With little more than a week before the first whistle blows for Round 1 of the 2025 season of Suncorp Super Netball, it’s time to have a look at how each of the eight clubs will fare. Netball Scoop writers check out their strengths, challenges and what we are keeping an eye on. Can the Adelaide Thunderbirds pull off a three-peat? What will the top four look like ahead of finals? And how will some of Australia’s most promising rookies, and the new internationals, fare as they look to make their mark on the competition?
Can Thunderbirds make it three titles in a row? Image: Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
Preview by: Ian Harkin
Team: Romelda Aiken-George*, Lucy Austin, Lauren Frew, Georgie Horjus, Matilda Garrett, Kayla Graham, Hannah Petty (C), Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Tayla Williams, Latanya Wilson
Temporary Replacement Player: Sanmarie Visser* (for Aiken-George)
11th Player: Sophie Casey
Coach: Tania Obst
Ins: Kayla Graham, Sanmarie Visser
Outs: Laura Scherian
Finish in 2024: 1st
Strengths
It’s no great secret that the Thunderbirds’ strength lies in their defence. Goal keeper Sterling-Humphrey has been a dominant force since she debuted for Thunderbirds in 2019, regularly topping the league’s defensive statistics. Fellow Jamaican, Wilson arrived in Adelaide two years later and has steadily raised her game. She can play all three defensive positions well, but it’s at wing defence where she’s a revelation, shutting down her opponents while racking up the stats. Last season, Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson finished 1-2 in Super Netball for possession gains, intercepts, and deflections.
But it’s far from a two-woman show. Goal defence Garrett does equally as much hard work in the circle but tends to go unnoticed. Then there is the defensive help from midcourters Williams and captain Petty. As a team, Thunderbirds averaged 17.7 gains per match during the 2024 regular season, well ahead of the next-best Vixens on 12.9. This season, there’s an added element with the signing of South African Visser as a temporary replacement player. How much involvement Visser will have isn’t certain yet, but her form in the recent Netball Nations Cup should excite Thunderbirds fans.
Challenges
One of the challenges facing Thunderbirds this season will simply be the pressure of being two-time defending champions. It’s no easy task to win two straight titles as they have done, and three in a row is that much harder. Every team will try to knock the champions off their perch, and if things get tough, will their resolve hold?
Over the past two seasons, Thunderbirds have been quite lucky with injuries, but that can’t last forever. Already we’ve seen that star goal shooter Aiken-George will miss at least the start of the season due to a minor knee injury. Meanwhile, Sterling-Humphrey was rested for most of the Team Girls Cup, citing tendonitis and calf strains. Thunderbirds have great versatility in their lineup to cover for injuries, but the rigours of another hard season could test that.
With Aiken-George sidelined, Austin is likely to be the starting goal shooter. After a promising debut season in 2023, she took a back seat to Aiken-George in 2024 and finished the season with the least game time of any of the Thunderbirds’ squad. The challenge will be for Austin to step up this year and potentially play a much bigger role.
Our eyes are on
When Georgie Horjus was announced as Super Netball Player of the Year in 2024, it surprised many, including Horjus herself. But it was a just reward for a fabulous year. Her ability to seamlessly switch between wing attack and goal attack, and her creativity in each position, was a joy to watch. There’s no bigger endorsement of her value to the team than noting Thunderbirds’ worst performance of the year came when Horjus was rested. It will be interesting to see if she can maintain or, better yet, elevate her game this year.
We will also be watching the use of the super shot. Thunderbirds used the two-pointer less than any other team in 2024. So much so, that they didn’t even attempt one in the grand final. And in the recent Team Girls Cup, despite winning, Thunderbirds were the least proficient team with the super shot. Speaking of which, do we dare talk about the so-called “curse”? From four previous editions of the Team Girls Cup, the winner has not been able to go on and take out the Super Netball title. This Thunderbirds team looks capable of breaking that hoodoo.
