to swat balls away or read the play to take a big intercept. If Quashie is able to continue on her upwards trajectory, she will definitely help guide the Mavs to another strong season while partnering with the likes of Jodie Gibson down back. Gibson is a seasoned campaigner that knows all the tricks of the trade, able to shut down her opponent with her tireless work-rate. Saracens has a plethora of alternative defensive options as well with Jo Trip a familiar face and established ball winner, along with the versatile option of Aliyah Zaranyika.

Keeping the majority of their list from the 2020 season, the Mavericks will be eager to build on their form and connections across the court to make a real splash in the VNSL and climb further up the ladder. There is an even spread of youth and developmental prospects alongside experienced heads which will enable the team to balance out that desire to run and gun it down the court, or finesse the passes to get the desired outcome.