Writers: Jenny Sinclair, Ian Harkin, Drew Kennedy, Ariane Virgona, Georgia Doyle, Katrina Nissen
Cover Image: Aliesha Vicars
Netball in Australia is riding a wave of popularity, with 2025 another record-breaking year for Suncorp Super Netball. For the third year in a row, SSN set new records for total attendance and average attendance for a women’s sports league in Australia. The viewing figures were also an increase on previous years.
That surge looks sure to continue as 2026 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet. With plenty of new signings, a host of replacement players coming in for injuries and parental leave, a hopeful Olympics inclusion and the possible introduction of several new teams in the next year or two, there’s plenty of buzz around the sport.
Of particular interest to fans and administrators alike is the inclusion of nine New Zealand players in the competition, after Netball New Zealand bosses reversed course and allowed them to play in Australia. It’s a massive influx of talent from across the Tasman, with some fans rapt and others concerned about the development of Silver Ferns players at the expense of future Diamonds.
With a new deal set to be announced for 2027, questions will be asked – and potentially answered by Australia’s finish at the Commonwealth Games – about whether there should be a limit on imports.
Should some restrictions be put in place, such as an athlete’s availability for their national side, or their ranking compared to a local that also plays that position? Where do people sit on the signing of former international athletes at the expense of younger locals, especially when Australia’s World Youth Cup success showcased an exceptional amount of pathway talent.
Having the best league in the world while also growing Australian talent is a difficult balancing act for league bosses to manage, and the mooted inclusion of two extra teams is another possible answer to adding Australian players to the system.
In this 10th edition of Super Netball, will a team nail bragging rights by claiming their third title? So far, Lightning, Swifts, Thunderbirds, and Vixens have won two premierships each. This is also the 30th season of the National Netball League in Australia. Vixens’ win last season was the ninth national league title for Victoria. New South Wales has seven, South Australia six, Queensland five, while Western Australia and New Zealand have one win each.
How will the competition play out in 2026? Read on as we cast an eye over each club.
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Melbourne Vixens
Team: Kiera Austin (vc), Kate Eddy, Rudi Ellis, Sophie Garbin, Lily Graham, Kate Moloney (c), Hannah Mundy, Emily Mannix, Jo Weston, Zara Walters.
11th Player: Maggie Caris
Coach: Di Honey
Ins: Emily Mannix
Outs: Maggie Caris (to 11th player), Tara Watson (ACL injury)
Finish in 2025: 1st
Strengths
Their fairytale lead up to the finals and clinical win over West Coast Fever proved that “Plan A” netball can take a well-disciplined team to victory. Off the back of this, the Melbourne Vixens will be running into 2026 with confidence and pride. All 10 now have premiership experience with strong depth across the squad, as youngsters Zara Walters and Maggie Caris stepped up in the absence of Hannah Mundy (injury) and Emily Mannix (parental leave) last season. Young gun Lily Graham,also showed that she can handle the pressure, with clutch accuracy and movement elevating the Vixens’ attacking line, when needed.
Despite Simone McKinnis leaving after 13 years at the helm, the Vixens are well acquainted with the now head coach Di Honey, who served as an assistant for 12 seasons. This means that the Vixens will likely pick up where they left off, but will still be exciting to see the changes that Honey will make to the squad’s structures and training throughout the season, and the approach to tactics that she will bring with the new assistant coach, Kate Upton. Kiera Austin also joins the team as vice captain for the first time, likely bringing her calmness and poise on and off the court to elevate the team.
In 2025, the Vixens forced the most penalties against them in the league and had the 2nd fewest intercepts made against them. They were also ranked 2nd for their super shot accuracy at 56.6% and 1st for their gain-to-goal rate at 71.8%. These statistics underscore their clinical ball work and speak to their intimidating connections across the court, making the Melbourne Vixens one of the benchmarks who will be hunted going into 2026.
Challenges
In the coming season, two main challenges will be whether the Vixens can sustain consistent performances and remain injury-free. Finishing fourth, the first half of the season for the Vixens was less than ideal. Despite this, they were able to take out the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the NSW Swifts to earn their place in the Grand Final against the West Coast Fever.
However, in 2026, the Melbourne Vixens will undoubtedly be looking for consistency from the get-go to take the easier route to the finals. This will likely be achieved, as several of the squad members look to solidify their Diamonds spot for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, and happenings behind the scenes look to be settled.
