Suncorp Super Netball Semi Finals Program

all on the line

SAT 03 JUN

2 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CONTENTS WELCOME

4

MAJOR SEMI FINAL

6 - 13

CAPTAIN KATE

8

CURIOUS C-BASS STUDYING JOURNALISM

9

MATCH PREVIEW: VIXENS V LIGHTNING

10 - 11

MELBOURNE VIXENS TEAM LIST

12

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING TEAM LIST

13

MINOR SEMI FINAL

14 - 21

KRISTIANA FOCUSED ON RETURN

16

MINDFULNESS KEY TO BRANDLEY’S GAME

17

MATCH PREVIEW: GIANTS V MAGPIES

18 - 19

GIANTS NETBALL TEAM LIST

20

MAGPIES NETBALL CLUB TEAM LIST

21

KEEP IN TOUCH /SUPERNETBALL

@SUPERNETBALL

@SUPERNETBALL

#ALLONTHELINE SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 3

WELCOME FROM NETBALL AUSTRALIA After what has been an exhilarating 14 rounds of the home and away season, we are thrilled to be presenting the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series.

Four clubs have earnt the right to contest finals, with GIANTS Netball, Magpies Netball Club, Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning vying to make history as Suncorp Super Netball Champions.

We have seen more fans than ever before attending and tuning in every week, watching the world’s best go head to head. New rivalries have been established, the competition has been fierce and the athleticism and skill has stepped up another level.

MARNE FECHNER Chief Executive Officer, Netball Australia

You, our fans and partners, have lived every victory and every heartbreaking loss throughout the season. You are the lifeblood of the League and we look forward to delivering more outstanding netball for you throughout the Finals Series.

A huge thanks to our Principal Partners, Suncorp and the AIS, Broadcast Partners Nine and Telstra and the great family of League and Club partners, including Major Partners Nissan and Samsung. You share our vision of making the League, clubs and athletes household names, and have been there every step of the way in launching this new era for netball.

We look forward to an exciting Finals Series and wish all the teams and their fans the very best of luck.

WELCOME FROM SUNCORP Suncorp Super Netball is a game changer for sporting fans across the country.

As Netball Australia’s new Principal Partner, we are thrilled to champion a new era for the much-loved game, with Suncorp Super Netball showcasing the sport at its absolute best.

Already one of Australia’s most participated-in sports, the new league has taken netball’s profile to new heights, with prime time television coverage bringing the excitement of matches into millions of homes.

Netball Australia’s broadcast agreement with the Nine and Telstra also provides an unprecedented platform for the elite netball competition to attract legions of new fans, while young players can watch their sporting heroes in action every week.

MICHAEL CAMERON Suncorp CEO and Managing Director

Suncorp’s five-year sponsorship agreement will support netball from the grassroots level, right through to the prestigious Suncorp Super Netball and representative competition with the Australian Diamonds.

At its heart, netball is an inclusive sport. For years, it has inspired players to pursue their goals confidently, while bringing families together every weekend. Suncorp Super Netball will inspire new generations of players to strive, excel and succeed. Its future has never looked brighter.

Suncorp is delighted to support one of Australia’s most successful sporting codes, whose players are wonderful role models for our younger generation.

We are proud to be on this exciting journey with Netball Australia - to drive participation in the sport, and empower women and girls to lead healthy and happy lives.

4 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

Never miss a shot on the Galaxy A5 Capture your A Game with the brilliant 16MP camera

16MP Front and Rear Camera

Samsung Signature Design

CertiďŹ ed IP68 Water & Dust Resistant*

Powerful Battery & Fast Charging

The Galaxy A5 now at Telstra from $70 per month On a $55 Go Mobile Plus Plan with $15/mth device payments when you stay connected for 24 months (min cost $1,680)

Visit telstra.com/samsunga5

*Samsung Galaxy A5 provides ingress protection (IP68) against dust and water to a maximum of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.

Now available at SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 5

MAJOR SE

EMI FINAL

CAPTAIN KATE Her love of netball began on the Diamond Creek netball courts as a six-year-old.

It was a dream to play for the Melbourne Vixens, and it was as a 20-year-old that her dream was realised.

Fast forward five years and Moloney has now successfully captained the Vixens to the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series.

