Netball NSW Premier League: Meet every player in the U23s, Open grand finals
NSW’s elite netball talents are on show this weekend in the grand finals of the Premier League. We take a look at every player set to take the court in the U23s and Open divisions.
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It all comes down to this.
The Netball NSW Premier League grand finals are here with GWS and Panthers going to battle in the U23s and North Shore United taking on Manly Warringah in the Opens decider.
We take a look at every player set to line up across both divisions this weekend.
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UNDER 23s
GWS FURY
2nd, 13-5, 107%
Booked their place in the grand final after downing the Panthers by a goal in the qualifying final. They hold the split 2-1 over their rivals.
“We’ve said all along that both teams are deserving. We’re both competitively great. The semi final came down to the last 30 seconds,” coach Nardia Trevor said.
“It’s going to come down to who shows up, who’s switched on and who can handle the pressure. Skill-wise we’re even. Our strength is how we close out games.”
ATTACK
GS – Eve Vaitusi
Vice-captain of the team and one of the older players in the side. Has strong body-sense and holding. A smart player in the attacking circle.
GA – Ava Moller
A Wagga girl who moved to Sydney for netball. Part of the ACT U19s side. Has a lot of speed, flair and is quite tall. A great target with her move and hold.
Sub - Jenna Richards
The pocket rocket from Griffith who can fill GA and WA. Travels a long distance to play. Her vertical is amazing and she’s a physically strong, dynamic player.
Sub - Alannah Hardman
One of the youngest players in the team at 16. A long-range shooter who is cool, calm and collected.
MIDCOURT
WA - Montana Vaitusi
Started as a training partner but was elevated due to how well she was doing. Has a smart connection with her sister Eve in the attacking circle.
WA/C - Zyon Ligaliga-Tonise
Part of the 17s state team and has good height for a WA. Has flair and good touch on the ball.
C - Tynisha Faasisila
From Newcastle and in the NSW U19s team, travelling down the highway to play. Has amazing speed, vision and has settled well as a great reader of the game.
WD - Marley Applin
Moved from Orange to pursue her netball career. Made the NSW team and Australian U17s merit side. Does a lot of groundwork in defence and brings attacking flair.
DEFENCE
GD - Robyn Towson
The captain of the side and twin sister of Panthers GS Kaylin. At 23 this is her last year in the division. Brings experience and is a real hustler on defence.
GK - Kiera Piggott
From the Central Coast and has been described as the team’s ‘baby giraffe’. Not even 17 but has a wealth of experience and has improved out of sight this year.
Sub - Hannah Whitbread
Really good aerial wise. Has adapted to a lot of different structures they’ve gone with this year. A huge asset and can come from anywhere on the court.
Sub - Jewel Goggins
An opens contracted player who has qualified for the team. Good height and has brought back experience from the higher division. Upsets the attack.
PANTHERS
1st, 15-1-2, 117.69%
After they slipped up in the qualifier, earned their spot in the GF after a hot start saw them keep enough of a buffer over UTS Randwick.
“We had an injury in the last two minutes and had to reshuffle. There was a massive fire in the belly and they smashed it against UTS,” coach Jenny Barsby said.
“We were quick out of the blocks. The Fury are a dogged one-on-one team. It will be about who can settle first and play the 60 minutes with the least errors.”
ATTACK
GS - Kaylin Towson
A strong and accurate player who is versatile. She can mix it up, is good at reading what’s in front of her and is strong under the post.
GA - Hinemoa Boylan
Very clever with her attacking moves. Likes to throw in a no-look pass and has a good connection with Towson in the circle.
Sub - Laura Cook
A tall and agile player who is good on the hold and shoots with a good accuracy.
MIDCOURT
WA - Charniah Shepherd
A very strong and quick player who has a good connection with her frontline. Is able to turn over plenty of ball in defence.
C - Chloe Baker
Lightning quick with an insane change of direction. Her biggest strength is her ability to feed the circle from pretty much anywhere.
WD - Bella Hall
A strong player in one-on-one situations. Players find it hard to get around her and her transition is good.
Sub - Kyla Thompson
Thompson is strong in the air and her defensive work in the midcourt is exceptional with hands-over pressure.
