Expertise advantages have been demonstrated in a variety of perceptual-cognitive and perceptual-motor components of sport performance. However, comparatively little research has examined the relative contribution of such components in the prediction of talent and the subsequent implications for development. This study sought to address this issue by examining the relative contribution of pattern recall, decision-making, netball passing, and reactive agility skills to netball expertise. Four skill levels were examined; the Australian open squad, Australian 21 and under (21U), 19 and under (19U) and 17 and under (17U) squads. A combination of MANCOVA and discriminant analysis revealed that pattern recall, decision making accuracy and passing skill explained the greatest amount of between-group variability (77.6%) successfully distinguishing the open squad from the other squads and the 21U squad from the 19U and 17U squads. The findings are discussed in relation to both theoretical and practical implications for talent development and progression toward elite performance.
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