The most unpredictable Super Netball season in recent memory is here, with a stack of marquee international imports arriving, and the premiership-winning coach of last year riding off into the sunset.
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Farewell, Simone McKinnis … welcome, Elmeré van der Berg, Kate Heffernan, Whitney Souness, Jane Watson, Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Karin Burger. Not to mention Diamonds shooter Donnell Wallam, back from a brief detour in NZ, and the people’s champion Uneeq Palavi, proud owner of a first full-time contract.
“We’re saying it’s the most unpredictable season yet, and that’s definitely how I see it,” Fox Netball expert Bianca Chatfield says.
“It’s really hard to guess who’s going to be at the top at the end.”
And yet, the Diamonds great has had a crack. She has the Thunderbirds winning a third premiership in four years, and the rebuilding Giants claiming the wooden spoon.
Here is everything you need to know about each team as the season begins, complete with Chatfield’s analysis.
Wallam’s unfinished business in SSN | 04:05
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
Squad: 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
In: Sophie Casey (elevated from 11th player), Kate Heffernan (Southern Steel, ANZP), Elmeré van der Berg (Manchester Thunder, NSL)
Out: Lucy Austin (Giants), Romelda Aiken-George (Fever), Hannah Petty (retired), Sanmarie Visser (Leeds Rhinos, NSL)
Training partners: Jemma Kelly, Jazmin McKay, Tabitha Packer, Charlotte Walker, Molly Watson
Coach: Tania Obst
First game: Swifts, Saturday March 14, 7pm AEDT at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Last season: Third (semi-final)
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: “I’m tipping them to take it out this year but I think they’re going to be slow starters. It’s going to take a while for their attack end to gel,” the Diamonds great says, pointing to their new shooting spearhead.
“We know what Elmere has done for South Africa and we’ve seen her a bit in practice matches for Thunderbirds, but she’s just got so much potential. The more they get used to feeding her and her understanding the physicality that’s going to come every week from the Super Netball defenders, I think they might just have a bit of a slower start but then really fly home towards the end, off the back of such an incredible defensive end that we know will continually provide them with plenty of opportunities.”
Van der Berg was the UK Netball Super League’s top scorer last season, with 567 goals at 92% accuracy and 87 super shots from 16 games; 5.4 per game. And with Silver Fern Kate Heffernan added to midcourt and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey back from maternity leave, joining Latanya Wilson and Matilda Garrett, the T-Birds’ defence is the special edition Rolls Royce of SSN.
“Kate Heffernan is an incredible addition to that already unbelievable defensive end,” Chatfield says. “What we know is that rotations are so important and the more options you have, the more lethal you are. We can see Heffernan play across wing defence and centre, then all three defenders can play across wing defence as well. So I just think they will be continually rotating to try and find their edge on their opposition, depending on who they’re playing. To have that much ammunition to be able to pull on other teams, it’s really going to be hard for attack ends to combat what they’re going to throw at them.”
At the heart of everything will be Diamonds star Georgie Horjus, delivering her blue-chip blend of time in midcourt and attack. Look out, world, come Commonwealth Games time.
“Georgie Horjus to me is a no-brainer. She has to be in the Australian team come Glasgow,” Chatfield says. “Seeing how she works in with Elmere as well is only going to be another string to her bow, working with different shooters and a different attack end. We’ll see her across wing attack and goal attack, she’s just too lethal in both positions.”
BC predicted finish: First (and premiers)
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GIANTS NETBALL
Squad: Casey Adamson, Lucy Austin, Sophie Dwyer, Matisse Letherbarrow, Erin O’Brien, Matilda McDonell* (temporary replacement player for Ward), Amy Sligar, Whitney Souness (c), Jodi-Ann Ward*, Jane Watson, Hope White
In: Casey Adamson (Boroondara Express, VNL), Lucy Austin (Thunderbirds), Whitney Souness (Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, ANZP), Nerida Stewart (coach, elevated from assistant), Jane Watson (Mainland Tactix, ANZP)
Out: Gina Crampton (Swifts), Julie Fitzgerald (coach, retired), Jo Harten (retired), Maddie Hay (Mavericks), Jamie-Lee Price (Mavericks)
Training partners: Eva Carneiro, Audrey Little, Monica ‘Otai, Skye Thompson
Coach: Nerida Stewart
First game: Mavericks, Saturday March 14, 5pm AEDT at Red Energy Arena
Last season: Sixth
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: There’s some exciting talent to watch in this team, at fascinating points in their respective careers — but in a cutthroat competition, they’re the Diamonds great’s unlucky pick for last.
