By Damien Stannard
There has rarely been a better time for moving shooters in Suncorp Super Netball.
The evolving tactical demands and speed of the game at national league level have created fresh opportunities for teams to re-think how they attack.
NSW Swifts coach Briony Akle’s attack line remains under construction following the season-ending injury to Sam Wallace.
Already she has shown an inclination towards a mobile shooting circle featuring Helen Housby and 18-year-old Sophie Fawns.
“We can’t replace Sam Wallace. And there’s no other seven-foot shooters standing about,” Akle said.
“There’s no secrets that we’ve got to change our style of game and have a faster, moving circle.
“It’s going back to that more traditional style of game.”
West Coast Fever and the Queensland Firebirds are the exceptions to that trend inside the top four. Both have towering post players as their strike weapons.
Yet if you look closely at the Fever, they can hurt teams in a multitude of ways.
Sasha Glasgow has enjoyed her strongest start to a season, leading the league for goal assists, and her accuracy at goal attack means opponents can not afford to double-team Jhaniele Fowler.
The undefeated Melbourne Vixens have the luxury of three mobile shooters – Mwai Kumwenda, Rahni Samason and Kiera Austin – and have been reaping the benefits.
Momentum is also building in Adelaide where the Thunderbirds have eased the scoring pressure on Lenize Potgieter by rotating two fast, cunning players through goal attack.
Tippah Dwan’s arrival has been a blessing and her partnership with Georgie Horjus has been electric so far.
With the COVID-19 troubles hopefully behind them, Giants Netball can employ a moving circle.
But back to the Swifts.
Time is on their side to regroup after the loss of Wallace and they have already sought input from former national team attacker Natalie Avellino.
Avellino was one of Australia’s craftiest goalers and it was no coincidence she has been working as a consultant coach with the Swifts.
“What’s old is new again,” Akle said. “We’ve been talking about that for a while now and that’s what the Diamonds used to play like.
“It’s fast, moving netball and that’s kind of exciting. And it’s great that that’s the direction the game could be moving in because it gives us so many more options.”
