Netball Scoop World’s Greatest Netballer 2022 – Netball Scoop

It’s that point of yr once more – because the outcomes of Netball Scoop’s annual World’s Greatest Netballer ballot are unwrapped!

As soon as once more, the minds of 5 netball pundits had been challenged to solid votes for the most effective netballer this yr – Caroline Barker (Sky Sports activities UK commentator), Brittany Carter (ABC Journalist), Erin Delahunty (Freelance journalist – Guardian & Fox Sports activities), Tamsin Greenway (Scotland Thistles Head Coach & Sky Sports activities UK commentator) and Jenny Woods (Sky Sport NZ commentator).

The pundits joined Netball Scoop writers Emily Bruce, Georgia Doyle, Andrew Kennedy, Jenny Sinclair and Ian Harkin, in nominating their high gamers of the yr on a 5-4-3-2-1 foundation.

It’s a difficult job narrowing down many high performers to create the checklist. In all, 15 athletes from 5 international locations obtained at the very least one vote from the panel of ten, however it wasn’t lengthy earlier than a particular high 5 emerged. In truth, these 5 gamers dominated to such a level, it was troublesome for others to choose up votes.

A particular point out to the next two defenders who finally completed in equal-sixth place.

Equal sixth – FUNMI FADOJU (England)

Little question there have been nonetheless some netball followers outdoors the UK who weren’t too aware of London Pulse defender Funmi Fadoju till just lately.

That each one modified together with her performances throughout the three-Check sequence in opposition to the Australian Diamonds in October and November. Fadoju was already amongst England’s finest gamers within the first two Checks, however it was within the remaining Check the place that her sport went to a complete different degree, ending the match with ten Beneficial properties, 4 Intercepts, two Rebounds, and 17 (sure, seventeen) Deflections.

Regardless of being comparatively brief for a defender at 176cm, her superb athleticism and reflexes had the Diamonds assault finish trying hesitant. At simply 20 years of age, there are doubtlessly many extra years of Funmi Fadoju creating havoc for opposing groups forward, each at membership and worldwide degree. It might be a shock if she doesn’t end larger up on this ballot in years to come back.

Jo Weston winds up the arm. Picture: Could Bailey / Clusterpix

Equal sixth – JO WESTON (Australia)

In 2022, Jo Weston proved as soon as once more to be stable as a rock in defence. It began in January, taking part in a starring position within the final quarter blitz that received the Quad Sequence remaining for the Australian Diamonds in opposition to England.

Weston was additionally an important member of the Melbourne Vixens facet reaching the Tremendous Netball grand remaining, and in addition the gold medal profitable Australian crew in Birmingham. It’s no mere coincidence that within the current internationals, the Diamonds rediscovered their profitable methods when Weston returned to the crew.

Georgia Doyle – “The quiet achiever of any crew she’s in, whose affect isn’t seen till it’s gone. Weston is ever-constant for the Vixens, and whereas her statistics aren’t enormous, her workload is second-to-none in shutting down opposition and creating alternatives for these round her. Her worth to the Diamonds was clear once they misplaced the primary two Constellation Cup matches in her absence, then received the ultimate 5 matches of the worldwide calendar together with her inclusion. Add to this her skill to carry out below the exterior stress she has confronted as president of the Australian Netball Gamers’ Affiliation and the tumultuous yr they’ve been by, and it cements her spot as one of many sport’s finest.”

To the highest 5, who all had unimaginable years.

Australian captain Liz Watson. Picture: Aliesha Vicars

fifth – LIZ WATSON (Australia)

In 2021, a foot harm dominated Liz Watson out for a lot of the yr, together with your entire Tremendous Netball season. In 2022, she was decided to make up for misplaced time.

The tip outcome? Helped the Vixens go from picket spooners to grand finalists, led Australia to Quad Sequence, Commonwealth Video games and Constellation Cup success, and claimed her second Liz Ellis Diamond. An absolute workhorse within the midcourt, Watson performed each single minute of each Vixens match this yr. Then stepped up and performed extra minutes than in all probability anticipated on the Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham as a result of harm to Paige Hadley.

An attacking ball-magnet, Watson often tops the Feeds and Assists numbers (as she did in Birmingham), however it’s not all about statistics. Watson leads by instance on court docket, and her captaincy qualities shouldn’t go unnoticed. Bringing the Australian crew collectively as a powerful, united and completely happy crew is one factor, and at season’s finish, the Diamonds stay atop the World Rankings regardless of robust challengers.

Fever’s profitable captain Courtney Bruce in motion. Picture: Clinton Bradbury / Bradbury Pictures

4th – COURTNEY BRUCE (Australia)

It was a beautiful netball yr for Courtney Bruce.