Hannah Mundy missed seven rounds of the 2025 season due to a stress-related foot injury. Jo Weston and Kate Eddy have also succumbed to leg-related injuries over the last two seasons. Tara Watson, the 11th player who debuted in the preliminary final against the Swifts, recently suffered an ACL injury in late 2025 while playing for the Australian pathway team in Tonga. To replace Watson, Maggie Caris joins the team as the 11th player in 2026. Her experience as a training partner and temporary replacement player (for Emily Mannix) means her addition will cause minimal disruption, although this is likely to mean fewer options when the midcourt needs an injection.
Our eyes are on
Fans have been waiting with bated breath for the return of Emily Mannix. Her combinations with Rudi Ellis, Jo Weston, and Kate Eddy, alongside her versatility and match awareness, remain a point of difference for the Vixens. A key question for the season is whether Kate Moloney will maintain the centre position throughout, allowing Hannah Mundy to settle at wing attack while Zara Walters rotates between wing attack and wing defence. Equally intriguing is how Honey will utilise Eddy, knowing her proven impact across wing defence and goal defence.
With this season marking the first that Kate Moloney (C) partners with Kiera Austin (VC), their leadership dynamic will be one to watch, as how they guide the group and apply their deep well of domestic and international knowledge will shape the Vixens’ identity moving forward. And, most obviously, all eyes will be on whether the Melbourne Vixens will join the likes of the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Adelaide Thunderbirds to be the third team to secure back-to-back premierships.
Simone Mckinnis and Di Honey in their last SSN parternship performance. Image: Shaun Sharp | Sporting Moments by Shaun
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West Coast Fever
Team: Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard*, Sasha Glasgow, Olivia Wilkinson*, Alice Teague-Neeld (vc), Jess Anstiss (c), Jordan Cransberg, Fran Williams, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Sunday Aryang*, Ruth Aryang*.
11th Player: Zoe Cransberg*
Coach: Dan Ryan
Ins: Sasha Glasgow (Mavericks)
Outs: Shanice Beckford (not recontracted)
Replacement players: Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (parental leave) will be replaced by Romelda Aiken-George
Olivia Wilkinson (ankle) replacement is currently unknown
Zoe Cransberg (stress reaction foot) will be replaced by Verity Simmons
Sunday Aryang (ACL) will be replaced by Zoe Cransberg
Ruth Aryang (Achilles tendon rupture) will be replaced by Caitlyn Brown
Finish in 2025: 2nd
Strengths
Towards the end of 2025, fans believed that Fever were perfectly poised to go one better after their narrow grand final defeat. Just one change in their line, and Ruth Aryang to re-enter the fold after a long injury rehab.
Then disaster struck with a string of serious injuries, while the joyful news of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s pregnancy also altered their shooting end. And while Fever have a great and close-knit culture, the forced changes in their roster will impact their on court connections and depth. So a look at last season’s stats and line is less than meaningful, and we will instead focus on a few players.
The first of these is the brilliant Alice Teague-Neeld. The SSN’s form wing attack in recent seasons, and MVP in Australia’s series against South Africa, Teague-Neeld has been unlucky not to have more opportunities with the Diamonds. In a team where captain Liz Watson holds down that bib, there’s not much more Teague-Neeld can do to be selected. Her court craft is phenomenal, with her feeds showcasing her shooters in the circle. In addition, Teague-Neeld has worked on her conditioning to become a more well-rounded player. Fever will need all of her craft to feed a completely new look shooting line.
Fran Williams is also set to play far more minutes after spending a lot of time on the bench in 2025. While Williams may not appear to be the flashiest of players, she uses her game smarts to set up gains for her side. Williams plays a great shut down role, and has also challenged herself to win more ball in her own right. With Sunday Aryang out for the season, and Ruth unlikely to return in the near future, Williams has the opportunity to nail a defensive bib, and Fever will rely heavily on her prowess.
And last but not least there’s captain Jess Anstiss. Another player unlucky to miss out on Diamonds’ selection, Anstiss is one of the most underrated but reliable centre/wing defences in the competition. She rarely has a bad game, leads by example, and puts her body on the line in every outing.
Triple Jill MacIntosh medallist Caitlyn Brown will add some oomph to the defensive end, although training partner Scarlet Jauncey could consider herself unlucky to miss out on a gig after a brilliant Ballarat Blitz.
