Netball: Contenders step up, pretenders lose way

Keshia Grant has excelled. Photo / Brett Phibbs

I'll admit, making predictions in sport can be a fool's game. But now we have reached the halfway point of the ANZ Championship round-robin we can start to deduce which teams are genuine title contenders and which are destined to be the also-rans this season.

After a disappointing 2008 season, the Melbourne Vixens are the clear frontrunners for this year's crown.

Not only are they unbeaten, but they seem to get better and better each week.

While one Aussie team is on the rise, another has taken a remarkable dive.

Reigning premiers the NSW Swifts' hopes of defending their title already looks to be in tatters, sitting seventh in the competition with just two wins to their name.

The demise of the Swifts has helped boost the chances of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Queensland Firebirds, who meet in round-eight action this weekend, of a semifinal finish.

Both sides hover in the top four without having really looked exceptional this season.

The same could be said for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, who sit second in the standings but, given the star-studded make-up of their team, should be looking a lot more comfortable.

The Southern Steel look to be the only other New Zealand side with a chance of making the top four.

Just as the form of some teams has wavered this year, so too have the fortunes of individual players.

Here, we look at which players have been the surprise packages and which have failed to live up to their reputations.

WHO'S BEEN A REVELATION?

Charlotte Kight (Canterbury Tactix)
One of the surprise packages of the competition, few outside of the Tactix would have predicted Kight would get much court time this season, let alone become a regular starter for the Canterbury side. The enthusiastic young defender has been impressive for the Tactix, refusing to be intimidated by any of the big names she comes up against. Many are now tipping the Under-21 defender to be called up to the Silver Ferns squad at the end of the season.

Keshia Grant (Northern Mystics)
Grant was one of the last players signed to the Northern Mystics for this season, but the diminutive midcourter has certainly proved a handy acquisition for the Auckland side. With a background in athletics, the 22-year-old makes up for a lack of height with exceptional speed, agility and timing. A clever playmaker, Grant has excelled playing alongside former Silver Fern Temepara George and when the pair are moving the ball at speed around the attacking third, they can be unstoppable.

Renae Hallinan (Melbourne Vixens)
Sitting at the top of the ANZ Championship table after seven rounds, it is evident the entire Melbourne Vixens side have taken a huge step up from last year. In a team full of impressive talent, midcourter Renae Hallinan is one player who has particularly stood out. The young star has been damaging in her specialist wing defence position, often showing up her opposition with superior fitness and speed, and has a knack of pulling off the most incredible intercepts. If Hallinan can continue to produce such strong form over the second half of the season, few would be surprised to see her elevated to the Australian test side this year.

Madison Browne (West Coast Fever)
Frustrated with a lack of court time at the Vixens last season, Browne moved to Perth this year in the hope of being given more opportunities. It has proved an excellent move. The Australian Under-21 captain has been a standout for the Fever, proving to be an exceptionally fast and clever player. An astute feeder into the shooting circle, Browne's 100 goal assists leads the league.

WHO'S BEEN DISAPPOINTING?

Sheryl Scanlan (Southern Steel)
Lack of discipline has restricted Scanlan's ability to make a big impression this year, with the Silver Fern defender too often finding herself whistled out of the game. Scanlan is the most penalised player in the ANZ Championship with 128 penalties from six outings this year, 91 of those being contact calls. Sitting third in the league's intercept count, it is clear Scanlan is a talented defender, but until she tidies up her game, her effectiveness will be limited.

Maria Tutaia (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic)
As was the case last season, Tutaia has been plagued by inconsistency in the first half of this year. The 22-year-old has shown glimpses of her true potential, but is still prone to going missing in games. Tutaia's shooting stats this season have been fairly steady, taking pressure off Irene van Dyk with her ability to sink the long shots, but the young shooter needs to step up and take on more of a playmaking role.

Mo'onia Gerrard (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
The Australian defender has a reputation as one of the most physical and athletic defenders around, but this season Gerrard has largely failed to fire. She has shown patches of her trademark brilliance but overall has lacked discipline at times and has been guilty of overstepping the mark in terms of her physicality. Unless Gerrard steps up over the second half of the season, she may be in danger of losing her spot in the Australian side to the outstanding Julie Corletto.

Catherine Cox (NSW Swifts)
The standout shooter of the competition last season, Cox has looked out of sorts this year. After missing the international season with an ankle injury, the veteran shooter has struggled to find the form that saw her lead the Swifts to the inaugural ANZ Championship title. Cox still looks to be hampered by the injury and that frustration of not performing seems to be affecting the mental side of her game also.