Vixens introduced Zara Walters, Sophie Garbin and Rudi Ellis in the 2024 season. Image: Shaun Sharp
MELBOURNE VIXENS
Preview by: Ariane Virgona
Team: Kiera Austin (C), Maggie Caris*, Kate Eddy, Rudi Ellis, Sophie Garbin, Lily Graham, Emily Mannix*, Kate Moloney (C), Hannah Mundy, Zara Walters, Jo Weston
Temporary Replacement Player: Maggie Caris* (for Mannix – parental leave)
Coach: Simone McKinnis
Ins: Lily Graham (full contract), Maggie Caris
Outs: Mwai Kumwenda
Finish in 2024: 2nd
Strengths
The Melbourne Vixens have a star-studded Diamonds line-up across the court that have the capacity to breathe new life into a largely unchanged team. A key strength of the Vixens will lie in their versatility and flexibility. For example, at the Team Girls Cup, we saw Garbin take the court in goal attack, while Graham and Austin slotted into the goal shooter position – making it more difficult for defenders to adapt to their game. Vixens have such options all over the court.
We may also see Eddy play more goal defence this season, with her outstanding closing speed and aerial elevation, allowing Moloney and Weston to take the wing defence bib depending on the opponent, and adding another layer of versatility to the Vixens defence. Narrowly finishing second in 2024, we know the Vixens will be hungry to redeem themselves and take learnings from that last game into season 2025, as Captain Moloney noted on Sunday at the Vixens fan day at Federation Square.
Challenges
The loss of Mannix – Netball Scoop’s 2024 goal defence of the year– for the foreseeable future will be massive for the Vixens. On her own, Mannix scored the highest average Nissan net points of any goal defence for the season, and was formidable in combination with Weston and Ellis. The Vixens defensive end has been plagued with soft tissue injuries in season’s past, and they will be hoping to keep both Weston and Eddy on court across the season. The Vixens have an insurance policy in place though, including Caris as one of four defenders signed for the season.
Eddy, a crucial link in the defensive armour for the Vixens, has had injury woes in the past, which, if she continues to face this season, could hinder their consistency to contest the top teams.
Given the addition of Caris as a temporary replacement for Mannix, the success of the team will depend on the experienced players remaining on the court for the seasons’ entirety. In her first year in the contracted ten, Graham will also need to play a strong game to compete with the intensity of the world-class defenders, who will be working hard to play on her inexperience.
With Austin in formidable form last year, defenders will look to both limit her access to the supershot, and intimidate her and Garbin’s relatively flatter shooting arc once the distance to post increases. A well-timed jump can balk both of them, so the talented young Graham could make her mark during the super shot period.
Our eyes are on
While the Vixens have a star-studded shooting and defensive circle, it’s their exciting and well-drilled midcourt that could prove to be the difference. Walters, who despite an injury cruelled season, took out the Vixens Rookie of the Year and the Coaches’ Award in 2024. However, we didn’t get to see the full capacity of the combination between her, Moloney, and Mundy play out. To increase the versatility of the midcourt, we may see Walters potentially get a run in centre, while allowing Moloney to focus on her signature shutdown role in wing defence.
As the second youngest contracted player in SSN history, all eyes will be on how Graham handles the pressure of Super Netball. If her debut in Round 13 (2024) is anything to go by, she will likely rise to the challenge (17 goals, including six super shots, in 29 minutes of netball). From a broader perspective, all eyes will be on how the Vixens bring a novel approach to their brand of netball, leveraging their strengths in ball speed, agility, and discipline while injecting strategic versatility across the court.
Alice Teague-Neeld will play a pivotal role in attack for Fever. Image Clinton Bradbury/Bradbury Photography
WEST COAST FEVER
Preview by: Jenny Sinclair
Team: Jess Anstiss (C), Ruth Aryang, Sunday Aryang, Shanice Beckford, Jordan Cransberg, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Mwai Kumwenda, Alice Teague-Neeld, Olivia Wilkinson, Fran Williams.
11th player – Zoe Cransberg
Coach: Dan Ryan
Ins: Mwai Kumwenda*, Ruth Aryang
Outs: Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard*, Kelsey Browne
*Kumwenda is a temporary replacement player for Fowler-Nembhard, who is on indefinite leave following her pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage.
Finish in 2024: 3rd
Strengths
There’s a lot to like about Fever in 2025. They fell just short of making last year’s grand final by a solitary goal, despite six new players and a vastly CPA-shortened preseason. This year, with the benefit of more time together, their connections and court craft should step up a notch.
