Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Kylee Byrne says they are wary of an ambush in Melbourne on Saturday, when they meet under-achieving Collingwood in their Super Netball season opener.
The Sippy Downs-based outfit heads into their fifth national league campaign as perennial threats, having finished 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their short but impressive history.
Byrne, in her second year at the helm, has assembled a promising squad blending youth and experience.
She said they won’t be caught by surprise by the Magpies, who have finished 4th, 7th, 4th and 8th and are wooden spoon favourites.
“It’s a massive danger game,” she said.
“Collingwood comes out of the blocks each season quite strong. We’ve had them in Round 1 before and they’ve actually beaten us.”
“They’ve had a stable group during pre-season, so were able to start forming combinations months ago, which other teams haven’t been able to do (due to Covid travel restrictions).”
The Magpies welcome back Australian representatives Ash Brazill and Kelsey Brown this season.
But the Lightning have their own stars, with Diamonds players Cara Koenen and Steph Wood in attack, and the competition’s reigning goal defence of the year Karla Pretorius.
Pretorius and fellow South African defender Phumza Maweni arrived late in the pre-season, due to travel restrictions, while local midcourter/defender Ash Unie copped a season-ending knee injury in late March.
Off-season recruit Maddie Hinchliffe was promoted from the training squad to the main roster but then suffered a foot injury in April, so is set to be sidelined for the first two or three games.
So, regular training partner Binnian Hunt was promoted to take her place, in a short-term.
“She brings something totally different, whether it’s wing attack or goal attack,” Byrne said.
“She’s got such a physical presence. I wouldn’t want to run into her.”
Byrne has several options for her starting seven and substitutions.
“The great thing about this team is versatility,” she said.
“They’re all capable of playing different positions, so there’s depth across all positions.
“We’ve got so many combinations we can throw out there.”
She said the competition should be well contested.
“I think this year is open to all teams. I think it’s going to be about match-ups, not just individually, but between teams which have really established different playing styles.”
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“It’s going to be about the teams which can adapt to the team they’re playing against but still stay true to what you can put out on court. That team will come out on top.”
Off-season signing Kate Shimmin could notch her 100th national league game, should she take the court for her Lightning debut.
“It’s amazing. I remember when she started playing for the Thunderbirds at 16 years old,” Byrne said.
“She’s the ultimate team player, who brings the energy I think we need.
“She’s got a sense of humour and the ability to lift the team when she steps on to the court. She’s as fit as she ever has been and has her love of the game back.”
Ex-Firebirds player Mahalia Cassidy could also make her Lightning debut.
The competition features eight teams, 14 rounds and a four-team finals.
The Lightning will clash with the Magpies on Saturday, in Melbourne, at 7pm. The match is is on via TelstraTV and Netball Live.
Lightning squad
Attackers: Cara Koenen, Steph Wood, Peace Proscovia, Binnian Hunt (injury replacement player), Annabelle Lawrie (training partner)
Midcourters: Madeline McAuliffe, Laura Scherian, Mahalia Cassidy, Maddy Hincliffe (foot – 2-3 weeks),
Defenders: Karla Pretorius, Phumza Maweni, Kate Shimmin, Sienna Allen (training partner), Ash Unie (knee – season).
Possible Round 1 line-up: Koenen, Wood, Scherian, Cassidy, McAuliffe, Pretorius, Maweni. Substitutes: Proscovia, Hunt, Shimmin,
