This is an analysis of the 2012 ANZ Championship teams including team perspectives of the 2011 season, a scope of each team’s delisting’s and additions and there ladder prediction placement.

Queensland Firebirds

The Queensland Firebirds are in every sense of the words, on fire. The Firebirds have come back from the perfect 2011 season winning the ANZ Pre-season netball Grand Final against Melbourne Vixens in Tauranga. The Firebirds will go in as the red hot favourites for the 2012 season. An even better team than last year, if that is believable, the Firebirds look to dominate this year given their outstanding quality and depth. Leading goal scorer of last year’s ANZ Championship, Romelda Aiken will continue to receive great service into the ring with a brilliantly quick and skilled mid-court line-up. The defence unit of the Firebirds is something to be greatly admired as Keirra Trompf and Amy Steel are tall strong players with great creative skill. The Firebirds are as talented as they are drilled. It is unlikely they will drop a game this season.

Prediction: 1^st-2^nd

Northern Mystics

Last year’s runners up were a surprise packey after placing fourth on the 2011 ANZ end of season ladder. This team displayed great tenacity and skill to make it to the grand final. Northern Mystics still have much of the same line-up, with the handy additions of UK talent Jade Clarke, Charlotte Kight from the Tactix and the young speedy mid-court player Portia Woodman. Arguably one of the teams most high profile players’, Maria Tutaia (renowned for breaking the hearts of any Australian netball team fanatic) is lethal in the goals. Tutaia, a kiwi with a natural flair for the game, plays a vital leadership role for the Mystics. This team needs to build on working the ball out of defence and adapt to thrive in high-pressure situations.

Prediction: 2^nd – 4^th

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic

These neighbours to the Northern Mystics went so close to the grand final last year and were severely unlucky to miss out. This outfit sports a talented bunch, with numerous players having represented New Zealand in the Silver Ferns national squad. A team that embodies their own motto ‘Heart, Power, Magic’ these girls play for each other and the highly respected coach Noeline Taurua. Due to the coaches assistance with the Silver Ferns, the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic reflect much of how the national team plays. They are a hungry bunch, none more so than defender Casey Williams who will spend little time dwelling on what could be and focus more on how to improve and win this coming season. Aggressive by nature and eager to seek redemption, this well-oiled team will push for top ladder success.

Prediction: 2^nd – 3^rd

NSW Swifts

The loss of key player Catherine Cox cannot be understated. Although the Swifts have managed to pull some outstanding talent into the squad with the likes of Joanna Sutton from the Thunderbirds and Samantha May as an added injection of youth, this netball team has lost more than it has gained. The signing of a new coach Lisa Beehag and the exit of captain Cox leaves the Swifts in a very precarious state. A lot rests in the balance of the Swifts attack.  Already there is an enormous expectation on vice-captain of the NSW Blues, Kim Borger the Swifts starting Goal Shooter, even though she debuts this season. Swifts have a very solid defence with the inspirational Mo’onia Gerrad leading the way, however the attack down court is very questionable.

Prediction: 4^th– 5^th

Melbourne Vixens

Vixens find themselves in a similar state to the Swifts having lost co-captain Sharelle McMahon, a key player who up until her achilles tendon injury was the leading goal scorer for the Vixens. One cannot take away from how the Vixens fought their way back into the season after some disappointing losses last year. Bianca Chatfield, recently made captain of the Vixens and an All-Australian defender leads from the front and along with experienced coach Julie Hoornweg, the Vixens showcase a plethora of talent with names such as Corletto, Tregear, Browne and Caldwell just to name a few.  The Vixens should make a significant improvement from last year despite the loss of McMahon. There midcourt should hold steadfast and provide plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

Prediction: 3^rd – 4^th

Adelaide Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds are an inconsistent team that were able to perform well against the lower teams of the ladder in 2011 but collapsed under pressure playing teams in the top-four. However the inclusion of Renae Hallinan, previously a Vixen who is a brilliant midcourt player with a good sense of awareness will surely provide great assistance to the already highly skilled Natalie von Bertouch. Although the Thunderbirds aren’t a well-balanced team this season will provide great match experience for the young side. Expect to see patches of brilliance, and great lulls in play simply due to lack of practice.

Prediction: 5^th– 7^th

Southern Steel

This New Zealand based team had a fantastic introduction to the ANZ Championship making the finals in the first three seasons, however since then the team has lost a considerable amount of talent, which lead to the Steel’s 2011 lower ladder placement. The Southern Steel had a season to forget and it was not without its controversy. Amidst the injuries that plagued star players such as marquee players Natasha Chokljat and Daneka Wipiiti, coaching scandals and rumours erupted. Head coach Robyn Broughton’s position was put up for replacement and was taken by the coach of the New Zealand under-21-team, Janine Southby. The Steel lost young guns Te Huinga Reo, Selby-Rickit and Paula Griffin to the Central Pulse and Silver Fern midcourter Liana Leota to the UK. Respectively they have gained in Louise Thayer, from the NSW Swifts, and Courtney Tairi. It will be an up and down season for the Steel, keeping the young guns will be vital for their long-term success.

Prediction: 7^th – 9^th

Central Pulse

The Pulse certainly wasn’t beating that hard last season. Despite such a lacklustre performance, the Pulse’s eighth placement on the ladder was the team’s best achievement since their inception. Central very much struggled throughout the course of the season with the exceptions being shooter Caitlin Thwaites and solid defender and captain Katrina Grant. The Pulse have replaced their coaching staff, and brought in former Steel coach Robyn Broughton for a shake up of team management. Perhaps under the new title, Haiser Pulse, along with the large amount of sponsorship, this team can spark up and showcase some of the hidden talent that fans know they have.

Prediction: 8^th – 10^th

West Coast Fever

Two of the biggest names in Australian netball are heading west and rival teams that underestimate the Fever could end up eating there own words. The new head coach of the Fever and the Australian Diamonds Norma Plummer has a resume speaks entirely for itself. Align that with a recently signed contract to none other than Catherine Cox and you can only come to the conclusion that West Coast Fever are going to be quite a force this year. Fever have a young team, but have built a core of players pumping match play and practice into this talent pool. Cox will serve as great guidance to these aspiring kids and Plummer’s game plan should see a higher placing for the Fever.

Prediction: 6^th – 7^th

Canterbury Tactix

The mixture of old and new players could unfortunately never come together for the New Zealand based Tactix. Captain Maree Bowden is known for her pace around the court and her knowledge of the game. Although she did lead her team to a single win, the vast age discrepancy within the team became more apparent as the season went on. A player like Bowden has great vision and anticipation, which doesn’t play mix with the starkly contrasted young rookie shooter Ellen Halpenny. The Tactix were at times painful to watch as there match play was so poor and inefficient however UK imports Stacey Francis and Jo Harten should provide some much needed team balance.

Prediction: 9^th-10^th

The 2012 ANZ Championship begins on the 31^st of March. You can find the season fixture here.

Clare Cosgrave is a third year Journalism student at La Trobe University.