Eleanor Cardwell
Adelaide Thunderbirds
After starring at the Manchester Thunder, the English Rose has finally been given a shot to cut her teeth across the Ditch.
Cardwell is a versatile shooter, able to play both positions and slots a goal from anywhere. It will be interesting to see how she is utilised at the Thunderbirds and how lethal she can be with the two-point shot. The Thunderbirds have been lacklustre, failing to make the top four, since the competition began in 2017. But being runners-up at the pre-season Team Girls Cup, and the addition of Cardwell, could lead to the tides turning. Tracey Neville, who coached the Roses to Commonwealth Games gold, has joined as the assistant coach.
Kim Ravaillion
Queensland Firebirds
The Queensland Firebirds captain has a point to prove. Ravaillion was overlooked for the Australian Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games squad and will be hunting a Netball World Cup spot. The tenacious midcourter hardly puts a foot wrong, runs her opponent into the ground, and is one of the most experienced in the league. It could be a rebuilding season for the Firebirds, after losing Eboni Usoro-Brown (retired), Kim Jenner (West Coast Fever), Gretel Bueta (pregnant), so Ravaillion’s influence is needed more than ever. Early signs are worrying, considering assistant coach Sara Francis-Bayman, a former English Rose, left the club on Tuesday.
Karla Pretorius
Sunshine Coast Lightning
Karla Pretorius is the type of player who can turn a game on its head. The South African defender is back after the birth of her daughter and the Lightening will be elated. The Lightning — always a top four team — uncharacteristically finished bottom of the table and missed Pretorius’s leadership and ability to pull an intercept out of thin air. Under new coach Belinda Reynolds, Pretorius will lead a very new defensive line from the last time she donned the dress and will have a big part to play, especially with Tara Hinchliffe ruled out with an ACL injury.
Sam Wallace
New South Wales Swifts
Sammy is back. It will bring a smile to all Swifts fans, after the Trinidad and Tobago shooter ruptured her ACL during round one last year. Her towering presence was missed — the Swifts narrowly missing the play-offs — and her ability to shoot from anywhere. Her connection with fellow international Helen Housby is undeniable and Wallace’s return will only enable Housby to come into the game more. Talk is her load will be managed early in the season, with training partner, and former Jamaican international, Romelda Aiken-George stepping up.
Courtney Bruce
West Coast Fever
Courtney Bruce will still be riding high on the coat tails of an incredible 2022. The West Coast Fever won its first domestic title in 25 years, with Bruce captaining it to glory. There is no question about Bruce’s ability — quick footwork, a brilliant aerial game and the ability to get in her opponents head. But there has been concern recently about her physicality and it will be interesting to see how she reacts. The Fever is stacked with defensive talent, in Sunday Aryang, Rudi Ellis and Kim Jenner this season, so keep an eye on who gets the nod out the front of Bruce.
