Key squad changes:
In – Peace Proscovia, Phumza Maweni, Laura Langman
Out – Caitlin Bassett, Kelsey Browne, Geva Mentor, Erena Mikaere
Potential Starting 7:
GK – Phumza Maweni
GD – Karla Pretorius
WD – Madeline McAuliffe
C – Laura Langman
WA – Laura Scherian
GA – Stephanie Wood
GS – Peace Proscovia
It will be a very different Sunshine Coast Lightning that takes to the Melbourne Arena court to face the Magpies in week one to the one that won the Grand Final last August.
Caitlin Bassett, Geva Mentor, Kelsey Browne and Erena Mikaere all departed the club during the off-season, leaving coach Noeline Taurua with the massive task of rebuilding the squad.
First board of call, replacing the irreplaceable Bassett. In comes dominant Ugandan shooter Peace Proscovia from the English Superleague.
The Ugandan superstar is regarded as one of the best goal shooters in the world and will go to work with Australian Diamond Steph Wood and up-and-comer Cara Koenen.
Next, who can step in for midcourt workhorse Kelsey Browne? In comes the unstoppable Laura Langman, who returns to the Lightning after a year away from the sport.
She’ll be at the helm of an experienced group which includes Laura Scherian and Jacqueline Russell as well as the super exciting Madeline McAuliffe.
The outstanding defensive play of Mentor and Mikaere defined the Lightning teams of the past two seasons and will be sorely missed.
In comes the dynamic Phumza Maweni, who will join fellow South African international Karla Pretorius in defense.
There’s a lot of unknowns surrounding this team but, with so much talent on board and Noeline Taurua in the coach’s seat, it’s hard to write off the Sunshine Coast.
The Lightning open the 2019 season on the road against the Collingwood Magpies on April 27 at 5.30PM as part of a double header at Melbourne Arena. It will be a huge day of netball as all tickets will get fans access to both games.
For the full 2019 fixture, head here.
