Five things we learned: SSN Round 1

By Sophie Taylor

The new Suncorp Super Netball season is finally in full swing, and one team has already proven why they could be the team to beat in season 2024.

While that side stamped its authority as a league powerhouse, a number of fresh faces stepped out on court and new signings proved handy pick ups at their new clubs.

These are the five things we learned across the first weekend of Suncorp Super Netball action.

NEW SIGNINGS SHINE

New-look combinations were the talk of the town in round one, with plenty of fresh faces suiting up.

The West Coast Fever added five new faces to its squad, but seemed almost unstoppable against a reasonably stable GIANTS outfit.

Fever recruit Shanice Beckford starred against Jamaican teammate Jodi-Ann Ward, while Kelsey Browne injected plenty of speed to the Fever’s new-look attack.

Romelda Aiken-George was impressive in her first official match for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, putting up 48 goals alongside debutant Lauren Frew, who made her presence felt with 10 goals and 13 goal assists.

At the other end, Tippah Dwan flourished in her return to Queensland Firebirds' purple with 18 goals (five Suncorp Super Shots) to her name.

Melbourne Vixens talent Zara Walters starred on debut and proved she is more than capable of holding her spot with 26 goal assists and 40 feeds to her name, while Sophie Garbin and returnee Rudi Ellis also played out the full 60 minutes in spectacular fashion.

All 10 Mavericks took the court against the Vixens, with Eleanor Cardwell looking well at home at John Cain Arena and Molly Jovic impressing in her new kit.

Elsewhere, the new-look Sunshine Coast Lightning did not skip a beat on home turf, with new signings aplenty and little issue against the stability of the NSW Swifts.

INTERNATIONAL COMBINATIONS DOMINATE

Suncorp Super Netball round one featured the return of several international pairings who helped their sides over the line when the going got tough.

The West Coast Fever unleashed goal attack Beckford alongside compatriot Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and showcased just what the duo are capable of.

The new-look combination shone from the very start, with Beckford’s flair and speed complementing Fowler-Nembhard’s composure.

Similarly, the Origin Diamonds combination of Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin proved crucial for the Melbourne Vixens.

Garbin starred in her new colours with 42 goals at 91%, while Austin was elusive as ever with 19 goals (five Suncorp Super Shots) and three gains.

Sunshine Coast Lightning secured the services of Liz Watson over the off-season, and the Origin Diamonds captain did not skip a beat in her new colours.

Watson (29 goal assists and 45 feeds) paired effortlessly with goal shooter Cara Koenen, who shot a whopping 50 goals from 53 attempts.

DOMINANT PERFORMANCES, DONE DIFFERENTLY

West Coast Fever have – perhaps surprisingly – rocketed to the top of the SSN ladder following a huge 84-65 victory over the GIANTS.

The team in green flew out of the gates in an enormous opening quarter between the two sides, before consolidating in the second quarter to hold an 11-goal lead at half-time.

While not an unassailable deficit, the GIANTS just could not work their way back into the hard-fought clash and seemed to lack the energy they needed to mark a comeback.

Comparatively, the Sunshine Coast Lightning got the job done against the NSW Swifts in an enormous way but were forced to wait until the final quarter to really showcase their full potential.

With just three goals in it at three quarter time, the Lightning kept NSW Swifts to just 11 in the final quarter, as recruit Courtney Bruce fired up and collected three of her five gains (four intercepts) in the final term.

Despite some fresh faces to the squad, the Lightning proved their newcomers – young and old – will fight to the end, as they utilised their entire squad to run out the victory.

VIXENS CLAIM MELBOURNE BRAGGING RIGHTS… THIS TIME

The Melbourne Vixens and Melbourne Mavericks went head-to-head to begin their 2024 seasons, and that matchup did not disappoint. 

Despite missing Jo Weston and Hannah Mundy, it was the Vixens that came out on top after flying out of the gates and using their tried and tested combinations to overpower the Mavs.

But it was no easy feat, with the Mavericks challenging the Vixens every step of the way and impressing with their continuous hunt on the ball.

While the Vixens retained control throughout a physical matchup, the Mavericks have had more than their fair share of injury woes coming into their debut season and put up a strong fight to only go down by seven goals.

Kim Jenner was out hunting for the Mavericks, coming up with two critical intercepts against Origin Diamond Austin.

Vixens newcomer Walters held her own against another Origin Diamond in Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter, while the rotation of Tayla Fraser and Maisie Nankivell gave Vixens wing defence Kate Eddy plenty to think about.

Overall, the Mavericks proved they will not be an easy beat – and will be out hunting for redemption next time around.

TOP STATS

Fowler-Nembhard topped the stats sheet for Nissan Net Points in round one, sitting on a comfortable 151.5 and 30 points ahead of Watson in second.

Fowler also sits atop the leaderboard for goals and attempts with 67 goals from 68 attempts to her name, while Sophie Dwyer put up the most Suncorp Super Shots and attempts with nine from 15.

Aiken-George topped the offensive rebounds tally with nine, while Emily Mannix topped the defensive category for the same stat, with four rebounds to open her season.

Unsurprisingly, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey sits atop the leaderboard for intercepts with six to her name already, while also sitting equal-first for deflections with teammate Latanya Wilson (eight apiece).

In a massive round for midcourt efforts, Alice Teague-Neeld picked up 33 goal assists to top the leaderboard ahead of Watson (29) and Walters (26).

NSW Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley racked up 34 centre pass receives, just two ahead of Watson, as goal attack Beckford settled for third on the table with 31 to her name.