Here are 10 names for netball fans to get excited about when players hit the courts again following the coronavirus lay-off
While the state anxiously waits for sport to kick off again, check out a list of 10 SA players who will have fans excited about netball’s return.
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As the state’s number of new coronavirus cases continue to be zero and active cases decline, confidence of netball returning to the court is growing.
A new start date for the national Super Netball season was likely to be announced by the end of this month.
Momentum is also gaining for Netball SA’s Premier League campaign to begin soon.
While we wait for players to hit the court again, netball writers Warren Partland and Daniela Abbracciavento have put together a list of 10 SA players to have fans excited about the game’s return.
SHAMERA STERLING
The Jamaican has established herself as arguably the best goal keeper in the world.
No player in Super Netball got their hands to more intercepts last season and her athleticism and ability to read the game unsettles the league’s best shooters.
LENZIE POTGIETER
The South African sharp shooter will make her debut for the Thunderbirds this season.
The tall goal shooter is extremely accurate and will be the go-to person in attack.
SASHA GLASGOW
The youngster overcame injuries to take her game to new levels alongside champion Kiwi Maria Folau, who won’t return this year, in the goal circle.
Glasgow will return after a knee reconstruction confident and ready to build on a terrific 2019.
LAYLA GUSCOTH
Her focus is currently on helping fight the coronavirus as a doctor in England but when she returns Guscoth will partner Shamera Sterling in a formidable defensive circle combination.
MAISIE NANKIVELL
The midcourter knocked back an AFLW contract with the Crows to focus on the Thunderbirds.
Nankivell made her debut last season as a replacement player and did not look out of place against international stars.
JORDYN ADAMS
Adams, a former Mount Gambier local, moved to Adelaide last year to develop in the Premier League with Garville in the hope of being noticed by state selectors.
The midcourter was rewarded and although the 2020 national championships have been cancelled due to the coronavirus, Adams was selected in the under-19 SA squad.
KELSEY WILLIAMS
Williams finished the 2019 Premier League campaign as the competition; s top goal shooter, netting 589 out of 766 attempts across 15 games.
It’s Williams’ accuracy in front of the net that sets her apart from the rest,
She’s quick, works hard and is likely to thrive under new Tango/ex-Garville coach Jackie Blyth.
LAURA PACKARD
The former Thunderbird and Matrics captain enjoyed a standout 2019 season which culminated in her winning the Marg Angove medal in her side’s grand final win for best on court.
The goalie is expected to take her game to another level this coming season as Matrics attempts to win back-to-back titles.
LUCY AUSTIN
Austin is a tall, unpredictable goal shooter who plays for Matrics and also Southern Force in the Australian Netball League.
The goalie, who is part of Australia’s Netball World Youth Cup squad, is developing into a strong target inside the circle, is quick and exciting to watch,
CHELSEA LEMKE
The wing attack/goal attack is making her long-awaited return to Contax this season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during her side’s 2017 grand final victory.
Lemke is a natural, skilled netballer but her career has been hampered by injuries and she underwent two surgeries to get herself right for the 2020 Premier League campaign.