A NEW series looking at underrated players across the netball world is underway with the Draft Central team casting an eye on players who tend to fly under the radar but have proven to have plenty of class and talent across the board. Hailing from Northern Ireland, the next player brought into the spotlight is dual athlete Caroline O’Hanlon.

Playing for Manchester Thunder in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) O’Hanlon has become a regular fixture through the midcourt with her run and gun style of play and dynamic movement. A key contributor for the side throughout the past couple of seasons with her leadership and overall netball nous to dictate the play through the centre or out in wing attack. At 36, she is one of the most experienced players in the side but does not let age define her given her high level of endurance and impressive spatial awareness to drift into open pockets on the court.

She is often overshadowed by the likes Serena Guthrie and Laura Langman who have been formidable options for their respective nations in England and New Zealand, but O’Hanlon has been a star for Northern Ireland. She has led them on many occasions using her quick feet and silky hands to deliver the ball into the circle time and time again. The talented midcourter often flies under the radar given she is not from one of the top five netballing nations, but should not be underestimated credit to her endurance base and smarts on court. She boasts a highly attacking mindset and is not afraid of the physicality coming from a Gaelic football background. She is strong in the air and is able to absorb the contact when they come thanks to her core strength while her balance is also a noticeable trait in her game play.

The ever-reliable centre has represented her nation at three World Cups and two Commonwealth Games highlighting just how much of a formidable force she is through the centre and also her arsenal of tricks. O’Hanlon is far from a one-trick pony able to turn on the after burners to go streaming down court or slow down the pace of the game with her cautious approach down court. She is a consistent figure that has a high workrate that enables her to be a threat in offence and defence with her hands over pressure, solid court coverage and deceptively long arms.

Her second efforts are unquestionable with O’Hanlon often backing up her teams efforts across the court with her desperation and hunt to reel in any errant pass. The 36-year-old is clever with ball in hand and has enough experience and knowledge to hold onto the ball until the dying second and then release accordingly. The captain of the Northern Ireland side, O’Hanlon is often that driving force through the centre able to dictate the play and while she may sometimes go unnoticed it is by no means because of a lack of talent or effort, just sheer exposure. She has great versatility on the pass to ensure she is not a one dimensional player and can have a profound impact whether it be directly on circle edge, in the pocket or floating through the middle third such is her precision and craft with ball in hand.