“I FEEL REALLY LUCKY TO LEAD THIS CLUB.” “If someone had told me when I walked into the Vixens that I would be the captain in five years, I probably wouldn’t have believed them,” Moloney said.

“It’s something that I’m really proud and honoured to do.

I’ve really enjoyed the challenges of leading this great club, alongside Liz Watson and Tegan Philip.”

Learning from the best, Bianca Chatfield took Moloney under her wing.

“Bianca was the ultimate captain for me,” Moloney said.

“She led by example on the court, but I think the way that she brought teams together was really something special.”

Moloney hopes the legacy she can leave as captain is continuing to foster and build on the strong club culture.

“For me it’s about keeping the strong culture going, and as a playing group trying to put our own little touch onto it.

“I feel really lucky to lead this club.”

SEASON 151 STATS21

GOAL ASSISTS DEFLECTIONS

14 358 8 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

INTERCEPTS

FEEDS

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

CURIOUS C-BASS STUDYING JOURNALISM Caitlin Bassett smiles after every goal she scores. But off the court has a serious side.

She asks a lot questions, studying journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“I’m enjoying the serious side to journalism,” she said.

“I think I’ve always been a very curious person and I’m very good at asking questions, so journalism seemed like a natural fit.”

Bassett never considered journalism in her early years but grew to realise it was her calling.

“I didn’t consider journalism when I was in school,” Bassett said.

“I was actually doing a music scholarship so I always thought that I would be heading down that path.

“I’M ENJOYING THE SERIOUS SIDE TO JOURNALISM.” “But then when I was playing netball in Perth, one of my part time jobs was working at a radio station.

“I got to see behind- the-scenes into what broadcast and journalism was like. That’s when I decided it was for me.”

On juggling study and netball, she says her Lightning teammates help her reach her full potential.

“The best thing in our team is that everyone is studying at the moment. We have a study group where everyone gets together to do our work.

“It’s been really convenient for me studying at Sunshine Coast, after training I just walk over to uni and go to class.”

SEASON 589 STATS 626

GOALS GOAL ATTEMPTS

10

DEFLECTIONS

8

GOAL ASSISTS

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 9

MATCH PREVIEW:

VIXENS V LIGHTNING IT’S A TOP OF THE LADDER FIGHT, WITH THE MELBOURNE VIXENS HOSTING SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING.

HEAD TO HEAD

The coveted chance to host the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final is on the line.

The Melbourne Vixens have claimed the Minor Premiership, with 11 wins, two losses and a draw under their belt. The unassuming team has quietly gone about their business all season, building the strength of their combinations as the weeks progressed. The Vixens have a strong belief in each other, led by young captain Kate Moloney, and have quickly progressed from underdogs to serious competitors. After a loss to the Giants in Round 12, the Melbourne-side has not been put outside their comfort zone.

Sunshine Coast Lightning boasts an impressive line-up with the who’s who of international netball.

Caitlin Bassett is the most accurate shooter in the league, with an incredible 94 percent accuracy from 626 attempts across the home and away season. Lightning are coming off a thrilling onegoal victory over GIANTS Netball, holding on in a high-pressure game to secure their place in the Major Semi Final. Lightning let the Giants back into the game, before seven goals in less than three minutes secured their position.

Lightning won the first encounter between these two sides this season, by six goals in Round 2. The Vixens have matured since that performance, coming back in Round 10 to take victory by a respectable 11 goals. The game will be won in the midcourt, with both sides vying to shut down the feed into the reliable shooters and dictate the pace of play.

UMPIRES Joshua Bowring and Helen George RESERVE Bronwen Adams UMPIRE COACH Jacqui Jashari

10 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

STATS 11

REGULAR ROUND WINS

11

874

GOALS

808

101

INTERCEPTS

117

163

DEFLECTIONS

225

PLAYER TO WATCH LIZ WATSON

VIXENS WING ATTACK The playmaker has shown maturity and consistency across the season. With a strong connection to Tegan Philip and Mwai Kumwenda, Watson knows exactly where to place the ball. She topped the league for goal assists across the home and away season, with 288 recorded across 14 games. Lightning will need to shut down her connection to the Vixens’ ever-accurate shooters.

