THE shock loss of Liz Watson is set to hit the Melbourne Vixens hard for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season with the star midcourter preparing to spend the year on the sidelines after going in for foot surgery. A key cog through the centre of the court and able to float between both centre and wing attack, Watson’s composure and class with ball in hand will well and truly be missed.

Watson’s absence begs the question: Who will replace her? Will the Vixens go for a developing player to follow suit with its developing attacking unit, or bolster it with experience? We pose a couple of viable options that the reigning premiers could look to.

Chelsea Pitman
It would be remiss to not throw the likes of Chelsea Pitman into the mix when looking at handy replacements for Watson. A tried and tested wing attack that boasts nothing but class and precision around circle edge, Pitman would be a handy prospect to pick up for the 2021 season. Not offered a contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds at the end of last season, the highly talented midcourter has signed on with Garville Netball Club in South Australia but if given the opportunity could be exactly what the Vixens are looking for. Her exceptional vision and spatial awareness would allow her to connect with the likes of Malawian shooter Mwai Kumwenda while her experience would provide a steady head out the front of Kaylia Stanton and Ruby Barkmeyer. Pitman is a cool, calm and collected customer who is renowned for her silky movement, ball placement and leadership to create multiple attacking forays. She is hardly ever flustered and is a real workhorse while also being known to spend some time in at goal attack making her a highly versatile option.

Tayla Honey
Playing with the Vixens last year after being forced to the sidelines in 2019 with injury, Tayla Honey took some time to warm up but proved she has plenty of potential through the midcourt. A relatively raw prospect who is still honing her craft, Honey is a real playmaker who, with more time, could develop her confidence and skill on court. She is more than capable of using her innate timing and fancy footwork around circle edge to dance her way past the opposition and create attacking forays. Although not the strongest on the take, some consistent court time would enable her to play with a bit more freedom and back herself in when the going gets tough. Her workrate is unquestionable, constantly repositioning and her already formed on-court relationships with captain Kate Moloney and Kumwenda could pay dividends given the number of fresh faces in attack.

Hannah Mundy
Continuing down the line of familial ties is the potential signing of Hannah Mundy. Named in the Australian Under 21s side, Mundy is still an incredibly raw talent but clearly has the goods to go with it. Able to rotate through the midcourt, Mundy is a hard worker that is yet to have her time to shine and while it might be a bit far-fetched to get a call-up to the squad having no prior SSN experience, shee could be a real livewire. If the Vixens decided to look to the future and build up their stocks with the likes of Barkmeyer already committing then Mundy could be a viable option with her tenacity, ball placement and netball IQ all pivotal.

Vanessa Augustini
Currently playing with Geelong Cougars in the Victorian Netball League (VNL), Vanessa Augustini is another viable option for the Melbourne Vixens with the midcourter able to effectively ply her trade. Spending some time as a Collingwood Magpies training partner, Augustini is aware of what it takes to compete at the highest level and can adapt quickly. She is strong through the wing attack position and although she is still developing her craft, can impact the play with her innate timing and read of the space in attack. She has also spent time forging connections alongside the likes of Allie Smith, meaning her presence could provide an element of stability to the Vixens midcourt.