“I imagine the Giants will be an emerging side as opposed to one of the powerhouses when they start the season. I think they’ve got a lot of potential, a lot to prove. Nerida Stewart from my understanding is the right person to be leading them forward,” Chatfield says, with a GS recruit on her watch list. “It’s been a huge move and coup for them to get Lucy Austin to come across, she was obviously a bit disgruntled with how the opportunities came for her at the Thunderbirds in recent times. It’s a huge opportunity for her to be in a starting seven and really own that goal shooter position.”
Always with an eye on the future of the Diamonds’ defensive stocks, Chatfield is anticipating another big season from a rising star.
“Erin O’Brien to me, who had such a breakout season last year, we could see what she could do at goal keeper and goal defence, I’m really interested to watch her development this year, to watch the amount of ball she can get. Hopefully another season under her belt and she’ll be vying for a position in that Diamonds team very shortly.”
Then there’s goal attack Sophie Dwyer, perhaps the only 50-50 call for the Comm Games in the current Diamonds 12.
“I think this is Sophie Dwyer’s moment to really own what she can do and the impact she can have, and especially in an inexperienced side, to show her leadership. She has been there for a while now and has played in some big games, so I think this is her time. I’m sure she’ll want to be on that plane to Glasgow, so really it’s all in her hands what happens next,” Chatfield says, with the new Austin-Dwyer combination likely to keep Matisse Letherbarrow stuck in Super Shot cameo mode.
“I think they’re going to go with the rotation policy and put Matisse out there when they can, and hopefully the firepower that she can bring is enough to keep the Giants contending for that top four.”
BC predicted finish: Eighth (wooden spoon)
MELBOURNE MAVERICKS
Squad: Reilley Batcheldor, Kim Brown, Maddie Hay* (maternity replacement for Jovic), Tara Hinchliffe, Jessie Grenvold, Shimona Nelson, Molly Jovic*, Sacha McDonald, Uneeq Palavi, Amy Parmenter (c), Jamie-Lee Price
11th Player: Charlotte Sexton
In: Reilley Batcheldor (Lightning), Jessie Grenvold (elevated from training partner), Maddie Hay (Giants), Tara Hinchliffe (Lightning), Sacha McDonald (elevated from Mavericks Reserves), Gerard Murphy (coach, Vixens Academy, SSN Reserves) Uneeq Palavi (elevated from replacement player), Jamie-Lee Price (Giants)
Out: El Cardwell (Manchester Thunder, NSL), Tayla Fraser (Swifts), Sasha Glasgow (Fever), Liv Lewis (AFLW), Maisie Nankivell (AFLW), Tracey Neville (coach, football), Lauren Parkinson (not re-signed)
Training partners: Charli Hoey, Teal Hocking, Ruby Shannon
Coach: Gerard Murphy
First game: Giants, Saturday March 14, 5pm AEDT at Red Energy Arena
Last season: Seventh
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: After yet another off-season of heavy personnel turnover, the Mavericks are poised to challenge but again fall just short of a maiden finals appearance, by the Diamonds great’s reckoning.
“I’m excited to see what Gerard Murphy brings, he’s got a solid connection with Nicole Richardson in that coaching position through VNL in Victoria,” Chatfield says, with Diamonds midcourter Jamie-Lee Price the Mavs’ other big new signing.
