Kristiana Manu’a will step up her responsibilities this season, with the 24-year-old taking on the role of vice-captain for the 2020 season.
After celebrating 50 elite caps in the 2019 season, Manu’a is considered one of the more experienced players in the squad.
With Bec Bulley retiring at the end of the 2018 season, Manu’a was another player who took on a new role in 2019, with her increased and consistent court-time seeing her take on the role of goal defence.
Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald said Manu’a developed across the season in her new role.
“She has put in the work in the off-season to ensure she is in the best possible position to be a force in our defensive end.”
Manu’a was awarded the Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal for the NSW Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year.
She was also included in Netball Australia’s Development Squad and was included in the Suncorp Super Netball’s All-Stars team for the Bushfire Relief match earlier this year.
“Kris is one of the best attacking defenders in the competition and this provides valuable backup down the court,” said Fitzgerald.
“A great reader of the game, Kris is capable of pulling off those exciting intercepts that the fans will enjoy.”
The GIANTS season is set to begin on the 1st of August when they take on the West Coast Fever at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Home or away, Kristiana and the rest of the GIANTS need your support this season. Join in the giant ride of 2020 as an official GIANTS Netball Member.
2019 Season Statstics
Matches played: 14
Intercepts: 15
Deflections: 47
Centre Pass Receives: 95