LAST TIME THEY MET ROUND 10, MARGARET COURT ARENA

STATS 70

GOALS

59

96%

SHOOTING PERCENTAGE

92%

55 %

TIME IN POSSESSION

45%

14 GOALS

BIGGEST LEAD

NO LEAD

5

INTERCEPTS

5

11

DEFLECTIONS

12

7

GOALS FROM TURNOVERS

8

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 11

www.melbournevixens.com.au /MelbourneVix @MelbourneVixens @MelbourneVixensOfficial C

KATE MOLONEY DOB: 08/01/93 Height: 177cm Positions: WD, C

KADIE-ANN DEHANEV DOB: 04/09/96 Height: 192cm Positions: GK, GS

KateMoloney_

K.A.D.96

MWAI KUMWENDA DOB: 27/09/89 Height: 183cm Positions: GS, GA mwaikumwendanetballe

KateMoloney_

TEGAN PHILIP DOB: 03/09/88 Height: 175cm Positions: GA, GS

EMILY MANNIX DOB: 16/04/94 Height: 188cm Positions: GK, GD Emily_Mannix emily_mannix

EMMA RYDE DOB: 24/08/96 Height: 197cm Positions: GS, GA

TeganPhilip

EmRyde

TeganPhilip

KHAO WATTS DOB: 18/10/88 Height: 170cm Positions: WA, C, WD

12 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CHLOE WATSON DOB: 28/02/94 Height: 183cm Positions: GD, WD

LIZ WATSON DOB: 30/03/94 Height: 178cm Positions: C, WA

Chlo_Watson

LizWatto

chlo_watto

Watson_Lizzy

JO WESTON DOB: 14/02/94 Height: 188cm Positions: GD, GK, WD

KhaoWatts

Jo_Weston

KhaoWatts

JoWeston142

www.sunshinecoastlightning.com.au / SunshineCoastLightning @sc_lightning @sunshinecoastlightning C

GEVA MENTOR DOB: 17/09/84 Height: 191cm Positions: GK, GD, WD

CAITLIN BASSETT DOB: 23/05/88 Height: 193cm Positions: GS

KELSEY BROWNE DOB: 17/01/92 Height: 164cm Positions: WA, C

CARA KOENEN DOB: 27/02/96 Height: 190cm Positions: GS, GA

GevaMentor

C_Bass_Netball

kelseybrowne_

GevaMentor

C_Bass_Netball

kelsebrowne

LAURA LANGMAN DOB: 16/04/86 Height: 173cm Positions: WD, C

MADELINE McAULIFFE DOB: 05/12/94 Height: 180cm Positions: C, WD

ERENA MIKAERE DOB: 09/07/88 Height: 193cm Positions: GK, GD

KARLA MOSTERT DOB: 12/03/90 Height: 181cm Positions: GD, WD

maddymcauliffe

erenamikaere

mostertkarlaa

Lauz_Langman 6Lauz

CaraKoenen

karlamostert

LAURA SCHERIAN DOB: 26/06/88 Height: 167cm Positions: WA, C

STEPHANIE WOOD DOB: 28/11/91 Height: 175cm Positions: GA, WA SJWood91 WoodsJ91 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 13

2017 Australia Post One Netball Community Awards

Nominations are now open www.onenetball.org.au

Small Heroes.

BIG Dreams.

14 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

Register your child today: netsetgo.asn.au

NetFest 12-15 OCT 2017

Play in bea ch netball , outdoor ne tball or Fast5 Netb all compet itions register yo

ur team tod ay netfest.co m.au

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 15

MINOR SE

EMI FINAL

KRISTIANA FOCUSSED ON RETURN GIANTS Netball’s Kristiana Manu’a was in the midst of a gruelling pre-season, ready to get Suncorp Super Netball underway.

Unfortunately her season ended before it began, after rupturing her right Achilles during a pre-season training match.

“I went to go and stand on it, and it felt like my foot was completely detached from my leg,” Manu’a explained.

“It wasn’t easy to take in at first. After finally getting over it and knowing exactly what I did, my mindset was straight into what am I going to do, what do I have to do to recover and rehab faster.”

“IT’S A REALLY LONG REHAB PROCESS” Five months into rehab and Manu’a has just started running again.

“It’s a really long rehab process” Manu’a said.

“You spend two and a half to three months in a boot, with no weight bearing, just on crutches trying to let it heal on its own.

“My motivation at the moment is just seeing how well the girls are playing and how tough the competition is, and I really want to be a part of that.”