“This Mavericks side looks different. JLP is an important cog in that midcourt, especially with Molly Jovic out now due to her pregnancy. Reilley Batcheldor to me is an interesting addition, I think she adds a lot of flair and obviously will take a long range shot, so her combination with Shimona Nelson and Uneeq Palavi and how they can build on that together will be key.
“I really expect Mavs to push to be in that top four and I think in midcourt they’re solid. It’s their combination connecting in attack and defence, and how much ball they can get defensively that is going to be really important for them. They really don’t have an overly tall defensive end, so the battle against some of these big, tall goal shooters, it’s going to be important for them to secure as much ball as they can in that midcourt. That’s where JLP and Amy Parmenter really come into their own.”
The Mavs also have a low-key wildcard in their shooting end.
“Sacha McDonald is in that side, they had a practice match against Vixens and she was a standout, she played the whole game for them at goal attack. Her combination with Uneeq Palavi was really something different, so they’ve definitely got options and potentially it’s going to look different to how we’re expecting it to.”
Palavi, the Tonga international who has waited so long for her first full SSN contract, could be the feel-good story of the season if she rains in regular goals.
“All she needs is court time to really keep proving her worth,” Chatfield says. “I just love what she brings to the game. Her flair and ability to make defenders have to think twice about what’s about to happen next, she’s obviously accurate to the post. I really think this is going to be a great year for her and I’m excited to see what she can do.”
BC predicted finish: Sixth
MELBOURNE VIXENS
Squad: Kiera Austin (c), Kate Eddy, Rudi Ellis, Sophie Garbin, Lily Graham, Emily Mannix, Kate Moloney (c), Hannah Mundy, Zara Walters, Jo Weston
11th Player: Maggie Caris
In: Di Honey (coach, elevated from assistant), Emily Mannix (returns from maternity leave)
Out: Simone McKinnis (coach, TBC)
Training partners: Zali Anderson, Mia Lavis, Ally O’Connor, Tara Watson
Coach: Di Honey
First game: Firebirds, Sunday March 15, 2pm AEDT at Nissan Arena
Last season: Fourth (and premiers)
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: The shock of Simone McKinnis’ sudden looming exit pushed the Vixens to a stunning premiership last year, when they went from making pub plans to sneaking into fourth, then shattering the Swifts in an all-time prelim final boilover before knocking off the dominant Fever to win the trophy. And yes, as Kate Moloney reminded us on the GF podium, they did it all with Plan A.
Assistant coach Di Honey steps into the fray with virtually the same A+ squad, and some fresh ideas of her own. But will she have a hungry bunch of defending champions, or a side suffering a significant emotional hangover from the blazing finale to the McKinnis era?
“Di Honey coming into the mix is something not totally unfamiliar to the group and it could be something rejuvenating for them,” says Chatfield, a dual Vixens premiership captain. “They have spoken about how things have changed and there’s a different approach to how they do things, and I think that’s important in the year after winning a premiership and with such big emotions that went around last year. I think for the Vixens, with the players that they have and adding Emily Mannix back into the mix, they have got a team that can beat anybody. It’s going to be their consistency that they’re really going to need to show. If they can play their best and be consistent with their performances, then they’ve got a real shot of taking out the title again.”
With the Comm Games looming, followed by next year’s World Cup, close eyes will be kept on the form of Diamonds shooting pair Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin — and perhaps a midcourt bolter.
“This is great Diamonds prep for that attack end, and Hannah Mundy would be wanting to put her hand up for Comm Games if there was somehow a way she could get herself into that team, and you’ve got Kate Moloney there as well,” Chatfield says. “This would be important for (Diamonds coach) Stacey Marinkovich to continually see them performing, Garbin and Austin – and they do, they show us how they can get it done. Even when they’re under a lot of pressure for the Vixens this year, it’s how they approach it and how they take on the fact that they’re going to be the hunted.”
