There is no denying season 2022 was rough for the Sunshine Coast Lightning given the side won just four out of 14 matches.
The team's first win came in round 3 against the Adelaide Thunderbirds with Batcheldor nailing a super shot for the win.
While it might have been a tough year for the Lightning, that's not to say there weren't some highlights - and a lot of learnings to take into season 2023.
One of those highlights was the shooting prowess of Steph Wood and Cara Koenen who lit up the goal circle.
The Lightning also pulled off a win for the ages, defeating a then-faultless Melbourne Vixens in round 5 71 to 58, thanks to a suffocating second quarter that kept the Vixens to only 13 goals and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Lightning struck again in round 6 against the NSW Swifts and then again in round 11 against the Queensland Firebirds.
Speedster Laura Scherian worked her magic throughout the Lightning's midcourt. Scherian tallied up 183 goal assists and 234 centre pass receives in 2022.
Joining the Lightning having recovered from an ACL injury Tara Hinchliffe made her mark in defence stealing 20 rebounds from the opposition with 19 intercepts and 39 deflections also to her name.
GAMECHANGER
Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Wood’s experience showed throughout the season. She scored 47 super shots while teammate Cara Koenen's creative baseline drives helped her lead the way for the Lightning in terms of goals, slotting in 426.
Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Wood stepped up when her team needed it.LOOKING FORWARD
The Sunshine Coast Lightning have already been dealt a blow for next season with young gun Reilley Batcheldor injuring her ACL in August’s Australian Netball Championships.
On the flip side they’ll be boosted defensively with the return of Karla Pretorius who took 2022 off and welcomed a baby girl into her family.
Despite finishing last with the shooting skills of Wood and Koenen giving the Sunshine Coast Lightning the ability to quickly make up their opposition's lead, you can't count them out of the race for the 2023 trophy.
TEAM STATS
Ladder position: 8th
Wins: 4
Losses: 10
Best margin: 21
PLAYER STATS
Total Goals scored: Cara Koenen 426
Suncorp Super Shots scored: 47
Goal Assists: Steph Wood - 218
Interceptions: Tara Hinchliffe – 19
