Super Netball 2022: The player every club can’t live without

Every Super Netball club is build around more than one player. But when it comes to winning titles, having a superstar leading the charge can make a huge difference. See our full guide.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: Liz Watson of the Vixens looks to pass during the round two Super Netball match between Sydney Swifts and Melbourne Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena on April 02, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

When Sam Wallace crashed to the pine at Ken Rosewall Arena last week, Swifts fans had their hearts in their mouths.

Their thoughts, first and foremost, were with Wallace as she sustained what was immediately obvious as a serious and potentially season-ending injury.

But thoughts would eventually have turned to the fortune of their team and its ability to defend its Super Netball premiership without such an integral cog.

Wallace has been key to both the Swifts’ premierships in the past three years – and the club’s chances of defending its title are dire if they are unable to find a star replacement.

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Training partner Sophie Fawns, just 18, was elevated into the role for the Round 2 clash against Vixens, with a supportive Wallace watching on from the bench.

In her debut game Fawns had an 83 per cent shot accuracy, netting 15 goals and one super shot.

Fawns has once again been named as the temporary replacement player for Wallace for the Round 3 match up with Magpies.

With Sophie Garbin having moved to Collingwood in the off-season, there’s no star waiting in the wings for the Swifts – despite the quality emerging talent pushing through.

Occasionally clubs have the depth to cover for such an incident – as the Giants did last year when teen ace Sophie Dwyer stepped up to help the club to the grand final after Keira Austin’s season-ending injury in Round 1.

But often, the situation is dire. We take a look at the players your club can’t do without.

Ash Brazill is the linchpin of Collingwood’s team.

Adelaide Thunderbirds

Shamera Sterling

The Jamaican goalkeeper is one of the best defenders not only in Super Netball but in the world.

Led the league in intercepts last year and was in the top three for deflections, gains and defensive rebounds. But it’s the fear Sterling instils in opponents that is her real strength, having the ability to change the way shooters play in the goal circle in a way that cannot be replicated by her teammates.

Collingwood Magpies

Ash Brazill

Probably the most balanced team in the league, the Magpies are the most equipped to deal with a big name going down given their depth across the court. Brazill though, brings something else to the table with an enthusiasm, speed and competitive spirit that is matched by few. Versatile enough to play across all three midcourt positions, the absence of the Diamonds ace would be felt deeply.

Jo Harten is a key figure for the Giants.

Shamera Stirling of the Thunderbirds blocks Nat Medhurst.

Giants Netball

Jo Harten

The Giants dealt with this very situation last year after losing Diamonds goaler Kiera Austin to an ACL injury in Round 1. On that occasion, they were able to bring Sophie Dwyer into the starting side, with the then-teen’s talent shining through as she joined Harten in the goal circle to help the Giants into the grand final. Harten though is more that just her game. The England Roses representative has become the heart and soul of the Giants side and is almost impossible to replace.

Melbourne Vixens

Liz Watson

A quick look at what happened to the Vixens last year when Watson was sidelined would send shivers through the spine of any Melbourne supporter. On top of the retirement of a pair of international shooters, Watson’s absence killed the Vixens’ finals chances. While they’ve recruited well and are arguably stronger across the court than last year, Watson brings another dimension to the game.

Jhaniele Fowler is arguably the most dominant player in Super Netball.

Steph Wood.

Queensland Firebirds

Gretel Bueta

Already without international Romelda Aiken-George, who will miss the season on maternity leave the Firebirds cannot afford to lose Bueta, who brings so much more than the ability to score goals. A workhorse around the court, it’s the little things that Bueta does – centre pass receives, circle feeds and goal assists – that make her such an integral and irreplaceable member of the team.

Sunshine Coast Lightning

Steph Wood

The player most likely to have been nominated just a few months ago would be Karla Pretorius, the Lightning captain who will miss the season while on maternity leave. Without her, the Lightning simply cannot afford to lose Wood. Not only one of the best goalers in the country – especially from super shot range – Wood possesses arguably the best netball brain in the business and will be the key if the Lightning are to make a sixth consecutive finals series.

West Coast Fever

Jhaniele Fowler

The four-time Super Netball player of the year is arguably the most dominant player in the league and perhaps the one that is the biggest focus of her team’s game plan. The ultimate team game, netball relies on players across the court but Fowler dominates her side’s output like no other and the without her, the Fever’s season would be in peril.

Originally published as Super Netball 2022: The player every club can’t live without