Manu’a is also studying youth work at university.

“I know when I was growing up it is difficult to balance your dream, school and a personal life,” she said.

“I really want to get involved and guide girls and boys to try and balance that side of their lives.”

18 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

MINDFULNESS KEY TO BRANDLEY’S GAME Defensive force April Brandley has a secret weapon that she believes gives her that competitive edge against the opposition, and it might not be what you think.

The Magpies recruit has recently developed a strong passion for the study of mindfulness, which focuses on training your mind combined with relaxation techniques.

The defender feels that training her mind along with her body has assisted her on-court performance.

“I love mindfulness as it brings you back into the present, which is so often overlooked with our brains - doing all this crazy thinking,” she said.

Brandley has introduced mindfulness to her teammates also.

“I LOVE MINDFULNESS AS IT BRINGS YOU BACK INTO THE PRESENT” “I ran a session with Sharns (Sharni Layton) and Shae (Brown) which I think they enjoyed!” Brandley explained.

Mindfulness training and yoga instructing could be a potential future career path for the Magpies defender once she hangs up her bib.

“I would love to be able to share those skills with people, especially around nerves that come with playing elite sport,” she said.

“An analogy I like to use to describe mindfulness, is your brain can sometimes feel like a phone that has too many apps open, and these apps are using various levels of power.

“When practising mindfulness, you are shutting down the apps you aren’t using and focusing in on one thing and giving that one thing your all.”

51 SEASON STATS 14

DEFLECTIONS INTERCEPTS

8

DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS

35

CENTRE PASS RECEIVES

Read the full story on supernetball.com.au

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 19

MATCH PREVIEW:

GIANTS V MAGPIES IT’S DO OR DIE FOR GIANTS NETBALL AND THE MAGPIES NETBALL CLUB, WITH ONLY ONE TEAM PROGRESSING TO THE NEXT STAGE OF FINALS. Win, and travel to the Preliminary Final, against either the Melbourne Vixens or Sunshine Coast Lightning. An unsuccessful outing at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre and the season is over.

GIANTS Netball quickly emerged as finals contenders this year, with a strong mixture of international experience and exciting emerging talent delivering the goods. A shock upset to the Queensland Firebirds in Round 13, followed by a heartbreaking loss to the Lightning in Round 14 will have put fire in the belly for the sleeping giants. With two strong options at goal shooter in Jo Harten and Kristina Brice, they will keep the Magpies defenders guessing.

Magpies Netball Club have struggled to play with consistency across the home and away season, unable to string more than three wins in a row.

Coming off the back of a narrow victory over the bottom of the table Adelaide Thunderbirds, the Magpies will need to click into gear with a full 60-minute effort. The team in black and white are a proud side, who will dig deep to bring out their best when it counts.

From their two meetings this season, the Giants won by eight in Round 3, then the Magpies got their payback In Round 9, with a three-goal upset.

There will be key match-ups across the court, and with internationally acclaimed shooters at both ends, the game will be won in defence.

UMPIRES Michelle Phippard and Marc Henning RESERVE Tara Warner UMPIRE COACH Annette Smith

20 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

HEAD TO HEAD STATS 10

REGULAR ROUND WINS

9

773

GOALS

770

94

INTERCEPTS

113

234

DEFLECTIONS

212

PLAYER TO WATCH KRISTINA BRICE

GIANTS GOAL SHOOTER

Last year’s trans-Tasman Best New Talent, Kristina Brice, offers a no-thrills calming influence on her Giants. In clutch moments, Fitzgerald has often moved to bring Brice on to make the impact. She doesn’t sweat under pressure and will be able to hold her own against the ferocity of Sharni Layton.

