THERE has been no shortage of twists and turns throughout the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season with border restrictions playing a huge part in dictating the season once more. But in amongst the chaos there has been plenty of netball action and now at the pointy end of the season it will come down to which team has the legs to run out the remaining couple of games and lift the premiership trophy. Rotation and versatility will be key with the top four teams more than likely needing to dip into their bench throughout finals to keep players fresh after a condensed end to the season.

GIANTS Netball:

The GIANTS are probably the team that makes the least changes of any in the top four. With a set frontend boasting Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer they rarely dip into their bench with Matisse Letherbarrow only registering a couple of minutes and just five goals which could pose an issue if things do not go to plan in attack or – touch wood – injury strikes. The midcourt also often remains unchanged for the GIANTS with the only positions ever really tinkered with down in defence. April Brandley has been a lock in goal defence throughout the season and they will be hoping she is raring to go following an untimely ankle injury, however Kristiana Manu’a has proven she also has the skillset to play a strong negating role. Manu’a can ply her trade effectively out in wing defence if required, while youngster Matilda McDonell has enjoyed a bit more court time this season out in goal keeper.

NSW Swifts:

The Swifts have not shied away from ringing in the changes throughout the 2021 season meaning that each and every player on their 1-player roster has enjoyed their fair share of court time. This could well and truly work in their favour with the Swifts able to think on their feet and seamlessly transition players in and out of the game without any hiccups. The shooting circle has seen plenty of rotation with Sophie Garbin often proving to be the super-sub with her accuracy to post, strength and ability to turn a game on its head. She is not along when it comes to game changers with English international Nat Haythornthwaite a classy operator that can open up the court with her silky drives and pinpoint passes. Earning the nod in wing defence in the past couple of appearances, Tayla Fraser has elevated herself from the bench to playing regular minutes, while Lauren Moore has also impressed with her capacity to play just about any defensive role. This flexibility and depth allows the Swifts to remain unpredictable, keeping opposition teams on their feet with their various combinations.

West Coast Fever:

Another team that has made the most of their bench depth throughout the season is West Coast Fever. They make at least one change per game, often inside the goal circle and proved to have a three-pronged attack. Both Alice Teague-Neeld and Sasha Glasgow are more than capable of entering a high-stakes game and not skipping a beat, something they will be hoping to replicate in finals. The ability for Stacey Marinkovich to completely alter the forward structure for the Fever will put them in good stead for finals. They also have great defensive depth with Stacey Francis-Bayman able to slot in just about anywhere in the back-end and Olivia Lewis able to enter the fray and have an impact. Although Verity Charles has held down the wing attack position this season, Emma Cosh has proven she has the arsenal to impact the play with her classy movement, precise ball placement and smarts.

Sunshine Coast Lightning:

It has been evident in recent weeks that the Lightning’s lack of depth could come back to bite them. Missing Steph Wood last week, Sunshine Coast were well and truly exposed and while Peace Proscovia held her own in goal shooter, they lacked the same flow in attack. Having spent majority of her court time – albeit limited – out in wing attack, Binnian Hunt struggled to find her rhythm in goals last week and if the Lightning have to balance Wood’s workload this week, they could once again find themselves in hot water. Defensively, however, the Lightning have a couple of options with Kate Shimmin proving she can get the job done both in her newfound wing defence role as well as her more traditional goal keeper position.

Summary:

It is fair to say that both the Swifts and Fever have made the most use of their bench throughout season 2021 and it could bode well given the frenetic finish to the home and away season. The GIANTS and Lightning have been pretty stuck in their structures and while bibs may switch around out on court they do not often extend to the bench unless absolutely necessary.

Photo credit: Suncorp Super Netball