While Fever might lack some ball winning capability with Sunday Aryang out, their midcourt speed and finesse should hopefully see them continue to find the circle with ease, particularly if replacement player Verity Simmons grounds her feet rather than stepping on.
Challenges
It’s a case of the walking wounded in the West, with six of their players – including training partner Jasmah Haywood – out for most or all of the 2026 season. In addition, there are question marks over the fitness of Romelda Aiken-George who is on the return from knee surgery, and Kadie-Ann Dehaney who played just 25 minutes in Jamaica’s recent three test series against Australia. Fans were also alarmed to see Sasha Glasgow take a heavy fall in Fever’s most recent pre-season match, and there’s no news out of camp yet as to how she’s travelling.
While Fever still have a core nucleus of talent, they will be understrength as a result. How well they cope with the absences, and the challenge of pulling a very new look shooting end together, will determine how their season unfolds. While a team that has made finals for so many years in succession should never be written off, it is a massive hill for them to climb.
Add in a horror fixture, where three of their last four games are played away from home, and that hill could prove to be a mountain.
The experienced heads of Teague-Neeld, captain Anstiss and English captain Williams will have the added burden of helping their group cope with such adversity, particularly after their promising season of 2025, where they went on a giant-killing run of 13 consecutive victories only to fall just short in the grand final..
Our eyes are on
Fever made the decision to cut elusive playmaking goal attack Shanice Beckford, and boost their two point firepower by signing Sasha Glasgow. Glasgow has been below her best since a horrific leg injury almost two years ago, and has a point to prove as she looks to bag a place in the English Roses for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow has played some of her best netball for Fever, and at her best is absolutely lethal in the circle. However, she and Alice Teague-Neeld form a strong, rather than speedy, combination across the transverse attacking line, so their ball craft will need to be on point and the midcourt ball carriers will have to do plenty of work.
The form of legendary goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George will also be a focus for fans. The Jamaican has been a powerful weapon under the post, but increasingly hampered by long term knee issues in recent seasons, limiting her ability to train. While Aiken-George had announced her domestic retirement last year, she couldn’t refuse Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s request to cover her maternity leave. With other target goal shooters under contract around the globe, Aiken-George is a strong replacement for her fellow Sunshine Girl, if her knee can hold up to the rigours of the season and a heap of travel.
A string of outs will be Fever’s biggest challenge in 2026. Image: Clinton Bradbury/Bradbury Photography
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NSW Swifts
Team: Grace Nweke, Tayla Fraser, Helen Housby (vc), Sarah Klau, Teigan O’Shannassey, Maddy Proud, Maddy Turner (c), Gina Crampton (replacement for Paige Hadley), Sharni Lambdon, Grace Whyte
11th Player: TBC
Coach: Briony Akle
Ins: Tayla Fraser (Mavericks), Maddy Proud (Parental Leave), Gina Crampton (replacement for Paige Hadley)
Outs: Allie Smith (not recontracted), Sophie Fawns (Manchester Thunder), Verity Simmons (Fever), Paige Hadley (parental leave) .
Finish in 2025: 3rd
Strengths
The NSW Swifts have made a few solid changes that will spice up the 2026 season. Maddy Proud enters the contracted 10 after missing the 2025 season on parental leave, Grace Whyte has been elevated to a full contract, and Tayla Fraser returns from a brief stint at the Melbourne Mavericks. Despite Paige Hadley likely out for the season after welcoming her first child recently, this trio brings composure and attacking-line connection– potential solutions to the midcourt instability that defined 2025.
Grace Nweke has gone from strength to strength in her first year, scoring 718 goals, trailing only Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard in the league. She was also awarded the Swifts MVP and Player’s Player of the Year awards in 2025. Her athleticism as goal shooter will continue to be a strength for the Swifts in 2026, especially as she increases her composure under the post and the shooter-to-shooter connection with Helen Housby.
Housby led the competition in supershots (60) last season, a strength we expect she will continue to exploit in 2026. With a more settled midcourt and coaching continuity under Briony Akle and Dylan Nexhip, the Swifts enter 2026 ready for redemption after their preliminary final loss to the Vixens.
Challenges
Lack of cohesion in the midcourt often saw the pressure absorbed by experienced players like Housby. As a result, she struggled at times to manage the workload outside and inside the circle. For the Swifts to have a successful season, she must be able to focus on her role– providing an option for first or second phase, keeping defenders busy, and shooting for goals. The loss of Hadley will be felt by all, as her presence in the centre offered much-needed structure, stability and an incredibly low error rate, as well as on-court leadership.