LAST TIME THEY MET ROUND 9, QUDOS BANK ARENA

STATS 56

GOALS

59

89%

SHOOTING PERCENTAGE

88%

50%

TIME IN POSSESSION

50%

NO LEAD

BIGGEST LEAD

7 GOALS

4

INTERCEPTS

7

12

DEFLECTIONS

8

9

GOALS FROM TURNOVERS

6

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 21

www.giantsnetball.com.au /GIANTSNetball @GIANTS_Netball @GIANTSNetball C

JOANNE HARTEN DOB: 21/03/89 Height: 188cm Positions: GS, GA

TONI ANDERSON DOB: 01/09/96 Height: 181cm Positions: GD, GK, WD

JoHarten

tonieanderson

Jarten

TAYLAH DAVIES DOB: 03/10/94 Height: 170cm Positions: WA, C

SERENA GUTHRIE DOB: 05/01/90 Height: 177cm Positions: WD, C

Taylahd4

SerenaBob

taydavies4

JAMIE-LEE PRICE DOB: 10/01/96 Height: 179cm Positions: WD, C

22 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

KRISTINA BRICE DOB: 09/07/94 Height: 196cm Positions: GS

REBECCA BULLEY DOB: 18/8/82 Height: 186cm Positions: GD, GK

Kristina_brice

becbulley

Bricey94

becbulley

SUSAN PETTITT DOB: 23/03/84 Height: 180cm Positions: GA, GS

SAMANTHA POOLMAN DOB: 04/03/91 Height: 189cm Positions: GK, GD

SusanPettitt

SPoolman

SusanPettitt

SPoolman

SARAH WALL DOB: 16/10/84 Height: 175cm Positions: WA, C

JamieLee_Price

netfitsarah

JamieLeePrice_x

SarahLWall

www.magpiesnetball.com.au /CollingwoodMagpiesNetball @magpies_netball @magpiesnetballl C

MADI ROBINSON DOB: 05/01/88 Height: 168cm Positions: WA, C

APRIL BRANDLEY DOB: 19/04/90 Height: 185cm Positions: GK, GD, WD

ASH BRAZILL DOB: 29/12/89 Height: 175cm Positions: C, WD

SHAE BROWN DOB: 26/06/89 Height: 181cm Positions: C, WA, WD

madirobinson_

AprilBrandley

Ash_Braz

Shae_Brownie

madirobinson_

AprilLetton

Ash_Braz

Shae_Brownie

SHARNI LAYTON DOB: 06/01/88 Height: 187cm Positions: GK, GD, WD

KIM RAVAILLION DOB: 26/07/93 Height: 176cm Positions: C, WD, WA

ALICE TEAGUE-NEELD DOB: 02/03/96 Height: 183cm Positions: GA, GS

CAITLIN THWAITES DOB: 29/12/86 Height: 188cm Positions: GS

Sharni_Layton

KimmyRav

alice_th

caitlinthwaites

Sharni_Layton

Kimberley138

tn_alice

CaitlinThwaites

MICAELA WILSON DOB: 03/11/92 Height: 188cm Positions: GD, GK, WD micaelawilson micaelawilson92 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 23

Get involved at giveforagoal.com.au or donate today by texting “GOAL” to 0437371371 Confident Girls Foundation, helping vulnerable girls thrive through netball.

It’s Your Playtime Register your interest today @playfast5

playfast5.com.au

24 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

FAN PACKAGES ON SALE NOW 28-29 OCTOBER 2017

HISENSE ARENA, MELBOURNE

©Michael Bradley

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT FAST5WORLDSERIES.COM.AU

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 25

a proud associate partner of Suncorp Super Netball rebelsport.com

OWN THE COURT WITH THE ASICS GEL-NETBURNER SUPER 7 ASICS, proud footwear partner of Suncorp Super Netball 26 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

Great Great Game Game Day Day Prep Prep Starts Starts with with San San Remo Remo and and You You

PERFORM STRONGER. RECOVER FASTER.

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 27

www.gilbertnetball.com.au ww.gilbertnetball.com.au @gilbert_netball @gilbert_netball Gilbert Netball Australia/New Zealand

Official homewares supplier of Suncorp Super Netball.

28 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

Stream it live, fast and data-free Every game, every pass, every goal

For use in Australia. Compatible device required. Included in all Telstra mobile plans and select recharges.

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017 | 29

Winning partnership Proudly supporting Netball Australia The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) invests in sport at all levels in Australia.

We work with Netball Australia to ensure Australian netballers excel in the international sporting arena whilst increasing participation in netball.

Netball Australia is one of many national sporting organisations partnering with us to achieve Australia’s Winning Edge.

WITH THANKS TO OUR 2017 LEAGUE PARTNERS

PRINCIPAL

MAJOR

ASSOCIATE

BROADCAST

30 | SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL FINALS SERIES 2017

CHARITY