NS SCOREBOARD: SSN Round 3, 2026

Writers: Jenny Sinclair, Ian Harkin, Andrew Kennedy, Ariane Virgona

Photographers: Jodie Dent, Marcela Massey, Simon Leonard, Charlize Leonard

Cover image: Charlize Leonard

Elsa Sif Sandholt in just her second match came up against Shamera Sterling-Humphrey. Image: Charli Leonard

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RESULTS

Melbourne Vixens 72 def Melbourne Mavericks 71 (after extra time)

Sunshine Coast Lightning 66 def NSW Swifts 65

Adelaide Thunderbirds 73 def Queensland Firebirds 46

West Coast Fever 69 def GIANTS Netball 50

The devastation of losing both a tight game and Tara Hinchliffe to injury shows on captain Amy Parmenter’s face. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

NEWS OF THE WEEK

“You sign up for the criticism, that’s what it means to be a professional athlete.” In contrast to some of the recent turmoil in England’s SuperLeague, Helen Housby has been doing Queen things, and taking ownership of what players have to face in regards to their performance. She told commentary’s Kim Green, “It feels like I’ve been playing with that pressure since I started my career, and I think that’s what you sign up for being a professional athlete. I quite like shouldering that.”

Over the past 12 years Housby has been a barometer for the Roses success and also plays a crucial role for her domestic club. Like every player she has a few lean spells or games, but despite being one of the world’s most consistent netballers, there’s still regular scrutiny on her form.

Karin Burger wore Helen Housby closely. Image: Marcela Massey

According to New Zealand expert Bridget Tunnicliffe, the ANZC’s six franchises have ruled out bidding for a license in the SSN’s possible expansion, stating that it’s unviable. While that doesn’t rule out private interests, clubs believe that it is probably unrealistic at this stage and the ANZC should be their main focus.

Problems already abound in New Zealand, with no pay deal in place from 2027, and an across the board 20% paycut already in place this season. Gary Dawson, Magic’s team relationship manager said to Tunnicliffe, “The quid pro quo there is that they are also not expected to train as much as they have in the past, so while they’re earning less, they are doing less work technically.”

However, that doesn’t mean that Silver Ferns athletes could struggle for court play and conditioning in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games. Five of their starting seven currently ply their trade in Super Netball, who must be thrilled to see so many of their players having a strong start to the season.

While pundits are speculating that the position of Roses’ head coach will go to a local when it’s advertised post-Commonwealth Games, England Netball seem to be keeping their eyes wide open at this point in time. During last weekend’s broadcast, President Eboni Usoro-Browne asked Wales specialist coach Reinga Bloxham if she was going to apply. The New Zealand born coach led the Southern Steel to two premierships in the ANZC, and is currently in charge of the Dragons.

On the Sky Sport Off the Court podcast Tracey Neville revealed that when she was the English coach and travelled to Australia to make contact with Helen Housby, she wasn’t allowed into the Swifts training environment. Neville went on to question how NSL clubs would manage the presence of Olivia Murphy as the Roses’ assistant coach, given her existing role with Loughborough Lightning.

And in a very interesting snippet, Neville said that Diamonds and Mavericks’ assistant coach Nicole Richardson was taken off every group chat relating to the Diamonds when the Mavericks were in competition phase. Neville said, “That was all done by Stacey Marinkovich and I thought that was actually really respectful.

“I really respected that and also Richo really respected that as well because then that never put her in any uncomfortable situation about knowing about a player injury first or anything like that.

“It’s so much protection out there in SSN.”

Richo did rejoin chat groups during the international season.

Em Mannix is one of the mums returning to court. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

In a must-listen episode of the Netty Life pod, Em Mannix opens up about her return to netball after pregnancy, the stressful start to life for her daughter Mabel, and the SSN Mums WhatsApp group she said up. Get it in your ears.

Qudos Bank Arena set a timely new attendance record for Super Netball, with 13 462 fans through the gate in last weekend’s double header in Sydney. That figure must be music to the ears of Netball Australia, with a home World Cup on the horizon and the bid for Olympic inclusion ongoing.

The Melbourne Mavericks also recorded a record-breaking 8463 attendees to their first home game of 2026 on Saturday, which was also the first game of the season to go into overtime.

