WE gave it a crack with the football on Saturday, now it’s netball’s turn.
Six rounds is pretty early to decide a Team of the Year, but as mentioned above, we’re going to go ‘way too early’ with it.
Trying to fit 10 players into a team is a bit of a stretch and like, with the football side, there will be disagreements – guaranteed.
We found it hard not to put a number of Wentworth players into the line-up as there aren’t too many players who aren’t contributing when you’re undefeated.
In fact, bar one, the entire team is made up of players from the top four sides. Still, this ensures the side full of quality.
Let’s start in attack, where the number of note is 375. That’s how many goals Irymple’s Steph O’Loughlin and Wentworth’s Amanda Edwards have scored between them so far. An even 200 from the latter and 175 for the former.
That’s an average of 40 and 35 per match, respectively. It’s hard to ignore that attacking threat.
Edwards’ Wenty teammate Demi Wall slots in at wing attack. Her speed and ability to find space in traffic has been instrumental in her side’s ability to score quickly.
Imperials’ Alle Littore takes the coveted centre bib. As a taller player, her intercepting is warmly welcomed for her team across the court, and her vision makes her a good decision-maker.
The work rate of South Mildura captain Maddison Toms is close to unparalleled in the competition, and her ability to pick up a loose ball has her slotting in at wing defence.
Defenders are often unheralded, but it’s hard to argue with the quality of Ouyen United’s Catherine Brown and Wentworth’s Natalie Vercher.
Brown is a premiership player with the Kangas and dominated the recent interleague game at Sea Lake to win best-on-court honours.
Vercher is new to Sunraysia, having moved in 2020, and the swimming coach has been arguably the recruit of the season.
There is plenty of quality in the substitutes as well. Imps’ Ebony Littore is developing her game in goal attack and gives a lot of movement to the circle, Irymple’s Shakara Delcastegne has outstanding vision and passing and Wentworth’s Christie Becker is versatile when playing in and out of the defensive circle.
As always there are plenty of players who were stiff to miss out on selection. At the attacking end, Imperials recruit Amy Dodds and Merbein shooter Rebecca Harvey sit third and fourth on the leading goal-scoring charts, while Elizabeth Rowe has formed a dynamic partnership with Edwards at Wentworth.
In mid-court, Imps’ Maddison Alvino, Wentworth captain Ashlee Cameron and Ouyen United star Kyra Nathan were all extremely unlucky to miss, as were Mildura’s Sharon Watson, Kangas gun Tsharni Burns and Irymple young gun McKenzie Ryan in defence.
WHAT do you think of our team? Who would you select? Send your thoughts to sport@sunraysiadaily.com.au
