Super Netball 2023: Crystal ball predictions for the new season
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have never made the final four, but there is a real buzz that they can finally arrive this year. See all the predictions for the Super Netball season.
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With the new Super Netball season just days away, News Corp netball writer Emma Greenwood looks into the crystal ball to examine the burning issues in the game.
With one of the closest seasons on record expected, a World Cup on the horizon and a new CPA to be negotiated, what can we expect from season seven of the world’s toughest netball league?
WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER NETBALL TITLE?
West Coast Fever
Seems a safe call after their breakthrough premiership last season but the Fever are far from assured of back-to-back titles, something that only one team has done in the Super Netball era.
Season 2022 was the closest on record but this year is shaping as an even tighter contest, with any team capable of creating an upset on their day. Plenty of sides are capable of winning the title but the belief Fever will take from last year’s campaign, coupled with the consistency of their group – they have made just one change to pick up former Diamonds squad member Kim Jenner – marks them as the team to beat.
BIGGEST IMPROVERS
Adelaide Thunderbirds
There have been many false dawns for the T-Birds since the inception of Super Netball but the once proud club has stumbled at every hurdle and never made the final four. But there’s a buzz around the South Australians this season – and not just from within.
Their recruitment of England shooter Eleanor Cardwell has been a masterstroke, not just for her ability with the ball in hand but her addition as a mature head in one of the youngest teams in the league. Finals showing at the pre-season Team Girls Cup had the majority of captains rating them as genuine contenders.
WHO WINS THE LEAGUE MVP?
Shamera Sterling, Thunderbirds
It’s tough to go past the Jamaican keeper – arguably the best defender in the world at the moment. Watching her go up against the best shooters in world netball week after week is a treat for fans. She’s also one of the yardsticks against which potential Diamonds World Cup goalers will be measured, with coach Stacey Marinkovich and her selectors analysing how well Australia’s shooters are able to compete against a player that could have a massive say in which team takes out the pinnacle event in South Africa later this year.
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
Matilda McDonell, Giants
Thrust into the starting line-up last year after the retirement of Sam Poolman, McDonell grew into the role as the season progressed, learning to balance an enthusiasm that presented a foul risk early in the year with growing skill and experience that left her an emerging force in the circle by the finals and then a key member of Australia’s victorious Fast5 team.
BEST PERFORMING ROOKIE
Remi Kamo, Firebirds
At 29, Kamo is one of the oldest rookies in the competition but the former Brisbane North Cougars player showed enough in the pre-season Team Girls Cup to suggest she’s more than ready for the opportunity. Kamo will be pitched straight into the starting seven after the departure of England international Eboni Usoro-Brown (retirement) and Kim Jenner (Fever). A rangy 180cm, the goalkeeper will take plenty of confidence from the performance of last year’s Firebirds debutants Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran, who both finished the year making a Diamonds debut.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR ADMINISTRATION
Negotiating the new CPA
Netball Australia’s financial issues are real. But so is the threat from a growing range of semi-professional sports that have more funds and more opportunity to throw at their players. The introduction of Super Netball provided a forum for the world’s best players and has been a revelation in performance terms. But if there is not some give from the governing body – most likely in the form of a revenue share agreement – tense times are ahead. And with every player in the league off contract at the end of the season and a World Cup just weeks after the grand final, a deal needs to be done quickly.
COACH UNDER THE MOST PRESSURE
Tania Obst
It would be easiest to point the finger at Firebirds newbie Bec Bulley, especially after events of the past week and the tense parting of the ways with highly-rated assistant Sara Francis-Bayman. But Netball Queensland officials are well aware the rookie mentor has a big job ahead of her, especially with a young list and the loss of star shooter Gretel Bueta and she will be given leeway. But with all the talent and assistance at her disposal, it is Obst that is under the most pressure to produce results. The T-Birds underwent an extensive review in the off-season before reappointing Obst for another two years and there will be some tough conversations ahead if the club is not in the finals mix this year.
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