By Stephanie Smarrelli
The 2024 season of Suncorp Super Netball is shaping up to be a wild ride.
A lot has changed since last year’s grand final.
A number of teams said goodbye to significant players while others recruited strongly as they prepare to chase premiership glory.
While most teams are looking to begin their new chapter, there’s one team still writing their first.
THE BATTLE FOR MELBOURNE
This year the league is set to get the biggest shake-up Suncorp Super Netball has ever experienced with the injection of the newly formed Melbourne Mavericks ready to make their mark on the competition.
And the new kids in the class, are ready to storm the castle.
They'll have a big task on their hands in Round 1 when they arrive at what has traditionally been the Melbourne Vixens' fortress (John Cain Arena).
But with a mix of international talent and local flair, the Mavericks are not fazed by their unconventional beginnings.
The Mavericks are set to face the Vixens for the first time in Round 1. Gearing up to face the Vixens for the first time, the Mavs will put up a strong fight.
But they’ve been dealt a huge blow with both Sasha Glasgow and Lauren Moore suffering long-term injuries during the pre-season.
Rolene Streutker has been elevated to the Mavericks team of 10 to replace Glasgow while Shimona Jok has been named as the side's eleventh player.
The replacement for Lauren Moore is yet to be name but training partner South Aussie Jessie Grenvold would be in the mix.
The Vixens lineup changed a bit in the offseason with Origin Diamonds star Liz Watson choosing to move after 10 years with the club. In her place Hannah Mundy will have to step up as will first-year player Zara Walters who took the competition by storm at the Suncorp Team Girls Cup.
The Vixens also lost talented defender Olivia Lewis who was drawn in by the promise of the Mavericks. Her replacement Rudi Ellis plays a similar game style to Lewis and complements the Vixens defensive unit of Jo Weston, Emily Mannix and Kate Eddy.
Set to go up against her old club for the first time there will be no love lost when Lewis hits the court for the Mavericks.
The Vixens also recruited Sophie Garbin in the shooting circle, an important move with stalwart Mwai Kumwenda to spend the season on the sidelines as she prepares to welcome her first child. Garbin joins Origin Diamonds teammate Kiera Austin in what will be a formidable shooting circle for the Mavericks’ Lewis and Kim Jenner to halt.
Replacing Kumwenda’s position in the Vixens team is youngster Lily Graham with Emily Andrew named as the side’s eleventh player.
Lily Graham has been elevated to the Vixens squad replacing Kumwenda who is pregnant with her first child.The Mavericks’ big star power sits with last year’s Grand Final MVP Eleanor Cardwell as well as captain Amy Parmenter.
The two stars sit on opposing teams on the international stage but will need to unite on court to lead the Mavericks as they find their ground and work to stake their claim on the competition.
Cardwell will have her work cut out for her with the Vixens’ defenders matching up well against the shooter.
Parmenter will have a tight contest on her hands in the midcourt no matter which Vixen she comes up against with Kate Moloney and Mundy both fierce competitors when it comes to chasing down a ball and the unknown of Walters poses a fresh challenge.
Parmenter will be aided by 2023 premiership players Maisie Nankivell, Tayla Fraser and Molly Jovic. The trio of midcourters still crafting their individual games to take themselves from good to great.
There’s no crystal ball that can predict what will happen when the two sides meet for the first time but we know one thing for certain, you can’t miss this historic clash.
HOW THE REST OF ROUND 1 IS SHAPING UP
Starting with a bang, the GIANTS will host the West Coast Fever on Saturday night to launch season 2024.
GIANTS recruit Sam Winders will look to hit the ground running against a Fever lineup that is vastly different to the side that finished third last year. Fever have also dipped into the international talent pool bringing English defender Fran Williams and Jamaican goaler Shanice Beckford to the league.
Beckford is one of a handful of fresh faces at the Fever. Next on the agenda, the Adelaide Thunderbirds begin to mount their premiership defence. The side from South Australia is determined to prove that they can do it again, they’ll meet with a rejuvenated Queensland Firebirds who want to make their mark in 2024.
Rounding out the first round of the season the Sunshine Coast Lightning will host the NSW Swifts up on the Sunshine Coast. The Swifts fresh off their Suncorp Team Girls Cup win will be aiming to put last year’s Grand Final loss behind them as they aim to go one step further in 2024.
While Belinda Reynold’s Sunshine Coast Lightning will be out to prove they can match it with one of the best with their new recruits including Watson and Courtney Bruce expected to have a strong impact on game day.
