Think you know netball? Think again!
Friday 1 November 2019 16:17, UK
The top six-netballing nations go head to head for the Fast5 World Series in Melbourne this weekend. This dynamic, shorter version of the game flips netball on its head thanks to a myriad of rule changes. We take you through the match-ups not to be missed - and Tamsin Greenway predicts who will win.
Australia, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, South Africa and Malawi will battle it out across two days of intense netball action at the Melbourne Arena this weekend. Eighteen blockbuster matches of 24 minutes will decide which nation will take home the 2018 Fast5 World Series title.
As the name suggests, only five players take to the court (dropping the wings), plus rolling substitutions mean teams can bring on fresh legs at any point during the four six-minute quarters.
Shooters can shoot anywhere in the goal third mixing up the scoring system. Shots outside the circle put three points on the score board, while outer-circle shots claim two points, and inner-circle shots award just one point. During a team's Power Play quarter, all points are doubled meaning a super-shot can put six points on the scoreboard!
The last major rule change is that centre passes are taken by the team that did not score the last goal.
England clinched the title last year, when they beat Jamaica 34-29 and Serena Guthrie was awarded player of the tournament after putting on one sensational performance after another.
New Zealand lifted the trophy in 2016, so world No 1 Australia will be vying to claim the title in their final year hosting the event this weekend.
"If you look through the squads, Jamaica have probably got the most experience in terms of internationals - with the most caps between them.
"For me it's going to be about the shooters. Australia are quite interesting with their shooting end because they've got Sophie Garbin who was impressive last year and Kaylia Stanton is apparently a good long-bomb shooter but I think it's going to be between New Zealand and England.
"England because I think George Fisher is incredible at the long bombs and it's going to be about how she stands up under that pressure. I think it's going to be the combination of (Ameliaranne) Ekenasio and (Bailey) Mes (for New Zealand) - Mes with the rebounding and Ekenasio if they can get it right tactically they're going to be really difficult to beat."
Vice-captain, Natalie Panagarry is the only player who was part of last year's winning side, while the remaining nine players show experience in sisters Sasha and Kadeen Corbin, as well as captain Jodie Gibson.
England future Amy Carter will make her debut as part of an England senior squad. Layla Guscoth, George Fisher and Ella Clark return to the Roses following their part in the Sunshine Series against Jamaica earlier this month.
Look out for: England vs Jamaica - the final match of the group stages is a repeat of last year's final. The Sunshine Girls will be seeking retribution for England clinching the trophy from under their noses in the 2017 competition. The match-up between Shamera Sterling and George Fisher/Kadeen Corbin will be entertaining to say the least.
Following a gruelling international season, which came to an end with the Constellation Cup just last week, it's no surprise that there are none of the Commonwealth Games or Quad Series players featuring in the Australian Fast5
squad.
But that doesn't mean that the other nations can rest on their laurels. Despite naming seven debutants - every player is recognisable from their performance in the Suncorp Super Netball league.
Mid-courter Maddy Proud led the NSW Swifts for goal-assists last season while last-minute addition, Laura Scherian has won back-to-back Super Netball titles with Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Look out for: England vs Australia on Sunday. It's no secret that there's intense rivalry between the top two netballing-nations - Australia certainly won't want to concede another game on home soil following losing out on Commonwealth
gold earlier this year.
The Kiwi's have won Fast5 six times since its inaugural year in 2009 and after a disappointing 12 months on the international scene, they'll be looking to win the title as part of their comeback.
Bailey Mes - known for her sensational shooting will be linking up with newly-capped Aliyah Dunn, while Sulu Fitzpatrick will be captaining the side. Six of the 10 players play domestically for Central Pulse meaning the co-ordination
between the Kiwi's will be fast and furious.
Look out for: New Zealand vs South Africa on the first day of action. Fitzpatrick will come up against Sigi Burger and long-bomb-queen Renske Stoltz in a battle of the shooting third.
South Africa have been hot on the tails of the top four netball nations, closing in recently thanks to the twice-yearly Quad Series which allows them to compete regularly against Australia, England and New Zealand.
Shooting sensation Renske Stoltz will be turning fearlessly to the net to wrack up the points for South Africa. She was awarded Player of the Tournament in the 2017 British Fast5 All Stars thanks to her long-range accuracy.
Meanwhile, Shadine Van Der Merwe will be back in defence after her impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games.
Look out for: South Africa vs Malawi on Sunday. These two teams battled it out for the fifth and sixth place playoffs last year, and neither team will want to be in that position again. Don't miss the battle between Martha Dambo and South African shooters Renske Stoltz and Sigi Burger.
Last year's runners up will be looking to do one better. They've just finished a successful 3-0 test series win against England and star of the show - Shamera Sterling will be back in full force. She topped all the defensive statistical categories including 28 interceptions and 39 deflections at the Commonwealth Games this year and has just been signed by the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The successful shooting duo Romelda Aiken and Shanice Beckford will be looking to net the long-bombs and outwit their opponents with their dynamic combination.
Look out for: Jamaica vs South Africa - the second match of the tournament. All eyes will be on the encounter between Sigi Burger and Shamera Sterling.
Joyce Mvula who plays domestically for Manchester Thunder will be putting up the shots for the Malawi Queens while Martha Dambo will be doing her best to block the long-bombs from the other five nations.
Malawi came last in the 2017 competition but after impressive performances at the Commonwealth Games,
they'll be seeking to prove their place on the court.
Look out for: Malawi vs Australia - the opening match of the tournament is set to be vibrant and unpredictable. Malawi bring an aerial style of play to the netball scene, so it'll be an exciting way to kick off the 2018 action.