Think about this – Bruce was concerned in 5 totally different tournaments or Check sequence in 2022 and received each single one among them.

In January, it was the Diamonds’ Quad Sequence win in London, then the Suncorp Tremendous Netball crown with West Coast Fever – the primary title received by a Perth crew within the 25 years of Australia’s Nationwide League. She performed an important position in Australia profitable Commonwealth Video games gold, earlier than returning house and reclaiming the Constellation Cup, and eventually defeating the England Roses.

In all, Bruce performed 33 top-level matches this yr at membership and worldwide degree, and was on the profitable facet in 25 of them.

Taking part in each defensive circle positions, her continuous stress model ruffles feathers, however it actually will get outcomes and he or she is often close to the highest of all defensive stats. If the Fever or Diamonds are searching for an important possession acquire, virtually inevitably it’s Bruce who comes up with it at simply the proper time.

On this season’s Tremendous Netball, Bruce had 65% extra deflections than another participant within the league.

Shamera Sterling’s elevation is insane. Picture: Could Bailey

third – SHAMERA STERLING (Jamaica)

The standing of Shamera Sterling continues to develop with every passing yr. Thought-about the world’s premier defender by many, she helped Jamaica attain new heights in 2022.

On the Commonwealth Video games, she performed a big position within the Sunshine Ladies’ first-ever win over Australia in a significant match, after which their first look in a significant remaining. Though the Jamaican facet finally got here up simply brief, albeit with their first silver medal, the promise is there of extra to come back sooner or later.

Sterling possesses all of the secrets and techniques of a really nice defender – athleticism, anticipation and the flexibility to use stress and keep within the contest. In Birmingham, Sterling averaged virtually seven Beneficial properties and 4 Intercepts per sport and doing so whereas remaining comparatively clear within the eyes of officers. In truth, Jamaica was the least penalised nation on the occasion.

On the Tremendous Netball scene, Sterling dominated once more, taking 13 extra Intercepts than another participant. Though her good work is typically unrewarded, there are sufficient optimistic indicators to recommend that higher outcomes are simply across the nook for her and the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Jhaniele Fowler had one other dominant yr for Fever. Picture: Clinton Bradbury / Bradbury Pictures

2nd – JHANIELE FOWLER (Jamaica)

The unstoppable power that’s Jhaniele Fowler was ever current as soon as once more. The dominant goaler for each West Coast Fever and Jamaica’s Sunshine Ladies, Fowler helped either side obtain their best-ever outcomes this yr.

It was fifth time fortunate for Fowler at Fever because the West Australian facet received their first elite title in entrance of over 13,000 screaming followers.

As soon as once more, Fowler was Tremendous Netball’s main shooter, topping the aim scoring ranks and doing so with the best accuracy. And as soon as once more was rewarded with the Tremendous Netball MVP award – for the fifth straight yr.

In Birmingham, it was Fowler who led Jamaica to an historic win over Australia within the group stage, earlier than finally incomes a well-deserved silver medal. She led the scoring for the match with 273 targets at an unimaginable 97% accuracy.

Her top is commonly talked about, however it’s her power, composure and her consistency that units Fowler aside. It’s uncommon for Fowler to have a ‘quiet’ sport.

NS World’s Greatest Netballer for 2022, Gretel Bueta. Picture: England Netball

1st – GRETEL BUETA (Australia)

In what was a yr stuffed with splendid performances, one participant rose above all others within the view of the voting panel. In truth, it was virtually unanimous.

For the Queensland Firebirds, Gretel Bueta has a stable season, scoring 317 targets at 90% accuracy, forming a formidable mixture with new goaling accomplice in Donnell Wallam and notching up her a centesimal elite home match.

Bueta put collectively a string of sensational video games for the Australian Diamonds on the worldwide stage that had been simply too laborious to disregard. The Quad Sequence in January was a revelation. Taking part in her first take a look at matches since giving start to child Bobby, Bueta was again within the Diamonds trying fitter and stronger and extra harmful than ever.

She additionally added one other string to her bow, by now dominating at aim shooter. She continued the exceptional kind throughout the Birmingham Commonwealth Video games, once more shining in two positions and proving to be the distinction as Australia took gold, profitable their first main match for the reason that 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

Caroline Barker – “Gretel Bueta is every part I wish to be after I develop up – her management for Australia, her stats (253 targets at 96% accuracy on the Video games) after every part she’s had thrown at her, says all you want to find out about a participant who carries herself on and off the court docket just like the famous person she is.”

