Top 10 players to watch in the Cairns Netball grand finals

Phoenix Fierce will be out to defend their Cairns Netball Senior Division 1 title against WGC Sharks on Wednesday night. These are the players to watch.

PHOENIX Fierce will be out to defend their Cairns Netball Senior Division 1 title against 2019 premiers WGC Sharks on Wednesday night.

Here are four players to watch during the 2020 grand final rematch at the Martyn Street Sports Park.

PHOENIX FIERCE

Eden Cassidy – C/WA/WD

Sister of Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Mahalia Cassidy, the Northern Rays mid-courter has proven to be a key piece in the Fierce’s ladder-leading season.

Look to Cassidy’s x-factor play to generate big offensive opportunities for her side when rotated into wing attack – one of her primary roles in the Sapphire Series.

Phoenix's Jade Kennedy. Picture: Brendan Radke

Jade Kennedy – GD/GK

A year after switching to netball from basketball, Kennedy hasn’t lost a step in her defensive capabilities.

Against an equally talented Sharks shooting, Kennedy’s grand final experience with the Cairns Dolphins will provide a boost to a minted Fierce side yet to experience the big game.

WGC SHARKS

Michaela Kadlecek – C/WA/WD

Standing opposite Cassidy will be her Rays teammate Kadlecek – an equally deadly piece in the mid-court.

After a difference-making game against the ­Leprechauns in the ­preliminary final a week before, the Sharks’ MVP’s aggression will be relied upon one more time for a shot at the premiership.

Sharks' Michaela Kadlecek. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Genevieve Aisthorpe – GS

Once the ball enters the Sharks’ circle, watch out for Aisthorpe.

The shooter will take any high balls that come her way; her sure-handedness in this regard will be essential for the Sharks to pull off the upset.

OLD VS NEW GUARD VOL. II

In their second season as a team, Phoenix Fierce will be chasing back-to-back titles, but this grand final team is vastly different to the squad which won last year.

Only two players from the side’s 2020 season suited up this year; but they felt little pressure, with Fierce co-captain Natalie Calleja saying the new look team took it one step at a time.

“At the start of the season, we didn’t know how we’d go because we have a completely different team,” she said. “We just worked really hard in working together as a unit and playing our own game.

“Towards the end of the season, we’re now a little more nitty gritty in what the other teams are doing, especially the Sharks.”

For Sharks captain and recently inducted club life member Amanda Barton, Wednesday night’s grand final was all about reasserting the team’s 2019 premiership winning form and returning as top dogs in the league.

“We’re used to clubs popping up all over,”

“We’re proud to be Sharks – we’re traditional, we have a great club atmosphere and we’ve worked hard on that since the club’s inception.”

Wednesday night’s senior one grand final will be shown live on the Cairns Post website from 7.20pm.

JUNIORS

U12A: Phoenix Magic v WGC Sharks 7

Phoenix Magic

Nahla Moke – WA/C

A Cairns representative and the youngest player on Magic, Moke’s ability to feed and essentially ferry the ball to her side’s offensive third will be a key point of difference.

Netball runs in the family for the Mokes, with Nahla’s mother Naomi as well as father Andrew notable stalwarts of Phoenix Sports and Culture Club.

Ruby Croxford with the Sharks under-11 team. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

WGC Sharks 6

Ruby Croxford – GD/C

Croxford spreads her skilled defensive play across both the mid-court and defensive third.

Her versatility in both areas allows for key stoppages and turnovers, something the Sharks will need against a Magic side known for its ability to run up the scoreboard.

U14A: Cyclones 3 v Brothers Leprechauns 9

Cyclones 3

Asha Lynch-Simmons

Three hour journeys to play for the Cyclones hasn’t slowed down Lynch-Simmons on the defensive end.

Along with goal defence Capri Flegler, the pair have proven nigh on unstoppable in the circle, limiting final opponents Leprechauns 9 to their fewest points during the regular season.

Action from last year’s Cairns Netball Association Junior 12-under Division A grand final between Phoenix Mercury and Brothers Leprechauns. Picture: Stewart McLean

Brothers Leprechauns 9

Isabella Grace – GA

Part of a Cairns rep-heavy Leprechauns team, Grace will prove vital in the side’s attack as it attempts to outscore the Cyclones.

Expect Grace to perform at her best along with all other players who’ll represent the city next week.

U16A: Brothers Leprechauns 7 v FGF Cutters

Brothers Leprechauns 7

Anessah Oakley – GD

Along with twin sister and attacker Samaya Oakley, Anessah’s height will be relied upon heavily for the Leps’ circle defence.

Oakley is a representative of both Cairns and the northern under-16 team as well, making her calibre of play one to be feared by the Cutters.

Anessah [left] and Samaya [right] Oakley with Charlotte Jonsen at the SSN in 2020. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

FGF Cutters

Caitlin Jackson – GD

Communication is key in netball, and Jackson has that down to a tee, able to co-ordinate the game and manage her defensive third well.

This will be vital as the Cutters attempt to stifle tall Samaya Oakley at the circle.

WATCH THE FINALS

The Cairns Post has partnered with Cairns Netball Association to provide live coverage of five grand finals this Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Subscribers will be able to catch every minute of the action on Court 5 at the Martyn Street Sports Park, with three junior deciders to be shown live on the Cairns Post website on Tuesday night, followed by two senior grand finals on Wednesday night.

Viewers will need a Cairns Post subscription to access the livestream.

Originally published as Top 10 players to watch in the Cairns Netball grand finals