Ruth Aryang adds excitement to an already potent backline, with the addition of a fourth defender to the roster reminiscent of their maiden premiership team. The quartet gives coach Dan Ryan numerous options, with the Aryang sisters and Williams capable of playing multiple positions in front of goal keeper Dehaney. Pivotally, Fever also seem to have a better handle on defending during the supershot periods, something which eluded them in earlier seasons.
Wilkinson was a standout during the Team Girls Cup, and a more mobile shooting circle featuring her, Kumwenda and Beckford could prove difficult for opponents to handle. While the quick route to goal via Fowler-Nembhard is a loss, Kumwenda in particular offers a more potent two point option than fans have seen for a few years. The Malawi international is still working her way back to full fitness after maternity leave, but her experience and ability to shoot from range could help Fever to close out tight games.
Crucial to Fever’s chances of going one or two steps better in 2025 will be the potent goal attack/wing attack combination of Beckford and Teague-Neeld. Their play-making ability is exceptional, which will be needed as Fever create ways to feed a circle no longer dominated by Fowler-Nembhard. Beckford’s speed and skill was a revelation in the earlier rounds last year, and she will be hoping to hold that form longer after experiencing her first ever year in a full-time environment.
Challenges
Fever have two big hurdles to overcome this year. The first is a horrific mid-season fixture, where they are on the road for four games out of five. It’s a yip that Fever face each year, and one that neither they – or the Super Netball fixturing department for that matter – have yet to get a handle on. At their season launch captain Jess Anstiss said the team is still looking for ways to overcome this extended period of travel fatigue, and will be adding in some midseason downtime. In the meantime, they will need to bank wins at the front and back ends of the season if they want to be in finals’ contention.
Secondly is the loss of their high volume shooter, Fowler-Nembhard. The superstar is currently the best in the world under the post, and her athleticism and accuracy are nigh impossible to replicate. Fever will freshen up their circle with a more mobile approach, but how that unfolds is yet to be determined. In some good news, the club recently announced that the Jamaican captain is making a return to the Fever training environment, after suffering a devastating miscarriage recently. There is no time line on when – or even if – she will return this season, however.
Our eyes are on
Fever’s team stats have been exceptional in recent years, and 2024 was no different. They ranked first in the league for conversion of their centre passes, gains and turnovers into goals, all significant indicators of how successful a team is. While part of this is due to the exceptional accuracy of Fowler-Nembhard, it’s also a tribute to Fever’s ball carriers who were able to maintain possession under heavy defensive pressure. If Fever can maintain their position near the top of the stats leaderboard, it should lead them to another set of finals.
And while it’s a big call this early on, will the Aryangs be the next set of sisters to play for the Diamonds? Sunday made the roster several years ago, although her promising youngest sister’s progress was slowed after a devastating knee injury in 2023. Now fully fit again after a prolonged period of rehab, Ruth was in strong form at the Team Girls Cup and the duo came up with a combined 13 gains. Ruth’s penalty count will be a work on as she adjusts to Super Netball, as it was on the high side during the preseason tournament.
Ash Ervin and Leesa Mi Mi will look to build on their good form of last season. Image: Kylie at CBK Photography
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
Preview by: Georgia Doyle
Team: Reilley Batcheldor, Ava Black*, Courtney Bruce, Mahalia Cassidy, Ashleigh Ervin, Steph Fretwell (C), Tara Hinchliffe, Cara Koenen, Kristiana Manu’a, Leesa Mi Mi, Liz Watson
Coach: Belinda Reynolds
Ins: Kristiana Manu’a* (replacement player for Ava Black)
Outs: Ava Black* (ACL injury)
Finish in 2024: 4th
Strengths
After a 2024 season that fell short of expectations following the signing of two of the sport’s biggest names in Watson and Bruce, 2025 will be a season for redemption for Lightning as they look to show their star recruits made the right choice to move to the Coast. Heading into the season with an unchanged line up, with the exception of Manu’a coming in for the injured Black, they will have connections on their side as well as a solid pre-season with Diamonds players only away for a one week camp versus the usual overseas tour. At the Team Girls Cup, Batcheldor looked as strong as ever, taking the opportunity for regular minutes rather than just coming on as a super shot hero. Look for her to play a bigger role in 2025, alongside Fretwell, as Koenen continues to struggle with her long range shots.