This is likely what Akle and Nexhip will be working on– settling a midcourt structure that can spread the workload, while offering squad depth and flexibility (a known strategy for finals success), so that they can hit the ground running. It will also be an opportunity for each player to assume more on-court leadership throughout the season. This may come in the form of more disciplined play, as we have frequently seen the defence amass high penalty counts, undoing hard-earned defensive pressure generated through the middle.
Our eyes are on
In the absence of Hadley, Maddy Turner steps into the captaincy for the coming season, assisted by Helen Housby (VC) and Tayla Fraser. Turner’s leadership style will be a key watch, while coaching decisions around midcourt balance, particularly the integration of Fraser and Gina Crampton (returning from parental leave), will be interesting.
We will likely see Fraser rotated through the midcourt, while Whyte, also a midcourt option, will be used as a third shooter to give Housby some reprieve. Finally, with teams now having assessed Grace Nweke in her debut season, her response to increased defensive attention may ultimately shape how far the Swifts can go.
The devastation shows for the Swifts, who came so close in 2025. Image: May Bailey-Ireland | Clusterpix
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Adelaide Thunderbirds
Team: Sophie Casey, Lauren Frew, Matilda Garrett, Kayla Graham, Kate Heffernan, Georgie Horjus (c), Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (c), Elmeré van der Berg, Tayla Williams, Latanya Wilson
11th Player: Lucy Voyvodic
Coach: Tania Obst
Ins: Kate Heffernan (Steele, ANZP), Elmeré van der Berg (Thunder, NSL), Sophie Casey (elevated from 11th player)
Outs: Hannah Petty (retired), Romelda Aiken-George (Fever), Sanmarie Visser (Rhinos, NSL)
Finish in 2025: 4th
Strengths
The Thunderbirds have been a benchmark in the Super Netball competition for the past three seasons. After grand final victories in 2023 and 2024, they finished fourth in 2025, only going down to eventual champions, the Melbourne Vixens, by two goals. But as they exited the finals series, in the back of everyone’s mind was the fact that the world’s best goal keeper, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, was missing, due to pregnancy.
Now she’s back, and her very presence on court is enough to give fans confidence, as she reunites with Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson in the best defensive combination in the league. In 2024, Thunderbirds combined for a massive 248 possession gains during the regular season (67 more than anyone else). In 2025, with Sterling-Humphrey missing for all but three games, that total dropped to 190 gains. That demonstrates her immense worth to Thunderbirds. The team is undeniably stronger with Sterling-Humphrey in it.
But that’s not all. The off-season has been a real winner with two more top line international athletes joining the club. Stepping into the midcourt is the classy Silver Fern, Kate Heffernan, a player able to dominate at either wing defence or centre. And taking the goal shooter position is South African Elmeré van der Berg, someone who has the ability to play both as a holding shooter and as a long-range exponent during super shot time. Both signings only add to the team.
The theme of this team is versatility and depth, with most players able to play multiple roles. In Wilson, they have someone who is a world beater in three different defensive positions, while Georgie Horjus swings from wing attack to goal attack with total ease. There is a strong bench, with once again, players who can play a range of positions. With so many different combinations available to coach Tania Obst, it is genuinely hard to find a weakness and the Thunderbirds should be considered title favourites.
Challenges
In all honesty, it’s difficult to think of many problems that this Thunderbirds team wouldn’t be able to overcome. Obviously, as Sterling-Humphrey is coming back from childbirth, that creates a challenge in itself. There is always at least a slight question mark over a player’s form and fitness when they return to the game after pregnancy. But the Thunderbirds will do everything they can to support her, and it would be a genuine surprise if she doesn’t have a strong season. She played a solid three quarters in Thunderbirds’ pre-season match against Fever in Perth, and just a few small adjustments to her timing should see her back to her best.
It’s almost an embarrassment of riches with this Thunderbirds team. There are so many different options, Obst could be tempted into making unnecessary changes to give each of her athletes court time. Despite the versatility her squad possesses, she will still need to settle on a best starting seven, or risk overcomplicating things.
Our eyes are on
The imports! The two most recent add as much wow factor as the Thunderbirds’ Jamaican duo, making them a must-watch team in 2026.
