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 first SSN team to enter the countdown at number eight is West Coast Fever.

After making it all the way to the decider in 2020, there are big expectations surrounding the two-time grand finalists, however those plans to go back to the big stage may be hard to replicate after breaching their salary cap and subsequently being docked 12 premiership points next season. Although they are yet to secure that all elusive piece of silverware, they have definitely shown that they have the makings to beat the best in the business and have retained all of their key players for the 2021 season, but will have to be on their a-game if they are to make any real push for finals. Marred by injury early with Courtney Bruce missing snippets of the season and Ingrid Colyer ruled out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the Fever found a way to win and looked to their youth to lead the way. A number of key up and coming players stepped up to the plate in their debut seasons and if they can carry that vein of form into the 2021 season, West Coast could be poised as serious premiership contenders.

Emma Cosh took like a duck to water despite spending majority of the season out in her non-preferred position of wing attack, while livewire Sunday Aryang took the competition by storm. Aryang showcased her arsenal of tricks, able to effectively swing between goal defence, goal keeper and wing defence with a blink of an eye and with further exposure and court time in 2021, she could blossom into an even better player. The versatility and depth the Fever have in defence is a key component to watch next year, with Olivia Lewis another highly touted prospect in goal keeper given her ability to come on and impact the play with her intercepting ability and long arms.

There is no denying that the Fever know how to score and score quickly through the likes of towering Jamaican shooting sensation, Jhaniele Fowler, something they will be eager to keep going in 2021 and look to add to. Fowler is their main source of goals and delivers at a high level in terms of productivity and accuracy, while Alice Teague-Neeld came along in leaps and bounds throughout this year, generating plenty of interest and intrigue into what she will do next year and whether Teague-Neeld can continue on that trajectory. Verity Charles upped the ante throughout the season and if she can deliver at the same high standard, could guide them to another strong season at the top of the ladder.

With head coach Stacey Marinkovich in her final season as coach – set to take the reins as Diamonds head coach – the Fever will want to send her off in style and go one better than their previous two grand final outings, but will really have their backs against the wall given their SSN imposed sanctions. With an exciting bunch of players that boast a wealth of versatility and a competitive spirit, the Fever are primed for a big 2021 campaign if they are able to push through the adversity.

Related articles:

Verity Charles feature // Sunday Aryang courtside comments // Alice Teague-Neeld courtside comments // Emma Cosh courtside comments