The Suncorp Super Netball League 2022 begun this weekend in Australia, with all eight teams taking to court in Round 1.
Here is a recap of how just some of the international stars got on:
Thunderbirds 54 – 50 Magpies
South Africa SPAR Protea Lenize Potgeiter led the way for Thunderbirds in their 54 – 50 win over Magpies, as she scored her 1000th career goal. Potgeiter was joined in the shooting circle by Australian new recruit Tippah Dwan, who made a strong first impression with two super shots which helped give Thunderbirds a 16-13 goal lead at quarter-time.
Swifts 55 – 57 Giants
It was an emotional start to the season for Swifts, as their Trinidadian shooter Samantha Wallace tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their defeat against local rivals Giants. Swifts were only 3 goals down when Wallace’s injury took place with 12 minutes to go, but the devastating injury was the final blow for the reigning champions as they went on to concede 5 goals straight after in the final quarter. Giants mid-court duo Jamie-Lee Price and Maddie Hay were exceptional in their sides opening match.
World Netball would like to wish Swifts shooter and World Netball Voice of the Athlete Member Samantha Wallace all the best as she begins her road to recovery.
Firebirds 65 – 70 Vixens
After setting the tone for the season when they won the pre-season silverware at the Suncorp Team Girls Cup, Vixens once again stood up to the test this weekend beating Firebirds 65 – 70. It was a great day for the Melbourne based side as they welcomed back Australian Diamond Liz Watson for the first time, after she missed last season due to injury. Watson made 38 feeds and 22 goal assists helping to contribute to Vixen’s victory. Despite being on the losing side, Donnell Wallam made her presence known in her first ever Suncorp Superleague match, as she scored 43 of her 48 shots. Wallam played in the Vitality Netball Superleague last season for Leeds Rhinos.
Fever 82 – 62 Lightning
Another familiar international face that made the transition from Leeds Rhino’s in the Vitality Netball Superleague, to the Suncorp Super Netball League was Dan Ryan. Ryan is the new coach at Fever, and in his first league match in charge he led his team to a record-breaking victory over Sunshine Coast Lightning as they won 82-62. Jamaican Sunshine Girl, Jhaniele Fowler, contributed to Fever’s high scoring tally with the shooting sensation scoring 65 goals at 97% accuracy in the opening match.
Round 2 of the competition begins on Saturday 2nd April, and international fans can watch every game of the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball Season live and on-demand as part of NetballAustralia.TV, the official international subscription service for fans outside of Australia and New Zealand.
To view a schedule and for more information, click here.
To find out more about elite domestic netball leagues in other World Netball Regions, click here.
