2016 Netball ANZ Run Down

Published On: 24 March 2016

After a weekend away in Sydney or Auckland battling it out in the preseason competition, the ANZ Championship teams are proving to be more competitive than ever heading into the 2016 season. With round one commencing at the start of April, the teams are ready to go but for those viewers out there who aren’t familiar, here is a round-up of the competition for 2016.

THE AUSTRALIAN SIDES

WEST COAST FEVER

Finals are back on West Coast Fever’s radar after getting their first ever taste of an ANZ finals match in 2015, led by their coach Stacey Rosman. The WA side tackled the preseason competition with Verity Simmons re-entering the team following a two-year period at the Queensland Firebirds. The side is itching to take on the 2016 Championship and looks like a strong contender for the Premiership Cup. The season is set to be bigger and better than ever for the Fever who will start their 2016 campaign playing neighbours, the Adelaide Thunderbirds.


NSW SWIFTS

The Sydney-siders are a team to watch this season after an impressive preseason performance led by their coach Rob Wright. The team exhibits a wide range of experience with over half of their players having performed on an international scale, whilst new defensive recruits Maddy Turner and Lauren Moore will make their ANZ debut’s this year. After a narrow loss to the Firebirds in last year’s grand final, the Swifts will be looking to end this year’s season on top. Their campaign will commence will a hit out against the Melbourne Vixens on April 3.

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS

The Adelaide Thunderbirds finished up in last place on the Australian ladder in 2015, coming away with only four wins out of a total thirteen games. With the recruitment of new coach, Michelle Den Dekker, the team will be looking to make strong improvements on their performance from last year. For the 2016 season, the Thunderbirds have recruited a number of young up and coming players in the mould of defender, Sarah Klau and mid-courters Hannah Petty and Maddy Proud. Similarly, to the scenario of the WBOP Magic, the Thunderbirds were forced to replace the pregnant Renee Ingles, opting to bring in English Roses player Jade Clarke to fill her spot. With their new look team currently undertaking strong preparation heading in to the season, Den Dekker will be looking to lead her team to a win against the West Coast Fever in their opening match on the 2nd of April.

MELBOURNE VIXENS

The Melbourne Vixens enter the 2016 season looking to better their fourth place finish on the Australian ladder last year. Their lead-up has not been without challenge with key goal attack, Teagan Philip withdrawing from the 2016 campaign after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Coach Simone McKinnis is yet to name the Philip’s replacement but the Vixens remain set to dominate in their first match against the NSW Swifts in round one. With Philip to miss the season, the return of Captain and Diamond Madi Robinson from injury provides a valuable boost to the Vixens’ line-up. The relatively young side shows some fantastic potential and the newest addition to the shooting circle, the 197cm tall Emma Ryde will set the team up as a side to watch.

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS

After coming from behind to win the grand final in 2015 the Queensland Firebirds will be looking to make it two in a row in 2016. Based in Brisbane and led by coach Roselee Jencke Oam, the Queensland side features three new young gun players, in the form of Mahalia Cassidy, Hulita Haukinima and Chelsea Lemke. Captained by Australian Diamonds player and national captain Laura Geitz, the side look strong and in good stead to succeed in the 2016 ANZ season and their first match against the Mainland Tactix is on the 1st of April.

 

THE NEW ZEALAND SIDES

NORTHERN MYSTICS

Hailing from the North of New Zealand and based in Auckland, the Northern Mystics look set to further improve on their game and make their way into the grand final for the 2016 season, after finishing top of the New Zealand ladder in 2015. Coached by Debbie Fuller, there has been considerable changes to the Mystics’ player roster for 2016, with the introduction of five new players. This follows the loss of Silver Ferns vice-captain, Laura Langman, as she crosses the Tasman to join the NSW Swifts. Despite this, the Mystics still look strong heading into the season with several international players on their side, in Kayla Cullen, Serena Guthrie, Catherine Latu and Maria Tutaia. The team kick off their 2016 campaign against the Southern Steel on the 1st of April at Trusts Arena, Auckland.

CENTRAL PULSE

Based in Wellington, the Pulse finished up fourth on the New Zealand ladder in the 2015 season, narrowly missing out on a finals appearance due to percentage. With the appointment of new coach Tanya Dearns, the Pulse have also looked to inject some new blood into the group of players, introducing a total of six new signings for the 2016 season including; Blaze Leslie, Jacinta Messer, Chelsea Locke, Kate Wells, Samon Nathan and Maia Wilson. With these new signings the side still maintains a high level of experience with Silver Ferns players Jodi Brown, Katrina Grant and Ameliaranne Wells there to share their knowledge and help guide the team in 2016. The Pulse kick start their campaign on the 4th of April against the WBOP Magic where they’ll be looking to take home a win. 

WBOP MAGIC

The WBOP Magic are coached by Julie Fitzgerald and are based in Waikato. After finishing second on the New Zealand ladder at the end of the main season, the Magic will be looking to once again make a strong mark on the competition in 2016. Following the announcement of Silver Fern Casey Kopua’s pregnancy late last year, Fitzgerald brought in replacement defender Paula Griffin. With a wealth of knowledge behind them in international players; Leana de Bruin, Jo Harten, Malia Paseka and Grace Rasmussen, the team look set for a strong start to their campaign against the Central Pulse on the 4th of April.

SOUTHERN STEEL

Captain Wendy Frew of the Southern Steel said the team saw the preseason hit out as very beneficial as they look to build on their performance and refine their skills leading into their first game against the Northern Mystics on April 1. The 198cm Jhaniele Fowler-Reid will play a key role again this year as a strong post up option to the dynamic centrecourt. Steel finished third on the New Zealand ladder in 2015 over Pulse and Tactix so will be looking to make their mark early on rivals Mystics.

MAINLAND TACTIX

The Tactix left the preseason competition with solid performances behind them, beating the West Coast Fever and drawing 26-26 with the NSW Swifts. Their performance will give them confidence as they kick off their 2016 ANZ season against the reigning champions, the Queensland Firebirds. With 22 test caps for the Silver Ferns, Bayley Mes will be a weapon in the shooting circle and play a strong role in leading the side alongside veteran Anna Thompson, who will captain the team in 2016. After finishing at the bottom of the New Zealand ladder last year the side will be looking to draw on the depth in their 2016 side to produce some fantastic netball.

As far as predictions go this year, the results from the preseason tournament leave us suggesting a Swifts, Firebirds, Vixens and West Coast Fever top 4.

Our bet is the Firebirds will take a second consecutive premiership as they show little sign of weakness, with a face off against the NSW Swifts or West Coast Fever in the Grand Final on the radar. Of course nothing would make us happier than the Fever girls bringing home the premiership cup for the first time in history!

2016 Ladder Prediction

  1. Firebirds

  2. NSW Swifts

  3. West Coast Fever

  4. Vixens

  5. Mystics

  6. Thunderbirds

  7. Steel

  8. Magic

  9. Pulse

  10. Tactics

– Written by Nicole Lendich & Annika Lee-Jones