Netball: Does the Silver Ferns' roster need a shake-up?

Analysis - With the Netball World Cup three year's away, Bridget Tunnicliffe looks at how many new faces might be injected into this year's Silver Ferns squad.

Players have a last chance to impress in the ANZ Premiership grand final on Sunday afternoon, with Silver Ferns selectors due to announce around 30 trialists on Tuesday.

Following trials the Silver Ferns squads will be announced on 22 August, with five to six players likely to be named in each third of the court.

So who might make the cut early in the World Cup cycle?

Shooters

The Silver Ferns' starting shooting combination is obvious - with goal shoot Grace Nweke and goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio a cut above.

Injury kept Nweke out of part of the ANZ Premiership, but since returning she's shown how valuable she is to any team she plays for.

Silver Ferns captain Ekenasio had a fabulous season at the Magic, and selectors will be hoping she has the desire to keep going for another World Cup.

Amelia Walmsley made her Silver Ferns debut last year after a breakout season with the Pulse. Walmsley had to spend a chunk of this domestic season on the sidelines due to injury, but since returning for the business end of the competition, has shown her worth again.

She also added another string to her bow by taking on goal attack duties at the start of the season when Pulse teammate Tiana Metuarau was injured.

Martina Salmon has been the breakout star of the 2024 ANZ Premiership. After some fine performances at goal shoot for the Pulse as an injury replacement, Salmon was elevated into the team full-time.

Selectors will love the fact that she isn't afraid to turn and shoot from distance, and has great confidence - a tell-tale sign that she's come through the Australian system.

Born in Auckland, Salmon is eligible for the Silver Ferns and has stated her desire to represent New Zealand.

In previous years the Silver Ferns shooting stocks have looked thin, but this quartet could form the basis of a very formidable shooting end.

There's as many as five players who could vie for another two spots in the squad.

Magic shooter Saviour Tui has benefited hugely from her shift to the franchise, and demonstrated how dynamic she is. Working with Ekenasio in the circle could help propel her into the Silver Ferns for the first time.

Current Silver Fern Maia Wilson has had a very good season with the Stars, shooting at 92 percent, but there might not be any room for the 26-year-old.

When Walmsley came into the Ferns last year, Wilson got just 38 minutes on court across the series against England and Australia.

Since returning from injury, Metuarau has been very good at the Pulse. The Silver Fern is a general at goal attack and sets her goal shooters up well, but selectors probably want to see her put more goals up.

Silver Ferns development squad members Georgia Heffernan and Amorangi Malesala got their debuts at the Nations Cup in January.

What could weigh heavily in Heffernan's favour was her impressive debut against Australia, where she played a full game at goal attack. She more than held her own in one of the toughest gigs in netball, despite dealing with three different Australian defenders who tried to make her life hell.

If Heffernan didn't have to carry so much of a load at the injury depleted Steel this season, her 77 percent shooting stats would be higher.

Wilson and Metuarau might find themselves dropped down to the development squad.

Midcourters

Silver Ferns midcourters Maddy Gordon, Kate Heffernan and Whitney Souness pick themselves.

With Mila Reuelu-Buchanan recovering from an ACL injury, Souness will probably be seen as New Zealand's starting wing attack.

It is easy to forget that Mystics wing attack Peta Toeava is a current member of the Silver Ferns squad. Toeava has not been included in any of the series since being named in the squad last year because she did not meet fitness standards.

The 30-year-old has again shown how much of a game changer she is, with her impact at the Mystics clear. If Toeava can pass the Silver Ferns' fitness requirements she might get another opportunity in the black dress.

If selectors aren't confident Toeava can consistently retain the fitness required, they can't plan around her as they look ahead to the 2027 World Cup. The Silver Ferns need to find some continuity, and they can't do that if players are coming in and out.

With Reuelu-Buchanan ruled out through injury, Kimiora Poi could get a recall on the back of a fantastic season at the Tactix.

If the selectors name a sixth midcourter there could be several names in the mix, including Tayla Earle and Claire O'Brien, who was born in Australia but has New Zealand connections. The 27-year-old had a stabilising presence at the Magic this year.

Wing defence would have to be the hardest position to break into in the Silver Ferns right now.

Kate Heffernan has had that job recently and she can also cover centre. Paris Lokotui, who can also cover goal defence, could get her New Zealand debut there later this year.

A plethora of quality wing defences means it's incredibly tough for Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Fa'amu Ioane to push their way into the Ferns.

Young wing defence Georgie Edgecombe was very impressive in that position this year for the Magic, as was Greer Sinclair when she was injected off the Tactix bench.

Don't be surprised to see Edgecombe and Sinclair named in the development squad.

Former Silver Ferns veterans Shannon Saunders and Gina Crampton are eligible for selection but whether they want to commit to another World Cup cycle seems unlikely.

Defenders

The first two names that should be written down are current Silver Ferns defenders Kelly Jackson and Karin Burger, New Zealand's most consistent defenders.

Current Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka had a quiet start to the domestic season, but seemed to find her spark when she switched to goal keep a few rounds ago.

The selectors might want to retain Karaka's experience for now but the 30-year-old could well be overtaken by young guns like Carys Stythe and Catherine Hall.

Paris Lokotui earned her first Silver Ferns contract last year after she returned from an ACL injury. She's a powerful wing defence/goal defence slide and has plenty of X-factor.

Experienced defender Jane Watson has made herself unavailable for selection so that opens up another spot.

Kate Burley was named in the Silver Ferns squad for the first time last year and was the Stars most consistent performer all year but might become the victim of timing.

The 27-year-old is sandwiched between experienced Silver Ferns incumbents and up-and-coming youngsters like Stythe, Hall and Parris Mason.

The 21-year-old Mason looks like she would back herself to go toe-to-toe with some of the best goal attacks in the world and could get some international exposure later this year.

At 29 years old, Georgia Takarangi is a bit of an enigma. She's a late bloomer to elite netball and got her one and only Silver Ferns Test cap to date at 26.

The Magic defender played her best netball this year and picked up the second most intercepts in the league, second only to Jackson.

Standing at 1.83m Takarangi is not super tall, but neither is Jane Watson who is shorter at 1.81m.

The trialists will be named on 6 August.

Potential Silver Ferns squad

Shooters

• Grace Nweke
• Ameliaranne Ekenasio
• Amelia Walmsley
• Martina Salmon
• Saviour Tui
• Georgia Heffernan

Midcourters

• Whitney Souness
• Peta Toeava
• Maddy Gordon
• Kate Heffernan
• Kimiora Poi
• Claire O'Brien

Defenders

• Kelly Jackson
• Karin Burger
• Paris Lokotui
• Georgia Takarangi
• Parris Mason
• Phoenix Karaka