It would seem that Netball WA has ruled out setting up an expansion club and bidding for a new license in any extended version of Super Netball. Their bold five-year strategic plan includes a range of initiatives, including growing Fever as a club.

Cyclone ‘Nasty’ Narelle almost wreaked havoc on Super Netball this weekend, with the Giants on standby for an early flight to the west in case Perth airport was shut down. While Narelle wiped out many of the north western regions, Perth was largely spared other than a torrent of rain and the Giants caught their normal flight as planned.

NEWS OF THE ROUND

In devastating news for Tara Hinchliffe and the Mavericks, she injured her knee in the closing stages of their match against Vixens. It’s a bitter blow for someone who has previously had two season ending ACL injuries, and the incident left her side in tears. Reilley Batcheldor who had played with Hinchliffe at the Lightning, was visibly distressed. Addressing the injury post match, coach Gerard Murphy said it did look like an ACL injury. “She will be sent off for scans. She has done a couple before, so I think that was her feeling as well.”

On Monday morning, it was confirmed that she had ruptured her right ACL. This is terrible news for Tara to be put out of the game to this injury for the third time in the space of just five years. It’s also bad news for the Mavericks who have suffered a series of serious injuries to key players in their short time in the competition. In their third season in Super Netball, this was just the third match they had played with their contracted 10 players.

Devastating. Tara Hinchliffe has suffered her third ACL rupture. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

Jodi-Ann Ward made a pleasing return to court after a year off with injury. After a quasi-warmup second quarter she was right back to her old self, fans being reminded what an athletic spark the Jamaican veteran can bring. She had four gains in her 36 minutes on court, looking particularly good when moved back from the wing to have extra space at goal defence.

Firebirds and Swifts were the last two teams to finalise their 2026 rosters by announcing their 11th players this week. Firebirds named 21-year-old shooter, Elsa Sif Sandholt, and wasted no time in bringing her into their matchday 10. At 192cm, she proved to be a good target and an accurate shooter, both from in close and from two-point range. It was a very encouraging second Super Netball game for her. Swifts named another shooter, Nicola Barge as their 11th player. The 20-year-old will have to wait for her first taste of SSN action.

Should Super Netball teams receive a bonus point for a close loss? In both the ANZ Premiership and the Netball Super League, teams receive one competition point if they are no more than 5 behind after 60 minutes. But that’s not the case in Super Netball. Already this season, we’ve seen five SSN games decided by no more than three goals, including four where the margin was just one. That included a clash that went to extra time. Mavericks have suffered two one goal defeats in a row, and walked away empty-handed both times.

Vixens 72 def Mavericks 71 (MVP: Kate Moloney)

Vixens’ composure under pressure was all that stood between them and their first loss of the season. For much of the 70-minutes Mavericks were in control, leaving the Vixens in the rare ‘chaser’ position. But once the game got tight in the last quarter and then into extra time, it was the big game experience of the Vixens that prevailed. The aftermath of the match saw Mavericks not only disappointed with defeat, but distraught at a serious injury suffered by defender Tara Hinchliffe just before full time.

The match began with the combined defensive pressure from Hinchliffe and Kim Brown forcing uncharacteristic errors from Kiera Austin under the post, which the Mavericks capitalised on early. However, Austin regained her composure to sink much-needed supershots before the 60-minute final whistle to bring the scores level. The key match-up between Jamie-Lee Price and Kate Moloney was physical and fierce, and Amy Parmenter’s relentless hunt for the ball, a skill she credits to the enjoyment she’s having on court, continued to galvanise her team.

After half time, Sacha McDonald went into goal attack (3/3) and controlled play nicely for Mavericks. Uneeq Palavi was introduced in extra time (3/5 supershots), but coming on cold, she unfortunately had 3 handling errors in critical moments. Sophie Garbin was a standout for the Vixens, with 47/52 in regular time and 9/11 in extra time, six rebounds, ten feeds, while her strong hands on aerial balls provided an enduring touchstone for her chasing side.

Jamie-Lee Price challenges Hannah Mundy for the ball. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

Sophie Garbin struggles to get through a Mavericks’ wall. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

Lightning 66 def Swifts 65 (MVP: Cara Koenen)

After single-goal wins for both teams last week, Lightning triumphed at home in a tough and skilful match, absorbing huge pressure to cannily hold possession for the last 50 seconds. The difference in the end was the fantastically low seven general play turnovers by the hosts, combined with their high conversion of earned possession.