Sub - Natalia Ned
An up-and-coming midcourt player who has very good footwork and is quick on the floor.
DEFENCE
GD - Eleanor Alatini
Her height and ability to get up for the high ball is good. She has a good hands-over presence and transitions the court well.
GK - Sophia Meehan
A strong presence in the circle. Her jump over the shot is strong and attackers find it hard to get past her.
Sub - Sydney Robins
Robins is very strong on the jump. Anything that goes over she is grabbing for her team.
Sub - Indigo Kelly
Very strong in the one-on-one and has a good ability to tag and stick with her opposition player.
OPENS
NORTH SHORE UNITED
1st, 16-2, 134.38%
Defeated Manly Warringah by just one goal in the qualifying final, taking their record to 2-1 against the Sapphires this season.
Their coach Bec Bulley knows what it takes to get it done on the big stage, winning ANZ Championships and a World Cup as a player, and leading North Shore to the Premier League title in 2020.
“We’re really excited about the grand final. On Monday at training we all spoke about our experience or advice received,” Bulley said.
“It’s an amazing game. We want to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy it. We’ve prepared well and it was nice to have the weekend off.”
ATTACK
GS - Lauren Woods
A really strong target in the circle who often draws double teams from the opposition, but she is still a very reliable shooter.
GA - Olivia Harris
Really stepped up in the semi-final who has great feeds into the circle and recognises when to get in. Confident in the post.
Sub - Sarah Corfield
The most experienced player in the North Shore side who can slot into GA and brings a calm, smart presence there.
MIDCOURT
WA - Abbey Baker
A very dynamic player at WA who excels on the court with her changes in direction and gives good service into the circle.
C - Eliza Burton
The glue that holds everything together. Works extremely hard in attack and defence. Is always contesting and always an option.
WD - Charlotte Smith
Is quite tall for a WD. Has lovely hands up high, good vision and possesses a high release in attack.
Sub - Ella Johnson
Great at changing up the pace. Is a steady player who is patient and provides a good change-up.
DEFENCE
GD - Brooke Patterson
A very smart player with a great read of the game. Does a good job of contesting and recognises when to come off her line.
GK - Charlotte Raleigh and Violet Wetsteyn
Create a formidable one-two punch at the GK role. They read the play well and both bring something different when on the floor. They can change it up and give the opposition headaches in various ways/
MANLY WARRINGAH SAPPHIRES
2nd, 15-1-2, 114.57%
Before their qualifying final loss, they were undefeated since round 10. Needed extra time, but was able to down Sutherland 71-68 in the prelim to get their shot at revenge against North Shore.
“We were really happy with the performance (against North Shore). We identified a few areas we can improve. To be so close and still have room for improvement is good,” coach Mel Clarke said.
“We had a nice lead against Sutherland but they came out firing in the fourth. It’s pleasing that we regained our composure again in extra time.
“Hopefully we can put it together and execute in a high-pressure situation like a grand final.”
ATTACK
GS – Millie Tonkin
A great target for Manly. Shoots a high volume and accurate when she does it. Performed well in the finals so far and is confident on a big stage.
GA – Kiara Bloor
A mobile playmaker in the attacking third. Has a nice connection and works well with Tonkin. Can share the shooting load and if one is doubled, the other will step up.
MIDCOURT
WA – Latika Tombs
The Manly captain who is a 10-year player with the franchise. Has a steady hand and calmness under pressure. Give off pinpoint passes.
C – Audrey Little
Has been at the Sapphires for a number of years and was a Giants training partner this year. An exciting future prospect who has taken her game to a new level.
WD – Chelsea Mann
A versatile midcourt player who has nailed down the WD role. Important in slowing the opposition’s attack down to give her defenders more time to intercept.
DEFENCE
GD – Eugenie Little
Has shown versatility in the midcourt but holding down GD in the finals. Combines well with Egan and that connection has been important. Works hard to get the ball back up the court.
GK – Eloise Egan
Shuts down the opposition’s target shooter. A beautiful reach over the shot and has worked hard on her positioning. Great in her lockdown role.
Sub - Allegra McDonald
A versatile defensive player who is the defending U23s MVP at Manly. Will step up if called upon and do a good job at it.
Originally published as Netball NSW Premier League: Meet every player in the U23s, Open grand finals
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