BC predicted finish: Second
NSW SWIFTS
Squad: Gina Crampton* (temporary replacement – Hadley maternity cover), Tayla Fraser, Paige Hadley*, Helen Housby, Sarah Klau, Sharni Lambden, Grace Nweke, Teigan O’Shannassy, Maddy Proud, Maddy Turner (c), Grace Whyte
In: Gina Crampton (Giants), Tayla Fraser (Mavericks), Grace Whyte (elevated from 11th player)
Out: Sophie Fawns (Manchester Thunder, NSL), Allie Smith (not re-signed), Verity Simmons (Fever)
Training partners: Nicola Barge, Courtney Castle, Jess Conlan (injured, to miss season), Freddie Schneiderman (injured, to miss season)
Coach: Briony Akle
First game: Thunderbirds, Saturday March 14, 7pm AEDT at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Last season: Second (preliminary final)
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: Last year HAD to hurt. The Swifts went 8-0 to start the season, off the back of the megawatt shooting pairing of Grace Nweke and Helen Housby, plus surprise heroes like Sharni Lambden … only for it to end with a nightmare fadeout loss to the Vixens one game short of the grand final, when they lost a prelim by one goal after leading by 10 at three-quarter time. They’ll want to quickly replace that awful memory, if they can.
“I imagine that they would have a lot of thoughts on letting last year slip,” Chatfield says. “For them, that was a big missed opportunity and that would be really hurting them all still I think. You’ve only got so many chances with certain players in teams and as this team’s been together for quite a while now, I imagine that they will really want to try and make the most of this season because they don’t probably know how many more seasons they’ve got with some of their more experienced players.”
Midcourt menace Maddy Proud is back from maternity leave, tag-teaming with fellow Diamonds mum Paige Hadley. It’s not only a conveniently-timed switch, but a potentially transformative one as the Swifts seek meaningful tweaks after their agonising near-miss.
“Maddy Proud coming back into that team too, that’s going to be an important addition. She really is a steady, rock-solid player and leader for them, and defensively we know they can get ball,” Chatfield says. “I just love how supportive the club are of the mums in their side – and also add Gina Crampton as well into that mix. We didn’t get to see her for the Giants because of the political issues with the 11th player last year. I think Gina Crampton’s going to add a whole lot more into that attack end and especially the way she will be able to feed Nweke. As much as Paige Hadley’s a big, important player for that side, I actually think having a Proud-Crampton combination is really going to add to what they can do.”
As for Nweke 2.0? The Silver Ferns superstar will have learnt plenty from last year and that’s ominous for the rest of SSN.
“I can imagine Grace is going to have really built her skillset out from last year. They had phenomenal performances, obviously went 8-0 in the first eight rounds, which was an incredible start; we think anyone was able to beat them. There’s a lot of learnings they’ll take out of that and Grace in particular, her second season, she’ll be more aggressive on to that ball and I think she’s going to be a real weapon up front for the Swifts.”
BC predicted finish: Fourth
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
Squad: Imogen Allison, Ruby Bakewell-Doran (c), Mary Cholhok, Lara Dunkley, Macy Gardner, Maddy Gordon, Kelly Jackson, Emily Moore, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Isabelle Shearer
11th Player: Elsa Sif Sandholt
In: Maddy Gordon (Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, ANZP), Kelly Jackson (Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, ANZP), Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Mainland Tactix, ANZP)
Out: Ash Barnett (Mainland Tactix, ANZP), Tippah Dwan (Lightning, training partner), Hulita Veve (not re-signed)
Training partners: Sasha-May Flegler, Jessie Laga’aia, Lillyana Rennie
Coach: Kiri Wills
First game: Vixens, Sunday March 15, 2pm AEDT at Nissan Arena
Last season: Eighth (wooden spoon)
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: The franchise that took the New Zealand eligibility rule change and flew to the moon with it, Queensland are thus the most intriguing team in the league this season. By adding Silver Ferns stars Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon in particular, the Firebirds have seriously upgraded — though how much difference is makes straight out of the blocks remains to be seen. Towering Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok needs to lift alongside the recruits.
