Bianca Chatfield: SSN signing targets who should be on Tracey Neville, Craig Hutchison’s radar

Piecing together my foundation squad for the new Victorian franchise takes in who is likely to be available, and who isn’t. It’s guided by a salary cap of sorts, and estimated player values, and informed by Neville’s comments in her first media conference.

The Englishwoman spoke about the importance of recruiting Victorians to recognise local talent and help build a local fanbase, and wanting players who are in it for the long haul.

Of connections and combinations. Foundations for the future.

Bringing in internationals involves another whole layer of complexity by ensuring their personal well-being away from the court. It’s about life as a whole, not just netball life.

Also remember that this is a Super Netball team, not a World Cup team. Like it or not, the two-point shot is here to stay, and last season it decided more games than ever before.

And readers will note the lack of homegrown Victorian shooters. That’s simply a reflection of how few are up to speed right now at this level. Not even the Vixens have been able to find one!

In selecting this team, I’ve had the pleasure of not having to deal with any managers, any clubs or even have any face-to-face conversations with any players, so I really quite enjoyed the process!

Here’s my SEN 10.

*****

Shooters

Sophie Garbin is my first choice, locked-in, No.1 goal shooter. The 26-year-old has the ability and versatility to be just as lethal in SSN as an Eleanor Cardwell — we just haven’t had the chance to see it yet. An outstanding World Cup. A key pillar to build this team around.

Sasha Glasgow is the standout goal attack and the shooting partner Garbin needs. She can be devastating with the Super Shot, and swing across both positions, and if the whispers are true that she’s considering a move from West Coast Fever, then why wouldn’t she be on your list?

Elmere van der Berg is my development shooter. The South African is still raw, a bit of an X-factor, and perhaps a slight surprise, but someone who I believe would really benefit from Neville’s guidance. The 22-year-old is tall, and can play both positions, but an unknown quantity at this level.

Strongly considered: Nalani Makunde (Canberra-based Zimbabwean), Uneeq Palavi (Victorian of Samoan/Tongan heritage).

Midcourt

Hannah Mundy would be a target for most teams, but especially for a start-up in her home state looking to create the next generation of midcourters and combinations. A young, strong, powerful WA/C who’s found it hard to get the court time she deserves at the Vixens. Unless something changes, a move across the road could be the perfect solution, and what a brilliant pick-up Mundy would be.

Allie Smith, originally from Geelong and a former Vixen, could be lured home from the Swifts. The WD/C can swing into GD if needed, and has a lot of promise. Even though injury limited her minutes this season, I think Smith has a lot of upside, and building within a young midcourt will benefit the athletic 23-year-old in the long run.

Kelsey Browne is another Geelong product who brings experience on and off the court. At 31, you can’t imagine her being around for a long time, but would be part of blooding this next generation. Kelsey would need to be versatile enough to move into the centre, but Neville might provide the spark she needs to ignite that element of her game. A Fast5 teammate of Mundy’s who has an existing connection with Garbin from their time at the Magpies.

Jordan Cransberg has impressed as a Fever training partner who was called up for two games in 2023. Another Vic pathway product forced to move interstate for opportunity, Cransberg could really cement herself in this side at either centre or wing defence and form a long-term partnership with Smith and Mundy. She’s strong and stable in attack and defence, can not only win ball but transition it through the midcourt then deliver it safely and calmly. If not here, I expect Cransberg to get her first contract, somewhere.

Strongly considered: Ava Black (Lightning), Kate Eddy (Vixens), Tayla Williams (Thunderbirds).

Defenders

Matilda Garrett should be the priority signing here to return to her home state after a premiership with the Thunderbirds, where Neville was an assistant — but not the defence — coach. The versatile Garrett has now proven herself, and been rewarded with a place in the Diamonds squad, and it will be a huge step in her career for the former Magpie to take on a role as one of the main defenders without relying on the combination with Jamaican stars Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson.

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Jodi-Ann Ward needs to find a new netball home and, despite the talk that she’s headed to the Giants, I would love her to stay in Melbourne. Jodi wins ball, has been a standout for both Collingwood and Jamaica in 2023, and works beautifully within the Australian structure. It’s taken her a few years to build into the intensity of Super Netball, but is only going to get better now that she’s found it, and would be a huge selling point for this new team.

Rudi Ellis brings height and the experience of biding her time on the bench at a couple of clubs since leaving Victoria for, originally, Queensland. She’s had to move herself around because of the experience in front of her, and has taken time to develop, as most tall players do. She needs to be embraced and given plenty of court time, take on some of the big shooters in the league and learn as she goes. She has family and her partner (Western Bulldog Tim English) in Melbourne, and surely this is the window opening to start the next phase of her career.

Strongly considered: Ash Ervin (Lightning), Kadie-Ann Dehaney (Lightning), Fran Williams (UK).