And the best handbag in the universe. In netball parlance Amelia is a classic Wing Attack. Shocked when I told her, she screeched “How on earth did you know that?” I discovered my new skill on a balmy Summer afternoon. Feeling the sun’s rays beat down on my netball calves, I reaIised I was different, I realised I was special, I realised that I had a power like no other: just by knowing someone, I could name the netball position they played as a child.

After calling it with Amelia I decided to test my powers on my wider friendship circle. “What did I play? What about me? You haven’t done me yet? Can you guess mine? You’ll never guess what I played!” Bombarded on Facebook by dozens of friends, my new sixth sense began to flow out of me like the juice of a half time orange quarter. I was in control. As in control as my old netball coach (without the parachute material tracksuit, the tobacco stained fingers and the spit covered whistle). I took a deep breath, and began to give my friends the answers they were looking for. Nikki, the overachieving extrovert is a Goal Attack; Sarah the admin woman at work who guards the stationary cupboard with a dead- eyed dagger stare is a Goal Defence; Jackie, the loner with a sense of existential angst is a Goal Keeper; Anna the complicated anal retentive smacks of Goal Shooter; and Mel, the emotionally well balanced all rounder had Centre written all over her. My girlfriend’s sister exclaimed “guess my position!”. I felt like Jesus turning water into wine. “You” I told her, “are a Wing Attack.” Boom!

My girlfriend threw me a stare and asked “How come you guessed my sister and not me?” My hit rate was around 90%. My friends were thrilled that I guessed what letters they once wore on their netball bib. Somehow it brought us closer. It was as if I had reached into their childhood and ripped the Velcro off their pleated skirt, and like a sweaty pair of scungies, my powers just hung there in the air, suspended in motion. I tested my skills on dozens of friends over a period of weeks. Goal after goal. I had indeed become the netball soothsayer. Who cares? I hear you saying.

Who cares that you played two years of netball in the early 80s at the Canoon Road netball courts? Who cares that two years of prancing round the netball court in a red tunic gave you a psychic gift thirty years later? I concur. There is an element of truth to your outrage. I’m not suggesting I’m a Rhodes scholar or a rocket scientist. But take a step back, pivot, fake pass and hear me out. Being a netball soothsayer has enabled me to navigate both my professional and personal life with relative success. As a Warrawee Wildcat Wing Attack circa 1983 I’ve learnt never to date a Goal Defence. I know that Centres are more often than not my soul mates and Goal Shooters usually break my heart. If my boss is a Wing Defence I know I’ll need to upwardly manage but if they’re a Centre my working life will be a dream.

If I have a one night stand with a Goal Attack, let’s just say I won’t be needing any defensive moves around the circle. Now before you accuse me of being the Uri Geller or the Jackie Gillies of the netball world, I’m prepared to go the full four quarters on this one. In honour of my soothsaying netball abilities here’s my captain’s call on six high profile Australian women: Mining Magnate Gina Rinehart: All elbows. Definitely a Goal Defence. Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanya Plibersek: that cool sense of authority shouts Goal Attack.

TV presenter Samantha Armytage: I cannot explain why but I can just hear the words...Wing Attack. Cate Blanchett: anyone who can spend years managing the STC is definitely a Goal Shooter. Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally: N/A played basketball Therese Rein: made up for her lack of sporting prowess by becoming a powerhouse in business. Yep. Wing Defence. I’ll leave it to these six women to speak for themselves. No doubt when they read this serious piece of peer reviewed work they’ll release media statements outlining their sporting history.

So next time you’re concerned about how a friendship is going, whether you’re getting on with your Mum or how to deal with your boss, don’t consult a GP, a shrink or a social worker just ask yourself “what position is this person playing?” Netball my friends, is a way of seeing. Ali Benton is a Wing Attack and Centre. She left the Netball court in 1985 for the Softball field. In her other life she is a producer on ABC News 24’s The Drum. Twitter: @bentobox