“This is the most fascinating team,” Chatfield says. “The changes that have been made, having the Kiwi players come in with a Kiwi coach, I think we can expect Firebirds to look different to a lot of other Super Netball sides in the way that they play the game, and that is where they’re probably going to surprise a few teams.
“Mary Cholhok, this is a huge opportunity for her in her second year. She probably didn’t hit the highs that we thought she would in year one because it was a bit of a shock to the system about the physicality and just her accuracy on the shot; all things that she really had no time to work on in pre-season last year. She’s had now more time under her belt in that environment, so I expect her to be a much stronger presence for them in that shooting position. But Kiri Wills has really added some depth in bringing in Selby-Rickit in that shooting end, she’s another very tall, experienced player who can be goal attack or goal shooter for them and I think having Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon in there too … three guns that know how to play the game at the top level.”
There’s existing experience there in Macy Gardner and captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran, while the young talent with benefit from being surrounded with A+ new teammates.
“I really rate Isabelle Shearer, their young defender, but she’s still raw and it’s very hard when they’re getting beaten so significantly for her to have an impact at goal keeper,” Chatfield says. “So I hope Kelly Jackson really brings in that mental role for Isabelle Shearer and she can learn a lot off her. She’s a rock-solid defender, Jackson, she has an amazing lean over the shot and can early harass the most dominant shooters, so I really think she’s going to be an important part of everyone building around her. Shearer is the future but Kelly Jackson is the now for them.”
BC predicted finish: Seventh
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
Squad: Ava Black, Courtney Bruce, Karin Burger, Mahalia Cassidy, Ash Ervin, Cara Koenen, Leesa Mi Mi, Gabby Sinclair, Donnell Wallam, Liz Watson
In: Karin Burger (Mainland Tactix, ANZP), Gabby Sinclair (Birmingham Panthers, NSL), Donnell Wallam (Northern Mystics, ANZP)
Out: Reilley Batcheldor (Mavericks), Steph Fretwell (retired), Tara Hinchliffe (Mavericks), Kristiana Manu’a (temporary replacement, retired)
Training partners: Baylee Boyd, Jada Delaney, Tippah Dwan, Maddie Hinchliffe
Coach: Belinda Reynolds
First game: Fever, Sunday March 15, 4pm AEDT at RAC Arena
Last season: Fifth
First game: Fever, Sunday March 15, 4pm AEDT at RAC Arena
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: Having loaded up two years back with Diamonds stars Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce, Lightning’s time for a serious run at the premiership may finally have arrived. Watson’s form is ageless, Ava Black returns from injury, while Test shooter Donnell Wallam and Silver Ferns interim captain Karin Burger are their big additions, each presenting tantalising line-up prospects.
“Lightning are the team that are completely under the radar. They’ve made some big moves,” Chatfield says.
“We’ve got Donnell Wallam coming back in and we know how much damage she can do as a shooter. The Cara Koenen/Wallam combination will be interesting, how they make that work, but we know what Gabby Sinclair can do too, coming back into the fold.
“I don’t mind seeing what Cara can do out there (at GA), especially because as a shooter, the connection with Wallam and the ability to feed Wallam I think will only release Cara to find her own space along the baseline, because she won’t be the focal point. I almost think it might help Cara’s game a bit, getting out of that circle. We saw it a bit at Diamonds, when she was moving in goal attack. But it is a challenge for her and an opportunity, because she’ll want to be on that plane to Glasgow too and it’s important that she has a great season. Even a Koenen and Sinclair combination could be really important to Lightning at different times, to keep defenders guessing.”
Adding Burger is a fresh statement of intent by a club that so far hasn’t offered a genuine title tilt after major roster investment.
“Defensively this allows their set-up now to have an Ash Ervin on keeper, Courtney Bruce on goal defence and Karin Burger on wing defence. It’s a defensive end that can get a lot of ball and also be very intimidating, so I think Lightning are going to be right up there and really have a dominant season. There may be some teething issues to start with but I really feel like they’re going to have a huge year.