Kate Heffernan gave people a glimpse of her class in the recent pre-season Ballarat Blitz. Her pinpoint passing at centre was a highlight, and her effectiveness at wing defence, only adds to the defensive strength of the team which is already the best in the league. She could be one of the stars of Super Netball this year.
Elmeré van der Berg is one of the most exciting signings of the entire off-season. She has recently shown her worth in a very busy international season against New Zealand, Australia, and England. It will be interesting to see just how she is used and how she combines with Lauren Frew and Georgie Horjus in the circle. There’s no doubt that from goal keeper to goal attack, Thunderbirds already possess a tremendous all-round team. The signing of the Proteas’ goal shooter could be the icing on the cake that takes them to a whole new level in 2026.
The Thunderbirds should hold down early premiership favouritism. Image: Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
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Sunshine Coast Lightning
Team: Ava Black, Courtney Bruce (vice-captain), Karin Burger (vice-captain), Mahalia Cassidy, Ash Ervin, Cara Koenen, Leesa Mi Mi, Gabby Sinclair, Donnell Wallam, Liz Watson (captain)
11th Player: TBC
Coach: Belinda Reynolds
Ins: Ava Black (returning from ACL), Karin Burger (Tactix, ANZP), Gabby Sinclair (Panthers, NSL UK), Donnell Wallam (Mystics, ANZP)
Outs: Reilley Batcheldor (Mavericks), Steph Fretwell (retired), Tara Hinchliffe (Mavericks)
Finish in 2025: 5th
Strengths
As has been the case for many years, this is a team littered with stars but which hasn’t lived up to lofty expectations since their back to back premierships of 2017 and 18. The recruitment of Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce ahead of the 2024 season left many pundits belieiving they’d return to premiership glory, but their on court success didn’t match fan expectations. With the addition of more big name recruits this year, such as Karin Burger and Donnell Wallam, there is perhaps more on the line than ever as all players will be off contract at the end of the season.
Burger’s ability to swing across wing defence and goal defence will be something Lightning haven’t had before, as they’ve tended to stick with players who are either a circle defender or defensive mid courter. Where she fits best is yet to be seen, with youngster Ash Ervin worthy of more court time but not at the expense of veteran Courtney Bruce. Expect to see Burger seamlessly switching up between the positions, with her penchant for winning ball back being balanced at wing defence with the shut down role played by the likes of Ava Black and Mahalia Cassidy. Her potential combination in the circle with Courtney Bruce is likely to be one that strikes fear into opposition as both have elite footwork and ability to hunt the ball.
Challenges
With two Diamonds goal shooters, Cara Koenen and Donnell Wallam, in the same team, the challenge will be how to get both on court while also playing to their strengths. Koenen has shown she has the ability to play goal attack, but can she sustain a 60 minute effort without the likes of Steph Fretwell alongside her? An increase in her long range shooting at the end of 2025 is no doubt promising, and should only be enhanced by the confidence of Wallam’s height under the post as a rebound option, but the positional switch will no doubt be something that takes time for the team to adjust to.
The attacking midcourt is also of interest – with a defence heavy roster and essentially two goal shooters in the side, Lightning have limited options available across the wing attack and attacking centre role. Luckily Cassidy is an experienced defensive centre, but if either Watson or Leesa Mi Mi need time off, options will be limited.
We’re also curious to know if national coach Stacey Marinkovich has been on the blower to Belinda Reynolds about star defender Courtney Bruce. She’s had a number of niggling injuries in the last few seasons, which she partly attributes to age, and partly to the harder courts at Lightning. Bruce is essential to the Diamonds Commonwealth Games title defence, and with such a short break between season’s end and the trip to Glasgow, there’s little wiggle room if Bruce is to stay healthy.
The absence of Steph Fretwell will also be a major adjustment for Lightning, not only for her on court magic but her off-court leadership. With a captain yet to be announced, many expect Karin Burger to step into that role. From the on court perspective, the goal attack role has big shoes to fill. Fretwell was the barometer for Lightning for so many years so either Gabby Sinclair or Koenen will need to lift to another level if the shooting circle is to reward the defensive end throughout the season. Sinclair has the accuracy from range and play making ability, but not quite as much court craft, while Koenen plays a vastly different game style that will take the whole team time to adjust to.
