As the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season draws closer, the previews are flowing, and the profiles are growing.
Third by third, player by player, we’re breaking it down to give you the insight you need ahead of the GIANTS’ 2024 Super Netball season.
The Names:
Jamie-Lee Price, Amy Sligar, Sam Winders, Maddie Hay and Chelsea Pitman
The GIANTS will enter their 2024 Suncorp Super Netball campaign once again led by one of the world’s best midcourters as well as an injection of new flavour amongst their engine room.
Headlined by star Diamond – and new co-captain- Jamie-Lee Price, the GIANTS possess one of the most dynamic and versatile midcourt line ups.
Fresh off a career-best year for both the GIANTS and the World-Cup winning Diamonds, Price will be surrounded by an exciting combination featuring Amy Sligar and Maddie Hay, as well as some fresh faces with Sam Winders and Chelsea Pitman (temporarily).
Entering her third contracted season in the Super Netball environment, Sligar has continued her rapid development across the summer and will look to elevate herself as a key piece of Julie Fitzgerald’s midcourt unit through her quick turn of speed and ability to slice through the midcourt.
Meanwhile former Silver Fern Winders will add her versatility to the GIANTS’ line-up this season, with the 28-year-old bringing a wealth of experience after a National League career spanning 10 years and 138 caps.
A driving force on both attack and defence, Winders has built a reputation as a tenacious wing defence with the ability to also play as an effective distributor from centre or wing attack.
Pitman is another newcomer who has made a seamless transition to the GIANTS since being signed as the temporary replacement player for the injured Maddie Hay who is recovering from off-season hip surgery. She’ll bring experience and flare following her 19 seasons at the National League level, until Hay is deemed fit to return.
Upon her return, Hay will inject further excitement into this 2024 line up, with the wing defence turned wing attack one of the silkiest wing attacks in the league.
Often underrrated, Hay goes about her business with a ‘no fuss’ flare and can prove quite the challenge for even the world’s best wing defenders.
Combining a trio of familiar faces with two exciting and ultra-experienced recruits, the GIANTS midcourt looks set to continue its excellence on the defensive side while their attacking game is primed to go to another level through speedy and direct ball movement on display throughout the pre-season.
The Numbers:
- In 2023, Jamie-Lee Price recorded the highest gains for any midcourter.
- In 2023, Maddie Hay (33) and Jamie-Lee Price (31) ranked 3rd and 4th respectively for average feeds per game.
- In 2023, Jamie-Lee Price ranked 3rd in the league for total Nissan Net Points with 1296.
- In 2023, Maddie Hay recorded 265 centre pass receives, ranked 5th in the league.
The (Coach’s) Notes:
Coach Julie Fitzgerald provides some insight into the midcourt quartet.
Jamie-Lee Price: “Jamie’s worked terribly hard and she’s certainly in the best shape conditionally she has ever been in and that is certainly reflecting in the standard of netball she is putting out on court. Coming on board now as a leader of this team has given her some renewed confidence and i look forward to seeing how she approaches that role.”
Amy Sligar: “Amy has had a sensational pre-season and is demanding more court time, so expect to see more of her this year. Her stats in pre-season have been very encouraging and her work ethic this pre-season aross both the court and gym has been phenomenal.”
Sam Winders: “Sam is so versatile. it’s very rare that you find a player who you can have the confidence to play in all three midcourt positions, and they actually enjoy it, but she loves the challenge. Her versatility is something that we’ve never had before.”
Maddie Hay: “Maddie is progressing well in her recovery. Once fit and available she is the type of player that will slot back in so easily and she will inject further excitement into this line up upon her return.”
Chelsea Pitman: “Chelsea is playing a difficult role as our 11th player while Maddie [Hay] is recovering but she’s giving us 100 per cent no matter how the season unfolds her. I have great admiration for what she is giving to this team.”
