Suncorp Super Netball 2023: news, expert tips, predictions, fixtures, latest, West Coast Fever

An exciting new Suncorp Super Netball season is about to kick off. The West Coast Fever are out to defend their title, there's been a host of big player movements and some exciting young talents ready to make a name for themselves.

We asked our Fox Netball experts to give us their predictions for four key areas: which team will raise the trophy at the end of the season, which club will be the dark horses, which player will have a breakout campaign, and who will be the most valuable player (MVP) of season 2023.

Here’s what these netball legends had to say!

Caitlin Bassett

Who wins: Vixens. They are a well oiled machine with a core team of players who have stayed together & know each others games inside out. They are expertly lead by coach Simone McKinnis and on court by Liz Watson & Kate Moloney. They didn’t perform in the Grand Final last year against Fever I think they will have learnt a lot from that game and will go one better in 2023

Dark horse: Swifts, in defence Klau & Turner are a dogged combo, Hadley & Proud are fit and fast through the middle and with international flair Housby/Aiken/Wallace in their shooting circle I think they will be a tough team to come up against

Breakout player: Hard to go past Ellie (Eleanor) Cardwell - can play out at GA or back at GS and will be a much needed strong presence and target in the Thunderbirds goal circle

MVP: Karla Pretorius. Her return to SSN after the birth of her first baby will be seamless, we already saw glimpses of her brilliance at Quad Series and I think she will be the difference in getting Lightning off the bottom of the ladder and back into finals where they are used to being.

Sue Gaudion

Who wins: Back to back is far from easy but with minimal change to their list and a coach who claims there is still more to come, West Coast Fever are my front runners for 2023.

Dark horse: Hard to call a two-time Premiership Club the ‘Dark Horse’ but Sunshine Coast Lightning are definitely the team to keep an eye on this season. In form Shooters, returning superstars, exciting young talent, new coach with fresh ideas and nowhere to go but up from 2022!

Breakout player: All eyes on Lucy Austin from the Adelaide Thunderbirds for me. So much to like about this youngster. Her off season was obviously spent doing the hard yards as she looks in terrific shape! Add to that, secure hands and the ability to shoot with accuracy from anywhere in the circle, Austin’s biggest challenge this year will be regular court time in a star-studded attack end.

MVP: Latanya Wilson, Adelaide Thunderbirds

Cath Cox

Who wins: West Coast Fever. No changes made to the team and they’re building on the confidence of last season’s premiership.

Dark horse: Adelaide Thunderbirds. I’m not sure they have the confidence and know how to win in the big moments yet to take the premiership, but will most certainly ruffle some feathers and get some big wins along the way.

Breakout player: Eleanor Cardwell, Thunderbirds

MVP: Liz Watson, Vixens

Madi Browne

Who wins: Fever look solid for a crack at back to back titles but Adelaide have the depth, dominance down both ends and a visible team belief and unity to take it all the way in 2023.

It’s been 10 years since their last premiership, so why Adelaide … why not!?

Dark horse: Lightning. With the inclusion of queen Karla back in defence, Wood showing signs of career best form at Team Girls Cup plus a fresh perspective and voice from coach Reynolds, I believe they will be back among the finals again this season.

Breakout player: Hannah Mundy (Vixens), Ash Ervin (Lightning)

MVP: Shamera Sterling (Thunderbirds)

Kim Green

Who wins: Fever back to back! Almost the same personnel, with addition of Jenner to the fold will only bolster their defence end and bring some physicality out to the GD/WD position. As we saw from TGC they have picked up where they left off, and have a VERY strong training partners program that will only help the Fever to bring home the silverware once again

Dark horse: Thunderbirds. Not sure if they are a dark horse after TGC, but still an unknown in pressured situations. They have the versatility to make changes and have huge impact. A team that has been building for a couple of years through investing in local talent while adding some fantastic international flavour. If anything, they will be fun to watch!

Breakout player: Matisse Letherbarrow (GIANTS). A young gun that we have seen moments from in the past two years but will be ready to take that next step and put her hand up and challenge for starting 7 consistency.

MVP: Shamera Sterling, Thunderbirds. A walking highlight reel, only fitting to have MVP next to her name.

Stacey Francis-Bayman

Who wins: Fever. Riding high off of the confidence of their maiden premiership in 2023, a TCG win to close off the pre-season period and most importantly, largely consistent in terms of their squad from last season with a huge amount of depth and ability to rotate combinations based on what is needed.

Dark horse: Giants. No strangers to a top four finish, or even a Grand Final, however, they have yet to break through and win their maiden premiership. They have the youth, experience and stability in line-ups/combinations to do so in 2023!

Breakout player: Matisse Letherbarrow (GIANTS). Likely to see more opportunity with Jo Harten’s fitness a question mark at the start of the season. She was brilliant at TGC and is a fearless shooter at long range which will be important given that Giants are used to firing with two accurate super shot shooters. Which is a defensive nightmare. They can really blow a score apart or claw a lead back when they need!

MVP: Jhaniele Fowler (Fever). What a privilege it is to be able to watch the best GS in the world right now and arguably one of the best players to ever grace our game week after week. I believe we have still yet to see her functioning at her capacity! Look out for a Jhaniele fuelled by being surrounded by her family in Perth full-time this season.

Keirra Trompf

Who wins: Fever. They have recruited well, they are a happy team over in the West & now know how to win – they will be hard to beat home & on the road!

Dark horse: Thunderbirds, the team in pink are unstoppable when they click. Add the fire power of English import Cardwell. The brains-trust Tania, Cathy & Tracey will have them up & about.

Breakout player: Tayla Williams, Adelaide Thunderbirds

MVP: Sasha Glasgow, Fever