Our eyes are on
Donnell Wallam is finally back on Australian shores, and ready to take the world by storm. After a season in the ANZ Premiership with the Northern Mystics, Wallam returns to Queensland but like many before her has found her way up the Bruce Highway to the Lightning. Wallam was the second highest goal scorer during her last stint at SSN, and while she may be sharing court time with Cara Koenen, expect their different styles of play to be used to the team’s advantage.
Ava Black is also set to return from ACL surgery, already having suited up for pre-season games indicating she will be rearing to go for Round 1. The tenacious defensive mid-courter is known for her closing speed and strong hands over pressure, and at only 22 years old will be looking forward to stamping her authority on the court alongside Bruce, Burger, Cassidy and Watson. While she will likely play more of an impact role, with either Cassidy or Burger likely to be starting wing defence, expect plenty of impact when given the opportunity.
Welcome to Country on Kabi Kabi land. Image: Kylie at CBK Photography
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Giants Netball
Team: Casey Adamson, Lucy Austin, Sophie Dwyer, Matisse Letherbarrow, Matilda McDonell (injury replacement for Ward), Erin O’Brien, Amy Sligar (vc), Whitney Souness (c), Jodi-Ann Ward (injury), Jane Watson, Hope White
11th Player: TBC.
Coach: Nerida Stewart
Ins: Casey Adamson (elevated from VNL), Lucy Austin (Thunderbirds), Whitney Souness (Pulse), Jane Watson (Tactix)
Outs: Jo Harten (retired), Jamie-Lee Price (Mavericks), Maddie Hay (Mavericks), Jodi-Ann Ward (injured)
Finish in 2025: 6th
Strengths
The Giants’ 2026 run will be based on a thriving, youthful backline. Amy Sligar was the Giants’ excitement machine in 2025, named as the Super Netball wing defence of the year, and taking the third most intercepts in the league. Erin O’Brien also stood tall, with the second-highest number of gains. While she was solid at goal keeper, she really shone when moved out to goal defence with the experienced Casey Kopua behind her.
Adding the experienced Jane Watson and hopefully a strong and rehabilitated Jodi-Ann Ward gives them one of the league’s spiciest and most entertaining defence ends. Such was O’Brien’s and Sligar’s form that they were named as Diamonds’ squad invitees and look to be stars of the future. Both should get plenty of court time to both showcase their skills and further develop them.
Since the inception of the supershot, Giants have been the leaders in two-point play. That title looks set to continue with the signing of young gun Lucy Austin. She and Sophie Dwyer are fresh off a Diamonds camp where they surely began building their connection. Add in Fast5 queen, Matisse Letherbarrow, and coach Nerida Stewart will be spoilt for choice when building a leading or hunting a goal deficit. It’s another very youthful sector of the court, and as the most experienced member, Dwyer will need to step up in both her leadership of the group and ability to direct players around her.
Challenges
The centre court’s treasure box is a little bare without Liz Ellis Diamond winner Jamie-Lee Price, who has been not only their vital engine, but a tenacious leader and inspiration to Giants fans for the better part of a decade. Like other sections of the court, it’s now a relatively inexperienced group, and incoming former Silver Fern and new captain Whitney Sounness will need to add a steadying influence.
The coaching department also sheds reams of experience with the departure of long term head coach Julie Fitzgerald. It will be important for Nerida Stewart to make her mark and freshen up the franchise, managing a fascinating mix of playing style and personalities.
In 2025 Giants struggled to make good use of earned possession, with the lowest rate of missed shot conversions in 2025. All three of the shooters were in the top 10 for missed goal turnovers – rebounding homework has hopefully been a priority in the off season.
The preseason so far has been challenging for the Giants with some heavy losses, but if they can get some early wins on the board it should give confidence to such a young group of players. Despite them likely to finish in the second half of the ladder, if the Giants can keep the nucleus of this young group together, they should be able to build something special in the next few years.
Our eyes are on
It’s time for a new brand of netball, based on an exciting range of young talent muttered with two very experienced Silver Ferns. Midcourter Whitney Souness uses angles and builds momentum in a radically different way to the departing duo Hay and Price, while defender Jane Watson’s zinging attacking lines and anticipation will scare and shake up a lot of shooters and midcourters alike. Erin O’Brien was at her best last year with the experience of Casey Kopua behind her, and with Watson now on board, O’Brien should continue her rapid trajectory.
