Netball SA Premier League top performers, breakout talents of 2022
From young guns to established stars, we’ve picked out Netball SA Premier League’s best this season from every club. See the full list.
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The Netball SA Premier League season is heating up with eight clubs about to hit the run home before the beginning of what is looming as a hotly-contested finals series.
With KommunityTV’s exclusively live streaming matches from the competition every round this year, we have indentified a top performer and breakout talent for each team in 2022.
From young guns rising up the ranks to established stars still getting it done, see the full list below.
And watch the full match replays of Tango and Matrics in the Premier League and reserves matches for round 10 below.
REPLAY: TANGO v MATRICS (PREMIER LEAGUE)
REPLAY: TANGO v MATRICS (RESERVES
PREVIEW: TOP PERFORMERS, BREAKOUT TALENTS OF 2022
CONTAX
TOP PERFORMER: Chelsea Blackman
With Contax top of the ladder and on an eight-game unbeaten run, it’s no surprise defender Chelsea Blackman has been one of her side’s best with the competition powerhouse conceding the league’s lowest scores against.
Contax has given up just 38.6 goals per game in 2022 and much of it comes down to Thunderbirds training partner Blackman and her defensive ally Molly Watson.
“Both of those girls have to handle extra pressure … but they keep coming back and putting themselves forward,” coach Leanne Eichler said.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Kayla Graham
Young goal attack Kayla Graham has made her mark at both Premier League and national level so far this year.
While the Contax line-up is strong across the board, the rising talent has been able to shine through with a 46-goal performance in her side’s crucial round eight win over rival Matrics the standout.
“Kayla is certainly an emerging young goalie not only for Contax but possibly for netball in SA,” Eichler said.
Graham won a spot in the Australian under-19 squad after a stellar performance at the national championships in April.
GARVILLE
TOP PERFORMER: Jacoba Clough
In what has been a tough season for bottom-placed Garville, shooter Jacoba Clough has been a consistent contributor for her side.
A big off-season has paid dividends for Clough who has brought her high intensity to the Greys after crossing from Oakdale last year.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Lucy Denton
Regional talent Lucy Denton has gone from the courts of the South East to the bright lights of Premier League and national netball.
The Millicent product has featured in every top level match for Garville this season as well as gaining selection in the national under-19 squad as a bottom-ager.
MATRICS
TOP PERFORMER: Tyler Orr
Matrics coach Jacqui Illman believes star midcourt Tyler Orr has taken her game to a new level in 2022.
“She’s been around the mark and really good but she’s growing with consistency and more experience at the level,” Illman said.
The 22-year-old former Collingwood player continues to push for the next step and is a Thunderbirds training partner and Southern Force squad member.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Sophie Casey
National under-19 representative Sophie Casey has forced her way into the Matrics line-up, featuring in every match since round three.
“She’s played a bit with us in Premier League before but not consistently, and she’s one of those up-and-coming ones that is really starting to find some form,” Illman said.
A state captain, SASI athlete and Scotch College student, Casey a bright future in netball with her athleticism and ability to read the play outstanding for her age group as a mid-court player.
METRO JETS
TOP PERFORMER: Poppy Gilfillan-Silk
Young goal shooter Poppy Gilfillan-Silk’s versatility in the attacking circle has given Metro Jets strong options in the attacking circle this season, according to coach Trudy Barker.
“Her shooting is unbelievable – I think she’s in the 80 to 90 per cent range – and she’s got quite a diverse shot,” Barker said.
“She’s trying to develop her skills at goal attack a lot more as well.”
BREAKOUT TALENT: Monet Lyle
While the 2022 campaign hasn’t gone exactly to plan for the Jets it has given opportunities for talents such as Gilfillan-Silk and emerging midcourt Monet Lyle to shine.
“Monet’s a unique wing attack and they’re hard to come by,” Barker said.
“She plays that role really, really well and is very dynamic in that sense.”
NEWTON JAGUARS
TOP PERFORMER: Brooke McDonnell
The Jaguars reigning best and fairest, midcourter Brooke McDonnell has continued where she left off last season as a driving force in the attack line.
“She’s always running, a very hard worker,” Newton coach Alana House said.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Taylor Breen
There’s been some promising signs for Newton Jaguars so far and wing defence Taylor Breen has been one of them.
The Whyalla product has been a find for the Jaguars, playing every match this season in her first Premier League campaign.
“She’s proving to be really strong in defence, going for those loose balls and she just doesn’t give up,” House said.
OAKDALE
TOP PERFORMER: Jordan Vivian
It’s been a strong season for fifth-placed Oakdale and captain Jordan Vivian has been key to propelling the side right into the mix for finals.
“Jordan’s very reliable, experience and performs at a high level week-in-week-out,” Oakdale coach Vanessa Dempsey said.
The strong defender is part of the Southern Force ANC squad.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Paris Sinclair
After swapping Premier League clubs from Tango to Oakdale in the search for greater opportunity, Paris Sinclair has burst through to play every senior game for her new team this season.
“Paris came to us looking for more league time and has already shown she’s got some outstanding skill sets and attributes,” Dempsey said.
“She’s already showing some great form and I’m really excited to see where she can take our netball.”
SOUTH ADELAIDE
TOP PERFORMER: Ashleigh Bray
Ashleigh Bray, alongside defensive circle partner Brenna McKay, has helped catapult the Panthers to fourth spot on the ladder with the third best goals against record in the competition.
“Our defence end has been amazing, they’ve done an outstanding job this season,” South coach Dani Johnson said.
“They’ve really knuckled down and done the hard work to let our goalies shine at the other end.”
BREAKOUT TALENT: Maggie Kerr
Goal shooter Maggie Kerr has emerged in 2022 as another key to South’s strong performances, averaging nearly 32 goals per game off the back of winning the Premier League reserves MVP award in 2021.
“Her road back to playing Premier League has been pretty different with injury and working her way back through the processes,” Johnson said.
“She’s been so solid and gives the opposition great headaches if they don’t match up with her well.”
TANGO
TOP PERFORMER: Charlotte Veart
Charlotte Veart made her Premier League debut back in 2016 but Tango coach Jackie Blyth believes she’s still on the rise.
After taking out the club’s best and fairest last season, midcourter Veart – daughter of Adelaide United coach Carl Veart – has continued on with Tango sitting nicely in third place on the ladder.
“She’s having the season of her career I believe," Blyth said.
BREAKOUT TALENT: Eliza Riggall
Possessing an impressive vertical leap and an ability to impact the game, Eliza Riggall is one to watch from the Tango ranks.
The under-19 state squad member has made waves at the club already and has featured in seven Premier League matches so far.
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