“I think this defensive end for Diamonds is pretty set, but you just never know this year with injuries. You hope there’s no injuries to that top 12 but if there is, Ash Ervin would be definitely one of the next ones there. I think Matilda Garrett’s done enough to put herself in that 12 but Ash Ervin definitely adds another taller option that we don’t have in that side. If it’s not this Comm Games, it will probably be next.”
BC predicted finish: Third
WEST COAST FEVER
Squad: Romelda Aiken-George* (maternity replacement for Fowler-Nembhard), Jess Anstiss (c), Ruth Aryang*, Sunday Aryang* (injured, to miss season), Caitlyn Brown* (temporary replacement player for Ruth Aryang), Sloan Burton* (temporary replacement player for Wilkinson) Jordan Cransberg, Zoe Cransberg* (injury replacement for Sunday Aryang), Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard*, Sasha Glasgow, Verity Simmons* (temporary replacement player for Zoe Cransberg), Alice Teague-Neeld, Olivia Wilkinson*, Fran Williams
In: Romelda Aiken-George (retirement/Thunderbirds), Sasha Glasgow (Mavericks)
Out: Shanice Beckford (not re-signed)
Training partners: Sloan Burton, Scarlet Jauncey, Jasmah Haywood
Coach: Dan Ryan
First game: Lightning, Sunday March 15, 4pm AEDT at RAC Arena
Last season: First (runners-up)
Bianca Chatfield’s verdict: It’s tough to know precisely how last year’s minor premiers and grand finalists will fare after losing five-time SSN MVP Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard to a welcome pregnancy then getting decimated by injuries. The Fever list is a proper casualty ward, with sisters Ruth and Sunday Aryang trading places on the injured list; Ruth hoping to make her return from an Achilles rupture, and Sunday gone for the season thanks to a torn ACL.
“Fever are probably the most unknown quantity,” Chatfield says. “Sasha Glasgow I’m excited to see, and her combination with Romelda Aiken-George; and Romelda coming out of retirement is incredible in itself. What a replacement for Fowler-Nembhard. Sasha didn’t have the greatest time when she was at the Mavericks, so this is an opportunity where she is back where she played her most dominant netball. Hopefully that gives her a new lease on life in the goal attack position.”
Fever put together an astonishing unbeaten run from Round 3 to the grand final last season. While mainstays such as Kadie-Ann Dehaney are back to keep the ship on course, the injury list is unusually cruel before Round 1 has even arrived.
“They’ve just been absolutely depleted. It’s hard to believe that the side they could put together for the grand final last year is now looking very different. But they still have some rock-solid performers: Alice Teague-Neeld’s still there and she’ll be able to find a way to post, no doubt, and really guide this group that look a bit different this year. She’ll do very well at finding Romelda, and having Romelda there will take a bit of pressure off Glasgow in just finding some space in the circle.”
Aiken-George, 37, is now the most capped player of the Suncorp Super Netball/ANZ Championship eras (245 games), but can this season catch Cath Cox (254 games) as the all-time record holder. Now with her fourth club, and with as many premierships to her name, it’s been a mighty career.
“The fact she’s still playing … She amazes me every single time. She’ll overtake Coxy very soon for most games played and she deserves it. She’s had to move clubs to find opportunities when things have gone against her, and she keeps finding a way. You can certainly never, ever doubt her,” Chatfield says.
Whether it’s a successful season as Aiken-George chases that lofty milestone will in large part come down to the peerless tactical creativity of coach Dan Ryan, given his roster challenges.
“Such a mathematician, the way he puts it all together and analyses the game, and of course they’ve got Sharni Layton over there now as a defensive coach, and Ash Brazill’s working with them too.”
BC predicted finish: Fifth
BIANCA CHATFIELD’S SSN 2026 PREDICTED LADDER
1. Adelaide Thunderbirds
2. Melbourne Vixens
3. Sunshine Coast Lightning
4. NSW Swifts
5. West Coast Fever
6. Melbourne Mavericks
7. Queensland Firebirds
8. Giants Netball
Premiers: Thunderbirds
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