Coach Stewart will have to knit two styles and take advantage of an injection of Watson and Souness’ flair and experience. She also has a new option of a tall, strong, holding shooter in Lucy Austin, no longer relying on two equal and moving shooters as the Giants have done for the past five years.
The Giants were a happy group after an early win in 2025 . Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Photos
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Melbourne Mavericks
Team: Amy Parmenter (c), Shimona Nelson, Kim Brown, Uneeq Palavi, Molly Jovic*(vc), Shimona Nelson, Reilley Batcheldor, Jessie Grenvold, Sacha McDonald, Tara Hinchliffe (vc), Jamie-Lee Price, Maddie Hay (parental leave cover for Molly Jovic).
11th Player: TBC
Coach: Gerard Murphy
Ins: Reilley Batcheldor (Lightning), Sacha McDonald (elevated from Reserves squad), Tara Hinchliffe (Lightning), Jamie-Lee Price (Giants), Jessie Grenvold (elevated from 11th player), Uneeq Palavi (elevated from training partner), Gerald Murphy (coach), Maddie Hay (Giants)
Outs: Eleanor Cardwell (Manchester Thunder), Tayla Fraser (Swifts), Sasha Glasgow (Fever), Liv Lewis (AFLW), Lauren Moore (not recontracted), Maisie Nankivell (AFLW), Tracey Neville (coach, returned to UK)
Finish in 2025: 7th
Strengths
New coach, new look roster, which all points to an intriguing 2026 season for the Mavericks. And while they have a swath of recent signings in the mix, many of them have pre-existing combinations from other clubs which will help them to gel. So far, preseason signs have been promising, but how the team performs across 14+ rounds will be one of the talking points of the 2026 season.
Shimona Nelson has confirmed her status as one of the in-form goal shooters of the competition, providing a powerful presence under the post. She will be joined by Reilley Batcheldor who is both a proven long range shooter and itching to prove herself after limited court time with the Lightning. Uneeq Palavi rounds out the diverse shooting circle – she’s a huge talent and while perhaps doesn’t have the engine to run out a full game at goal attack, will undoubtedly be used in the power plays.
One of the toughest competitors in netball, Jamie-Lee Price will add grunt to the midcourt. She works well in tandem with wing defence Amy Parmenter, with the pair spending a significant amount of time together at the Giants. They have also have worked extensively with replacement player Maddie Hay, with the trio a previous midcourt fixture.
It’s ditto for the former Firebirds pairing of Kim Brown and Tara Hinchliffe, who will relish working together again.
Challenges
There are a few challenges that the Mavericks will face, including how they all connect. In such a recently formed club, with an incoming coach and a number of new players, cementing their culture could be a challenge in such a short season. This is somewhat nullified by the number of players who have previously worked together, however, it is unusual to see a Victorian club with….so few Victorians.
Body control is something that the Mavericks will need to master early.. They’ve got a number of athletes who play a highly physical game, and sit high on the penalty list each season. They can’t afford to be put out of play too often, releasing defensive pressure on their opponents.
Height could also be a concern in the defensive end, and to counteract this, their strong defensive midcourt will undoubtedly be working overtime to help stop the ball.
Wing attack could be an area that the Mavericks experiment with. They will be running with the former Giants midcourt of Maddie Hay, Price and Parmenter, and it was a combination that had challenges feeding their circle at times. Having a target shooter like Nelson to feed will help, while all eyes will be on relative newcomer Sacha Macdonald and whether she can snatch the wing attack bib from Hay.
Our eyes are on
Like the Swifts’ Sharni Lambden, Sacha McDonald has been waiting for her SSN opportunity. In previous years, she has spent 3 years as a Vixens’ training partner, a year with the London Pulse before making her way into the Mavericks’ Reserves squad in 2025. While she doesn’t have many inbuilt connections with existing players in the team, she should give Hay a good run for her money in nailing down the wing attack starting bib.
Jessie Grenvold is another youngster on an exciting trajectory. The former South Australian followed coach Tracey Neville to Melbourne, where she took up the role of Mavericks’ training partner. She joined the team last year as their 11th player, and ended up taking part in 11 of the team’s 14 matches. A bright spark in defence, Grenvold’s determination and “never say die” attitude quickly saw her become a fan favourite. The first player to make her SSN debut for the Mavericks, Grenvold will push Hinchliffe and Brown hard for court time.
Kim Brown puts the pressure on Mary Cholhok. Image: Kylie de Souza/Captured by Ky.
