The 2021 GIG WANL season gets under way this Friday night, April 23, with a Grand Final re-match between West Coast Warriors and Curtin Hamersley Comets headlining fixtures at the Gold Netball Centre (GNC).
Other Open Division matches at GNC at will see Southside Demons play East Freo Sharks and Western Roar play ECU Souwest Jets.
Peel Lightning will host Rangers at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
In the Men’s Division, both games will be played at GNC with Southside Demons taking on Curtin Hamersley Comets and West Coast Warriors playing Western Roar in a grand final re-match.
2021 Fixtures
The season was officially launched at The Perth Mint of Friday, April 16, with representatives from all clubs in attendance along with key partners including:
- The Gold Industry Group
- The Insurance Commission of Western Australia, promoting the Belt Up campaign
- The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
- Healthway, promoting the LiveLighter message
- The University of Western Australia
- HCF
- All Flags
2021 Open Division Teams
Curtin Hamersley Comets: Rapid rise to last year’s Grand Final. Defence loses some strength with youngster Chelsea Bartlett returning to the Roar. Any team with Lindal Rohde will be dangerous, and the attacking end of East/Burton has another year under its belt. The team has also lost Claire Pickerill to Rangers.
East Freo Sharks: Handed the Warriors their sole loss of 2020, but have lost some talent for 2021. Jess Repacholi will miss the year after rupturing her ACL, while Emma Cosh will have Fever duties and Ella Eastaugh departs. The midcourt has taken a hit, so it will be interesting to see how new Head Coach Jaime-Leigh Strickland plays former Fever defender Shannon Eagland.
ECU Souwest Jets: Some big additions with Brooke Walker set to bolster their defence, alongside young gun Ruth Aryang. Ella Eastaugh strengthens the midcourt and Brianna Newnham adds power in the goal circle. Lisa Millman has retired making it a young group, with Walker the only player over the age of 25. New Coach Karly Guadagnin has a task on her hands, but on paper, they look good.
Peel Lightning: Its was a tough yet respectable first year performance for the Lightning. They lose some shooting power with Katie Swetman departing for the Rangers. Naomi Pannell might have work to do to ensure she’s got a strong shooting end.
Rangers: Sunday Aryang has been recruited by the Fever and Brianna Newnham and Brooke Walker go to the Jets. The latter is particularly pressing. Aryang and Walker had a formidable combo before Aryang was whisked away to Queensland last year. They pick up Claire Pickerill to pick up some of that slack, and gain Katie Swetman in the shooting end. Will be fascinating to see how new Coach Jo McKee plays her alongside powerhouse shooter Georgia Pitt.
Southside Demons: Picked up former Fever player Chanel Gomes to bolster their midcourt, which looks strong with Gomes and Turnbull set to run point. Darcee Garbin, the sister of NSW Swifts player Sophie and a Perth Lynx basketball player is an exciting pick up.
Warriors: Again look very strong on paper, and with Donnell Wallam set to return after a stint in England and new recruit Sophie Bell, previously a Coastals 20s player, being added to the Opens team. Looking for four in a row and appear to remain the team to beat.
Western Roar: Relatively unchanged from 2020, picking up Chelsea Bartlett as she returns to the Roar from Comets. A year of relatively unchanged combinations should see the team remain settled and consistent.
2020 Ladder
1. West Coast Warriors
2. East Freo Sharks
3. Curtin Hamersley Comets
4. Western Roar
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5. Peel Lightning
6. Rangers
7. ECU Souwest Jets
8. Southside Demons
2020 Grand Final Results
OPEN: West Coast Warriors (68) defeated Curtin Hamersley Comets (51).
MEN: Western Roar (48) defeated West Coast Warriors (33).
20U: Western Roar (54) defeated East Freo Sharks (36).
2021 Fixtures
