Net Gains: The top five free agency targets a new team should target, round 10 previewed
With the Super Netball season coming to a close, club recruiters are already looking at who to bring it to bolster their team. Fox Netball commentator Madi Browne gives you her best five targets.
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With just five rounds remaining until the end of the season and every player in the league off contract at the end of the season, club recruitment managers are drawing up lists of targets to strengthen their sides for 2024.
We’ve put Fox Netball commentator Madi Browne to work to name the five players she’d target if running a club.
Does experience trump youth? Shooters dominate defenders or midcourters? Or is there a guaranteed formula for success?
I mean, you could go Jhaniele Fowler, because she’s so dominant,” Browne said of the five-time Super Netball player of the year.
“But if you’re a CEO right now and thinking of the future, you’re thinking, yeah, she’s great at the moment but she’s been around for a while and is not going to be around forever.
“So is it better to invest a little bit more time and have a little bit more solid work through some other positions that are maybe easier to replace that your bookends?”
In deciding on her top five, Browne took a leaf out of the book of Sunshine Coast foundation coach – now Silver Ferns mentor – Noeline Taurua, who went with a mix of youth and experience when recruiting for the Lightning.
“She had a core spine of main players in Geva (Mentor), (Laura) Langman and C-Bass (Caitlin Bassett),” Browne said of the goalkeeper, centre and goal shooter in the side that won the premiership in their first two years.
“Steph Wood was on the bench at Swifts and not getting a lot of court time, she pulled her in, pulled Kelsey (Browne) in, brought Laura Scherian in and then got Maddy McAuliffe and then got Karla (Pretorius).
“She had three to four core established, experienced stars and now, look at where Steph is, look at where Kelsey’s been. All of those players have shone on their own terms because they were surrounded by that mix of experience and youthfulness.”
Shamera Sterling
“You obviously want dominant bookends and I’m going to be (chasing) a Shamera Sterling before anything,” Browne said. “To win games, you’ve got to stop the goals from going in, so she’d definitely be up there.” Defensively, it’s hard to go past any Jamaican. I love Jodi(-Ann Ward),” Browne said of her former Collingwood teammate. Sterling though is setting the bar for defenders in the league and would be among the top targets of any team.
Helen Housby
After considering Steph Wood as her goal attack and primary playmaker, Browne eventually decided on star Swifts import Housby as her top goaler, perhaps given she is three years younger than her Sunshine Coast and Diamonds rival and would present a club with greater longevity. A player that thrives on the pressure of the contest and wants the ball in her hands at the pressure moment, Housby is a competitor who helps bring out the best in others and with the super shot becoming a more and more important part of the game, is valuable to any club.
Jamie-Lee Price
Browne had no hesitation in naming the Diamond her top midcourt pick – both for her current ability but also the potential she has for the future. “She’s got the future ahead of her but she’s also consolidated herself as a top player in the league,” Browne said. Believing it would be tough to lure Price away from the Giants, where she has played since the club’s inception, Browne hedged her bets, opting for Thunderbirds youngster Georgie Horjus as another midcourt option and a player who can swing into a shooting role.
Tayla Fraser
Browne said it was tough to go past the likes of new Diamond Amy Parmenter at wing defence. But she settled on Fraser, a player “sitting in the wings” for the Swifts, who always gets the job done when called upon. “I feel like she’ll be on the list of a fair few teams,” Browne said. “She’s not the starter but she comes on and does what she needs to do.” The 22-year-old can play in all three midcourt positions and is a role-playing fix-it woman that would compliment any list.
Matilda Garrett
“I think Tilly’s been outstanding this season,” Browne said of the Thunderbirds defender recently added to the Diamonds squad. While her shift to goal defence for Adelaide has paid dividends, Garrett can play all three defensive positions, with the height to play at goalkeeper and the mobility to push out to wing defence. Garrett beats out fellow 24-year-old, Olivia Lewis, who has shown she can hold her own as a starting goalkeeper in the league.
ROUND 10 MATCH PREVIEW (All times AEST)
SATURDAY
Giants Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning
Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, 5pm
All but mathematically already out of finals contention, both these teams are three wins off fourth place and need a miracle if they are to scrape into the playoffs. The dream ends officially for one of them today though. The Giants finished strongly last week to beat the Magpies and will defend their home court with plenty of confidence, while the Lightning head south after a deflating loss and need to rebound quickly.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
Umpires:
Melbourne Vixens v Adelaide Thunderbirds
John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 7pm
The match of the round pits first against fourth in what now becomes a battle in the race for a top-two finish and double chance in the finals. The Vixens finished poorly last week, despite hanging on to win, while the T-Birds head north with several players under an injury cloud in a key test of their depth and premiership credentials. Latanya Wilson owned Vixens captain Liz Watson last time they played and their battle will be key.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
Umpires:
SUNDAY
NSW Swifts v Collingwood Magpies
Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, 2pm
The Swifts showed their rise to the top four has been no fluke after pulling off one of Super Netball’s most difficult tasks – a win against the Fever in Perth – to push into the top two. On paper, this one looks like a simple challenge but the shock news this week the Magpies franchise is on its knees is likely to prompt a spirited response from the players, who are desperate for a win.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
Umpires:
West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds
RAC Arena, Perth, 4pm
The defending premiers have suffered three one-goal losses in their past four games and are likely to show the improving Firebirds no mercy when they meet in Super Netball’s 400th game since the competition’s foundation in 2017. The Fever were without Covid-stricken goaler Sasha Glasgow and midcourter Jess Anstiss last week and while they are likely to be back to full strength, they will be wary of the Firebirds, who sprung one of last season’s biggest upsets when West Australian product Donnell Wallam led them to a win at RAC Arena.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
Umpires:
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Originally published as Net Gains: The top five free agency targets a new team should target, round 10 previewed
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