Mahalia Cassidy lit up the court when moved to centre, particularly in the second half, finishing with 16 goal assists and one turnover, contributing to beautifully synchronised balance in the Sunshine Coast forward line, and reliable Donnell Wallam gleefully slotting 54/65 and following in for nine rebounds and three turnovers. Cara Koenen continues to improve at goal attack and Liz Watson had a strong game, bringing up 3,000 goal assists in Super Netball.

Swifts made 15 positional changes and substitutions with mixed results, in an effort to keep pace with such an intense match. The reliable havoc caused by Sharni Lambden was a highlight, along with the four first-half gains from Teigan O’Shannassy, and some powerful takes of hotly-contested long feeds by Grace Nweke, scoring 50/56 with six rebounds.

Two young players making a name for themselves this season are Grace Whyte and Ava Black. Image: Marcela Massey

A heavily strapped Maddy Proud is continuing to impress this season, as she returns to court after the birth of her daughter Lily. Image: Marcela Massey

Thunderbirds 73 def Firebirds 46 (MVP: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey)

Adelaide outclassed the Firebirds from the first whistle, displaying exceptional footspeed and commitment to each ball. The brilliance of the Thunderbirds in 2026 is their continual astute reading of play, ready to attack the space for any drive, pass, or intercept. Lauren Frew dominated the front cut while her shooting partner was double-teamed, shooting 12/12 in addition to contributing 10 goal assists.

The Firebirds barely challenged the opposition in transition, and frequently fell into the traps set by Kate Heffernan and Latanya Wilson to pass into the hands of the rampant Jamaican defenders. Being benched for the last six minutes potentially denied Shamera Sterling-Humphrey a tilt at her record for gains – she racked up 13, including five clean intercepts.

Firebirds gradually became more connected, with Isabelle Shearer impactful at goal defence with her longer reach and smart timing earning three gains in 40 minutes. Similarly, a confident game off the bench by rookie Elsa Sif Sandholt, shooting at 92% including 6/7 supershots, showing Firebirds’ eleventh player to be a truly strong target option for the future.

Kelly Jackson gets her hand to a ball. Image: Charli Leonard

Latty Wilson pulls in an intercept over Imogen Allison. Image: Charli Leonard

Fever 69 def Giants 50 (MVP: Kadie-Ann Dehaney)

Fever put last week’s horror outing behind them with a 19 point win over the Giants. Kadie-Ann Dehaney was superb at the back, finishing with 7 gains for a miserly 10 penalties. She worked strongly in tandem with Fran Williams, who is relishing the extra court time this season. Alice Teague-Neeld and Sasha Glasgow controlled the middle of the court between them, Jordan Cransberg played a strong linking game, while Romelda Aiken-George equalled her highest ever points score of 53.

Fever’s centre pass to goal conversion rate sat at 76%, 20% higher than the Giants who had little to write home about until the last quarter, when Casey Adamson sparked them to life. In the rookie’s 24 minutes she notched up 17 feeds and 1 gain, without a turnover. Impressive stuff! Jodi-Ann Ward made a strong return to court and while her partnership with Jane Watson impressed, it left Erin O’Brien on the bench. Attacking turnovers are killing the Giants, with Sophie Dwyer and Whitney Souness responsible for 15 of their side’s 23.

PLAYERS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE

Jessie Grenvold continues to be the ultimate impact player. Starting off the bench for the Mavericks, she came on at goal defence at half time before later switching to goal keeper when Tara Hinchliffe was injured. Grenvold picked off a game high five gains, despite spending less time in the match than any other defender from either side.

While her goal attack game is a work in progress, Cara Koenen is going from strength to strength in her new role. With a dominant post shooter behind her, Koenen only shot 12, but her work rate outside the circle was outstanding. The smooth mover finished with 23 centre pass receives and 15 second phase receives, giving her space and vision to sight Wallam early for 16 goal assists. While Gretel Bueta is one of a kind, if Koenen continues on this trajectory, she could become a genuine tall goal attack option for the Diamonds.

