Suncorp Super Netball teams can expect to meet the competitive Sunshine Coast Lightning side supporters have come to know and love in 2022 – but beware, they come with a bag of new tricks.
Lightning’s squad of 10 has been finalised ahead of the 2022 season, with a mix of Club stalwarts and fresh faces.
Four foundation players in Captain Karla Pretorius, Vice Captain Steph Wood, Cara Koenen and Laura Scherian remain at the core of the line up.
Lightning favourites Kate Shimmin and Mahalia Cassidy will also represent the yellow, navy and purple next season, with both expected to play versatile roles in the team.
The biggest shake up comes at Lightning’s defence end with new additions Tara Hinchliffe (Queensland Firebirds) and Kadie-Ann Dehaney (Melbourne Vixens) relocating north.
Dehaney, a Jamaican Sunshine Girl, is an exciting impact player who will be looking for increased court time at Lightning after spending the past four years supporting Emily Mannix and Jo Weston.
While Hinchliffe is currently rehabilitating a knee injury, she is expected for an early to mid-season return to 2022.
The skilled defender, who is currently part of the Australian Development Squad, is an exciting young talent who creates headaches for opposition shooters with her shut down abilities and tenacity.
At the other end of the court, Lightning have added another former Firebirds Training Partner in Reilley Batcheldor.
The Australian U21 shooter is known for her accuracy from long range and forms part of the all-Queensland attack end for Lightning.
Finalising the midcourt is another up and coming young talent in Annie Miller.
The 20-year-old is also named in the 21 and Under representative side and is confident at both Wing Attack and Centre.
Miller is a former GIANTS Netball Training Partner and will bode well serving an apprenticeship under prolific Lightning midcourter Laura Scherian as well as Mahalia Cassidy.
The refreshed Lightning side will look to be highly competitive next season integrating the established game strategy that has seen them qualify for five consecutive finals series with a new layer of complexity.
