It was a season more tumultuous and turbulent than ever before. This year, eight teams made huge sacrifices, like all of us in the netball community, to allow the competition to continue.
Not only did it continue, the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season exceeded the expectations of us all.
The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. This year was for the glorious. It was for the few who could rise to the challenge of greatness week after week.
As we near the Australian Netball Awards, live Wednesday 8 December, we thought we would get some predictions from some notable names around the netball community.
First up, our Rising Star!
Cath Cox, Diamond #119 @CathCoxy
Pick: Sophie Dwyer
“Losing Kiera Austin in Round 1, she was thrown straight into the mix. And I think she could have definitely got in a state of panic, because there certainly was a lot of pressure on her.
But she got better and better and grew and grew as the season unfolded. She seemed to really love the big games and really declared herself as a queen of the Super Shot next to Harten.
“I also want to make special mention to a couple of others including Rahni Samason for the Vixens who I think made one of the best debuts I’ve ever seen. Then also Sunday Aryang, I know it’s not her first season but I think she’s just going to continue to be a defensive menace in years to come and that she’s only just scraped the surface of what she’s capable of.”
Erin Delahunty, Freelance Journalist @della79
Pick: Sunday Aryang
“Super Netball fans were introduced to Ethiopian-born Sunday Aryang in the hub season of 2020, when she forced her way into West Coast Fever’s starting seven after being added to the side’s extended squad. It was in 2021, at the tender of age of 20, that the rangey defender stamped her authority.
“Aryang, a product of the West Australian pathway, is a proven ball-winner and arguably the ‘cleanest’ circle defender in the league, ranking well down the list for the number of penalties she gives away. Her discipline means she remains in play more than most, giving her time to use her superb ability to read the play.”
Tommy Casha, Podcast Host: Behind the Bib @tommycasha
Pick: Sophie Dwyer
“Her cool, calm attitude on court seemed well beyond her years, given she is only 19. Sophie handled herself so well and was a big reason the Giants made it to the Grand Final.”
Jenny Sinclair, Managing Editor: Netball Scoop @summerhill1003
Pick: Sophie Dwyer
“Sophie Dwyer narrowly ranked ahead of Sunday Aryang in my opinion. While their inexperience showed at times, both athletes performed to a consistently high standard during the season and were rewarded with callups to the national squad.
“However, Dwyer's ability to fill Kiera Austin's shoes, following a season ending injury in Round 1, was the difference for me. With little expectation of court time this season, Dwyer stepped off the bench with immediate impact, and wasn't fazed by coming up against some of the toughest goal defences in the league.”
Joshua Wells, Editor: The Netball Post @joshuawells93
Pick: Sophie Dwyer
“This one virtually picks itself. Sophie’s meteoric rise through the ranks since former goal attack Kiera Austin went down has been an absolute pleasure to watch. After expecting to sit on the bench for much of the season, she was given a chance and took it with both hands as they say. She was a long-bomb queen, moved well and took pressure off Jo Harten which culminated in an SSN grand final. Now, she’s been picked as a Diamond.”
Brittany Carter, Journalist: ABC Sport @_BrittanyCarter
Pick: Sophie Dwyer
“Having watched Sophie play in the pre-season, I actually tipped her as one of the players back then to take out this award in 2021. That tip was purely based on the incredible form she was in, but even then, I don’t think anybody could have predicted the year she would have in Super Netball.
“Sophie made the transition from an impact player to a starting player look easy, and did so at the age of 19. Nothing ever seemed to really faze her! No matter how famous or more experienced her opponent was. I look forward to seeing her shoot long bombs with her trademark stone-faced non-celebration for many years to come.”
