In July 2022, West Coast Fever made history by defeating Melbourne Vixens in the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. The team from Perth had never previously won a season premiership, but a clinical performance consigned the Vixens to runners-up and sealed the biggest title in Australian netball for the Fever.
A new season is now upon us, and the reigning champions are in the unfamiliar position of having to defend their triumph. That feat will not be easy, but the Fever are expected to enjoy another strong campaign after keeping their stars and bolstering their winning squad even further during the offseason. Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who has claimed the league’s Player of the Year Award for the last 5 consecutive seasons, scored 929 goals in the Fever’s march to victory in 2022. At 33 years old, Fowler is still posting extraordinary numbers, and her presence will be key once again this season.
Melbourne Vixens came agonisingly close to the title in 2022, and the team will be desperate to go one step further this time around. Rahni Samason, a versatile goal scorer with a bright future in the league, has suffered an injury that rules her out of a large part of the upcoming season. The Vixens nevertheless retain a powerful starting 7, and their hopes will be boosted by 2 impressive wins over the Fever during the regular season last year.
Elsewhere in the league, the Giants will be a tricky matchup for the top sides if their injury problems can be resolved in the early stages of the campaign. Their fellow Sydneysiders, the New South Wales Swifts, can dream of repeating their 2021 premiership with a strong starting line-up, and new signing Romelda Aiken-George has something to prove after being let go controversially by the Firebirds during her pregnancy last year.
Expectations of Collingwood Magpies are low, despite their enviable financial position, but the Pies may shock the league if they can build some early momentum. Over in Adelaide, the Thunderbirds are hoping to avoid last season’s struggles at the bottom of the ladder, and the team’s chances have been boosted by new shooters Eleanor Cardwell and Lucy Austin.
In Queensland, injuries and team reshuffles have taken the Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning out of championship contention in the minds of many fans – but there is a whole season to be played, and nothing is certain yet.
Check out the upcoming games and secure your Suncorp Super Netball tickets for 2023!