The positional depth of Sunshine Coast Lightning is such a strength that it is putting pressure on the Club’s coaching group to ensure the best combination is out on court at any one time.
Head Coach Kylee Byrne said the strategic advantage that this squad of 10 provides is an exciting challenge for her team and fine tuning those in-game rotations is having a real influence.
Binnian Hunt, Peace Proscovia and Kate Shimmin have been utilised as impact players this season, but Byrne is just as confident that these players can all deliver if given the starting role.
“The development and growth of this group is untapped and it is still coming together,” she said.
“Even working out what position best suits people and the combinations, that’s the exciting thing every week.
“This whole group of 10 have such versatility that it is putting pressure on the coaching staff to come up with who can do the job in that moment.
“Having that ability to make those changes and trust they will get out there and perform is a real strength of this group.”
Working in conjunction with the brains trust of Christine Voge and Vicki Wilson, Byrne said the implication of rolling substitutions rule no longer directly related to form and really is becoming a strategic tool.
Lightning head into the break with 20 ladder points, equal to GIANTS Netball and NSW Swifts who are both 1 game clear after the split round. West Coast Fever round out the top 4.
Byrne is wary of the teams looming in the bottom half of the ladder and how that will motivate form in the second half of the season.
“We’re excited about where we are but it’s just a start, the games coming up are going to be extremely tough,” Byrne said.
“Every week the top 4 is changing and it’s so reliant on every other result in the competition which is fantastic.
“Even though the top 4 have a bit of a break the teams in 5 – 8th are coming and building – you look at those sides and they can take any scalp on any day.
“There is no easy match – you need to be at your best to get these wins.”
“All you can do is control what you can control and for every week and every opponent we’re as best prepared as we can be – ready to deliver on any day.”