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Queensland Firebirds
Team: Mary Cholhok, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Emily Moore, Lara Dunkley (vc), Macy Gardner (vc), Imogen Allison, Maddy Gordon, Ruby Bakewell-Doran (c), Kelly Jackson, Isabelle Shearer
11th Player: TBC
Coach: Kiri Wills
Ins: Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Tactix), Maddy Gordon (Pulse), Kelly Jackson (Pulse)
Outs: Ash Barnett (not recontracted, to Tactix), Tippah Dwan (not recontracted, to Lightning as training partner), Hulita Veve (not contracted)
Finish in 2025: 8th
Strengths
There’s a distinctive Kiwi flavour to the Firebirds in 2026, with New Zealand coach Kiri Wills contracting 3 players from across the Tasman. Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon in particular are stellar pickups, but with just three locals in the team, it does raise questions about the strength of the Queensland pathways.
The defensive end should win plenty of ball, with Jackson’s height and reach sure to challenge most of the league’s shooters. Add in proven ball winner Ruby Bakewell-Doran and rising youngster Isabelle Shearer, and the Firebirds will have one of the best defensive units in the business. In preseason matches, we have seen Bakewell-Doran pushed out to wing defence with Shearer and Jackson forming the backline. This created a fast-moving, rangy defensive unit that worked exceptionally well. And, adding wing defence to Bakewell-Doran’s bag of tricks will only increase her stocks if she’s hoping to gain another Diamonds call-up.
The Firebirds midcourt is also looking strong, with the multi-positional Gordon a huge asset. In recent seasons wing attack has been somewhat of a challenge for the Firebirds, as they’ve struggled to find their shooters, but the former Pulse star has proven to be every bit as good in attack as she is at centre or wing defence. Gordon is used to finding a strong target under the post, and it’s to be hoped she will have more success in feeding Ugandan superstar Mary Cholhok than previous attacking incarnations. The combination of Gordon, Gardner and, Dunkley was very speedy in preseason matches, so hopefully their shooters can reward them.
In 2025, the Firebirds started the season with a bang winning their first two games, before slumping to a wooden spoon. Wills will have her work cut out for her blending new players into each section of the court, but in good news, only three of her side have been absent on international duties, meaning the core of the squad have had plenty of time together.
Challenges
The shooting end caused the Firebirds some grief last year, with Cholhok not quite the target under the post that fans would have hoped for. Whether the issue lay with her positioning or hands, or her midcourt’s ability to find her, it’s hoped that the Ugandan star feels more at home under the post this season.
As a unit, the Firebirds had the lowest shot accuracy last year (at 77.7% – the next highest was 83%). This wouldn’t be an issue if they were gathering their own rebounds, but despite having the tallest player in the league under the post, they also had the highest missed goal to turnover rate. Based on the few preseason matches that have been played, these issues don’t appear to have been rectified over the offseason, although coach Wills has mentioned that shooting technique has been an off-season work in progress.
Goal attack Emily Moore is terrific from range, but with the amount of work she did outside the circle she was often gassed late in each quarter. Another season should see her endurance increase, but she also needs to allow the ball carriers in front of her to play their role, rather than overplay her own.
Of all the New Zealand players to cross the ditch, the inclusion of Te Paea Selby-Rickit caused the most controversy. At 34 and not recently part of the Silver Ferns set up, the question of whether her selection at the expense of a rising Australian is warranted, but will only be answered by the season’s end.
Imogen Allison is another athlete with a huge question mark over her. At her best, Allison is a vital cog in the English Roses midcourt, but has been absent for a number of months after a horror run of niggling injuries. She missed the most recent international season, and is racing time to be fit for the start of the season.
Our eyes are on
Of all the team rosters for 2026, Firebirds will have the most scrutiny on them. Can they integrate a host of New Zealand players, gel together quickly and lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder. With question marks over the number of imports in the league, their success – or otherwise – could impact decision making by the SSN bosses.
However, there’s plenty of talent for fans to get excited about, and hopefully the Firebirds can put plenty of wins on the board after several lean seasons and plenty of controversy.
Maddy Gordon is an excitement machine and will bring plenty of x factor to the side, but expect Jackson, Cholhok and home grown hero Bakewell-Doran to bring plenty of wow factor too.
Firebirds have beefed up their 2026 roster. Image Simon Leonard