Emily Bruce – “It’s a no brainer actually! Bueta impressed proper from the get go on the Quad Sequence. She’s versatile and unpredictable and inventive together with her motion, in addition to having the all-important capturing accuracy.”

Brittany Carter – “Gretel Bueta’s star energy has risen one other degree since she returned from having her son Bobby and her affect on court docket was felt instantly within the Quad Sequence. At Tremendous Netball degree, the brand new mixture with Donnell Wallam is extremely entertaining, producing a sort of aptitude and unpredictability that’s prone to promote many many tickets for the membership within the years to come back. And on the Commonwealth Video games, Bueta proved the distinction within the circle, giving defenders nightmares as they tried to include her in each aim assault and shooter. Australia seem like a completely totally different crew together with her on court docket.”

Erin Delahunty – “A rampaging efficiency in January’s Quad Sequence in London – by which she was named Participant of the Sequence and best-on within the remaining – signalled the beginning of a career-defining yr for Gretel Bueta. Her arrival as the most effective participant on the planet was full after one other dominant Tremendous Netball season and main Australia to Commonwealth Video games gold. The now 29-year-old shooter turned one of many few really “un-match-up-able” gamers within the sport, taking part in with a way of freedom, fluidity and fearlessness that’s lay beneath the floor since she burst onto the scene. The 192cm Gold Coast-native’s athleticism, smarts, cut up and unflappability make her inconceivable to mark. And he or she’s solely simply hitting her peak – a scary prospect for opponents.”

Tamsin Greenway – “Gretel Bueta is only a totally different class. She is a particular participant. Equally good in each capturing positions, her model of play has change into unmarkable. She’s so highly effective, her elevation is deadly and her timing and take of ball coming into the circle is not like anybody else. She introduced a spark to Australia that helped them take house the gold on the Commonwealth Video games. I can’t wait till she’s again on court docket.”

Andrew Kennedy – “Solely mid-career, and Bueta has achieved Legend standing. Netball has by no means seen such a flexible, athletic shooter. She is a trump card in Australia’s assault line, and a championship-winner.”

Jenny Sinclair – “As soon as once more, the star aim assault has been in superb kind in 2022. Whereas she performed throughout each capturing positions, Bueta’s top and athleticism made her inconceivable to match up in opposition to at aim assault. Bueta’s additionally elevated her accuracy, capturing at a formidable 96% throughout the Commonwealth Video games.”

Jenny Woods – “She has taken her sport to a complete new degree. Was the distinction for Australia on the Commonwealth Video games. Not solely is she good, however folks wish to watch her – she will pull a crowd.”

FINAL VOTING

45 . GRETEL BUETA (AUS)
26 . Jhaniele Fowler (Jam)
24 . Shamera Sterling (Jam)
16 . Courtney Bruce (Aus)
12 . Liz Watson (Aus)
5 . Funmi Fadoju (Eng) & Jo Weston (Aus)
4 . Eleanor Cardwell (Eng) & Kelly Jury (NZ)
3 . Karin Burger & Grace Nweke (NZ)
2 . Paige Hadley (Aus) & Peta Toeava (NZ)
1 . Latanya Wilson (Jam) & Shaquanda Greene-Noel (T&T)

HONOUR ROLL

2016 – Sharni Layton (Aus)
2017 – Geva Mentor (Eng)
2018 – Geva Mentor (Eng)
2019 – Karla Pretorius (SA)
2020 – Ameliaranne Ekenasio (NZ)
2021 – Jhaniele Fowler (Jam)
2022 – Gretel Bueta (Aus)

MEN’S NETBALL

A change has come within the netball panorama.

When the annual World’s Greatest Netballer ballot started in 2016, males’s netball wasn’t even a consideration. At the moment it was given little or no recognition and barely seen to most. Nonetheless, lately, largely by the assist of Dame Noeline Taurua and Netball New Zealand, the Cadbury Sequence has seen males’s netball thrust into the highlight.

This yr, it grew additional with the historic first televised males’s Checks between Australia, New Zealand and England, with these nations additionally concerned within the Fast5 Netball World Sequence.

These worldwide matches gave a bigger viewers of netball followers a style of males’s netball on the elite degree. Males’s netball will proceed to develop within the coming years and this ballot will evolve with it. However for this yr, a participant from every of the competing international locations has been chosen who impressed throughout the worldwide matches.

The standout was Australian aim assault, Brodie Roberts. He’s a star.

Brodie Roberts (Australia)
Timothy Apisai (New Zealand)
Jamal Nicholson (England)

Brodie Roberts’ motion alongside the baseline troubled defenders. Picture Could Bailey / Clusterpix