THE 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season is officially done and dusted meaning it is now time for our postseason reviews. First up is wooden-spooner Celtic Dragons, with the side achieving just the one win across 20 rounds but showcasing some real improvement in the back-end of the season.

Season form: 1-19 (11th)

It was a disappointing season to say the least from the Dragons, with the side collecting just the one win for the season and struggling to compete with majority of the sides in the competition. Despite bringing in Australian Annika Lee-Jones and showing plenty of improvement as the season went on, the Dragons really lacked the forward potency and back-end consistency to really challenge most of the franchises. Cleanliness was a real issue for the Dragons, struggling to transition down court despite some silky movers such as the reliable Shona O’Dwyer, Clare Jones and Laura Rudland, although there were a couple of big moments for the side as Amy Clinton and Rebekah Robinson proved accurate and willing to shoot from range if they had the chance. The connection between Abigail Tyrrell, Christina Shaw and Lee-Jones continued to improve as the season went on, and whilst penalties plagued the side once the going got tough, the defensive work-rate never relented despite all manner of hefty margins.

Best win: Def. Surrey Storm 48-39, Round 13/14

With just one win under their belt for the season, the Dragons’ best performance would have to be their outstanding nine-goal victory over Surrey Storm during Round 13/14. Player of the match Jones proved critical with her strong transition down court and drives toward the ball, interrupting Storm’s flow and dictating the side’s momentum from the back. With just three misses for the game and a huge offensive effort from Clinton and Robinson to post, putting up 29 and 19 goals respectively, the Dragons put in arguably their strongest four-quarter performance for the season as Tyrrell and Lee-Jones wreaked havoc down back. It would be remiss to not mention another top-level performance from the Dragons – coming in as a close second for the side’s best performances is the exceptional Round 12 effort against Team Bath, leading at half time against the eventual runners up, before the then ladder-leading side switched up a gear to romp home with a 17-goal win. 

Standout player: Amy Clinton
Most Improved: Abigail Tyrrell

When it comes to the side’s standout player for the season, there is no going past the consistency, work rate and continued effort from Clinton. The tall-timber showcased her versatility and willingness to take on the game, shooting from long-range when required and proving remarkably adept, and also adapting well to sharing the load or carrying the side under pressure. Shooting at an overall accuracy of 86 per cent throughout the season, Clinton’s form was certainly a shining light for the side. When it comes to hard workers, it is Tyrrell’s hard-nosed approach to the game and ability to cleanly contest that sees her named our most improved player from the Dragons camp. The versatile defender upped her game and worked hard to give her opposition a hard time across the court, adjusting well under pressure and stepping up when required. She averaged one intercept and close to two deflections per match, showcasing her willingness to work hard to earn ball back and never gave up no matter the scoreline. 

Picture credit: Ben Lumley Photography