MVP Cara Koenen is looking more assured at goal attack every week. Image: Marcela Massey

Making her way into the match day ten, there was a lot to like about 21 year old Elsa Sif Sandholt. Introduced at the 11 minute mark after Mary Cholhok struggled against Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Sandholt finished with 24/26 (92%), including a terrific 6/7 from supershot range. Sandholt showed good game sense to mix up angles of the hold and often take advantage of the defenders’ keenness to chase out of the circle for intercepts. So impressed was the world’s best goal keeper, that she gave Sandholt a special shout out after the game. With this kind of form, the Firebirds’ 11th player could find herself pegged for more game time.

Elsa Sif Sandholt was one of the few shining lights for the Firebirds. Image: Charli Leonard

There’s not much more the ever-consistent Alice Teague-Neeld can do to push her claims for the Diamonds. Against two quality opponents, Amy Sligar and Jodi-Ann Ward, the wing attack controlled the middle channel for Fever, and finished with an astonishing 60 feeds, 32 goal assists for just one turnover.

Rookie midcourter Casey Adamson provided a steady hand and leadership when the more experienced Giants attacking players were off the boil. In her second game, with 24 minutes, the new Victorian recruit was the best performing Giant with nine goal assists, one intercept, and no turnovers. Coming on a centre when Hope White was benched to cool off after a warning for delaying play, the slightly taller Adamson created space, kept zippily reoffering, and executed patient crisp feeds time and again from a variety of angles.

STAT CHAT

Can anyone beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds? The record-breaking competition frontrunners have won their first three matches of the season by a combined tally of 60 goals. That is the best stretch of three games to open a season by any team in Super Netball history. Their 27-goal win over the Firebirds was their biggest ever winning margin in SSN.

In attack, they weren’t perfect, with every single player conceding at least one turnover, but in defence, they were simply outstanding. Led by Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (13) and Latanya Wilson (7), Thunderbirds finished the game with 28 possession gains, which is a record for Super Netball. Sterling-Humphrey’s 13 gains is two short of the overall record of 15 she shares with Geva Mentor. As if that wasn’t enough, Thunderbirds converted 22 of those 28 gains (79%) into goals. 22 goals from gains in one match is another SSN record.

At the other end of the scale, it was certainly a game to forget for Firebirds’ shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit. She ended the game with 44% shooting accuracy, six general play turnovers, and -50 Net Points. That equals the second-lowest NP score ever. Selby-Rickit’s inaccuracy contributed to the Firebirds’ tally of 10 missed goal turnovers. When added to 27 general play turnovers, Firebirds had 37 turnovers in all, the most of any team so far this season.

To demonstrate how well Thunderbirds are going, let’s have a look at how efficiently each of the teams is converting their opportunities into goals. And here we can see that Thunderbirds are first or equal first in each category.

Centre pass to goal rate
1 Thunderbirds – 135/176 (76.7%)
2 Lightning – 143/189 (75.7%)
3 Fever – 129/173 (74.6%)
4 Swifts – 140/190 (73.7%)
5 Vixens – 127/175 (72.6%)
6 Mavericks – 131/184 (71.2%)
7 Firebirds – 109/170 (64.1%)
8 Giants – 95/160 (59.4%)

Gain to goal rate
1 Thunderbirds – 42/54 (77.8%)
2 Fever – 23/31 (74.2%)
3 Swifts – 14/20 (70.0%)
4 Lightning – 21/31 (67.7%)
5 Mavericks – 29/45 (64.4%)
6 Vixens – 25/39 (64.1%)
7 Giants – 18/32 (56.3%)
8 Firebirds – 16/35 (45.7%)

Turnover to goal rate
1 Thunderbirds – 44/55 (80.0%)
1 Lightning – 20/25 (80.0%)
3 Fever – 22/28 (78.6%)
4 Vixens – 35/48 (72.9%)
5 Mavericks – 25/37 (67.6%)
6 Swifts – 20/34 (58.8%)
7 Firebirds – 19/34 (55.9%)
8 Giants – 20/41 (48.8%)

Uneeq Palavi came on in the pressure cooker overtime. Image: Jodie Dent/Decadent Design

LADDER

Team / Pts / %
1 Thunderbirds . 12 . 139.2%
2 Vixens . 12 . 116.3%
3 Fever . 8 . 105.0%
4 Lightning . 8 . 99.5%
–
5 Mavericks . 4 . 103.6%
6 Swifts . 4 . 90.4%
7 Firebirds . 0 . 80.1%
8 Giants . 0 . 77.8%