The reigning premiers retain a core group of players but welcome new coach Elissa Kent to lead the side this season.
Jane cook returns to the front end and will be joined by Samantha Gooden and Zoe Claridge, who were both part of the inaugural team in 2017. Gooden spent last season with the Melbourne Vixens and Claridge had a dominant 2018 in the RACTI Tasmanian Netball League.
The midcourt beams experience in Kelsie Rainbow, Vanessa Augustini, Shelby Miller and Sharni Lambden and will be joined by Tasmanian 19U captain Ashleigh Probert-Hill.
Mel Bragg will lead a new defensive unit this year, working with 2018 premiership player Zanna Jodlowska, 2017 Tasmanian Magpie Emma Johns and newcomer, Brooke Allan.
Head Coach Elissa Kent said she is excited for round one and to see how they come together and build this season.
“There’s always nerves heading into round one, but we have worked hard during the pre-season and the girls have built in their connections and have been training at the intensity required for this weekend.”
Whilst looking to retain the premiership status, there are several focuses for the 2019 season.
“Initially it will be cohesion of the playing group and seeing the connections build game by game. Seeing individual performances improve throughout the season through key learnings and technical and strategical improvements and strategies” said Kent.
The 2019 DUANL season will see the introduction of the rolling substitution rule, which was trialled at SSN level during the #TeamGirls Pre-Season cup earlier this year. Teams will need to adapt to the changes and challenges the new rule may occur.
Kent said the new rule may take some getting used to but will allow the team to explore their versatility.
“It is a great opportunity to be strategic not only throughout a game, but a quarter and to use key strengths of different players in pivotal moments” she said.
The team will take on Queensland Fusion in Brisbane for their first round of matches. Last time the two teams met was at the Silverdome in Launceston, with the Tasmanian Magpies victorious by 14 and 7 in their respective matches.
VIEW THE TEAM
ROUND 1 MATCHES:
Saturday 4 May
Queensland Fusion v Tasmanian Magpies
5:30pm
Queensland State Netball Centre
Sunday 5 May
Queensland Fusion v Tasmanian Magpies
1:00pm
Queensland State Netball Centre
