With the 2021 season less than two weeks away, it’s time to break down the next area of the court and assess how they’re going ahead of what is shaping up to be an exciting season.
After previewing the defenders, it’s time to look into the midcourt magic.
Maddie Hay, Amy Parmenter and Jamie-Lee Price.
In 2021 the GIANTS’ midcourt will remain stable and unchanged, driven by strength and resilience.
In 2020 the GIANTS were questioned for how they would fill the absence of the skill and experience left by the retired stalwart of netball, Kim Green.
Price became the core of the experience in the midcourt, celebrating her 100th National League game in round nine at just 24 years of age.
Kiera Austin was the first to move into the WA position, but she soon found home in the circle and dominate the goal attack position not only for the GIANTS but across the league.
With Austin’s move into goals, the opening came for Maddie Hay to make the wing attack position her own.
The former wing defence out her own stamp on the position, proving to be a consistent and a reliable performer in the GIANTS’ attacking third.
It also meant the wing attack bib stayed on the dress of a Sutherland Shire netballer.
Amy Parmenter continued to play her role as the workhorse as a defensive mid, backing up an impressive inaugural season to remain in contention as one of the league’s best wing defenders.
It will be the stability across the midcourt for the GIANTS in 2021, as last year’s trio look to continue to build.
Fitzgerald believes versatility is the key in the midcourt this season.
“With different combinations bedded down, we can change things around to offer different styles or to match different oppositions,” said Fitzgerald.
“All our middies are capable of providing strength in both attack and defence. They can work the ball well when we’re in possession but are also equally capable of winning ball back in defence.”
Rotations during the 2021 pre-season have seen Parmenter rotate through C and WA, as well as some of the young Training Partners in Annie Miller and Amy Sligar also rotate through the midcourt.
Maddie Hay
Positions: WA/C/WD
Elite Caps: 16
Association: Sutherland Shire Netball Association
Maddie Hay was quick to cement herself as the starting WA in the GIANTS line up for 2020. The former Training Partner played 13 of the 14 fixtured matches in her first year as a contracted athlete. She was a consistent performer for the GIANTS and was known to force the opposition to make a few changes, even to the most experienced of opponents.
Coach says: “Hay has returned with a full year of WA completed and is far more comfortable in the role. Often underestimated, Maddie is safe with the ball and a resilient player who will always give 100%.”
Amy Parmenter
Positions: WD/C
Elite Caps: 27
Association: Randwick Netball Association
A fan favourite, Amy Parmenter backed up a stellar breakout season with an equally impressive 2020 campaign. The dynamic, defensive midcourter led the GIANTS for intercepts and deflections. The 23-year-old continues to make a name for herself on and off the court, named in Netball Australia's Development squad and being recognised by the GIANTS Members as the Members' Player of the Year
Coach says: “Amy is developing her game across all three centre court positions, providing us with great variety. She is a ball winner and her attacking game has grown considerably in the off-season.”
Jamie-Lee Price
Positions: WD/C
Elite Caps: 105
Association: Bankstown Netball Association
Jamie-Lee Price has cemented herself as one of the best defensive mid-courters in Suncorp Super Netball. Strong, fast and with an incredible vertical leap, Price is a constant thorn in her opponents’ side and regularly wins over ball for her side. Price played 810 of a possible 840 minutes in the 2020 season and led the GIANTS for Goal Assists and Nissan Net Points.
Coach says: “Jamie-Lee provides us with great strength through the middle. She is a strong attacker who’s feeding game has grown and her defensive pressure is vital to us in the middle.”