Challenges
Already having lost Black to injury before the season even started, Lightning will do well to stay injury free after a few woes in 2024. Bruce in particular was on limited minutes for much of the season, and while Ervin took the opportunity with both hands, there is still a certain firepower someone like Bruce brings to the back line. And as the league’s goal shooters get taller and stronger, with the addition of the likes of Grace Nweke and Mary Cholhok, Bruce’s experience will be vital for Lightning’s success.
Koenen was one of only two starting goal shooters, the other being Romelda Aiken-George, not to score a single super shot in 2024. While teammate Fretwell was the fourth most accurate across the league from long range, the pressure on her during the super shot period is immense. Batcheldor often struggled to warm into the game when only thrown on in the Power Five, so either the side needs to look at an alternative rotation strategy in the goal circle, or Koenen needs to work on improving her confidence from range to help in splitting the defense and giving Fretwell an easier chance at goal.
Our eyes are on
How Kristiana Manu’a fits into the line up is yet to be seen. Having traditionally been a circle defender for much of her elite career with the ability to swing to wing defence as needed, her selection as a replacement player for defensive mid-courter Black was one that raised some eyebrows. With Maddie Hinchliffe as their 11th player, also a defensive middie, it leaves little room for error in the attacking end which has been hot and cold the last few years. While there is no doubt the experience of Manu’a will be beneficial, should the attacking end fall out of form there won’t be much room to shuffle players around unless someone is truly injured.
Amy Parmenter lays down some fancy footwork to avoid going offside. Image: Aliesha Vicars
MELBOURNE MAVERICKS
Preview by: Jamie Keay
Team: Kim Brown (nee Jenner), Eleanor Cardwell, Tayla Fraser, Sasha Glasgow, Shimona Jok, Molly Jovic, Olivia Lewis, Maisie Nankivell, Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore), Amy Parmenter
11th Player: Jessie Grenvold
Coach: Tracey Neville
Ins: Shimona Jok (elevated training partner)
Outs: Gabby Sinclair
Finish in 2024: 5th
Strengths
The return to the court for Sasha Glasgow after spending last year recovering from a horrific leg injury will be a huge strength for the Mavericks. When Glasgow last played Super Netball in 2023, she was equal second when it came to number of supershots made and with a 65% accuracy she will be a key part of the Mavericks attacking strategy.
It seems hard to believe that this is Shimona Jok’s seventh season in Super Netball and with the Jamaican shooter continuing to add to her game she will once again be a big target for the Mavericks mid courters. After spending last season with the Mavericks as an injury replacement player for Glasgow, her strength and volume in the shooting circle was a large contributor to their success. At the recent Team Girls Cup, Jok showcased her accuracy in the Mavericks’ 21 goal win over the Lightning where she shot 38/40 goals and only had one turnover.
Challenges
Last season, Mavericks were plagued with injury woes and unfortunately 2025 is starting off the same way. Eleanor Cardwell had surgery several months ago, however less than two weeks out from the start of the season, she has had to undergo further surgery on her left knee taking her out of contention for the early rounds. This latest development is in addition to Lauren Parkinson’s limited minutes as she prepares for a return after sustaining an ACL injury last season, while Molly Jovic has also been off court for a number of preseason matches.
These injuries mean that the Mavs will be introducing training partners or other athletes to their game-day squads. With disruptions to team dynamics hard to contend with, Mavericks will be in for a challenging start to the season.
Our eyes are on
The Mavericks defenders. In 2024 they didn’t win enough ball and finished the regular season with a team total of just 50 intercepts, the lowest number in the league. Parkinson’s return will be a welcome change, especially with her ability to slot into either goal keeper or goal defence, as Liv Lewis and Kim Brown are specialists in their positions. In her pre-injury peak form, Parkinson was known for her elusive and uncanny ability to disrupt vision into the circle. This coupled with Lewis’ elevation and Brown’s hunting ability will make for a very dynamic and versatile defensive unit that fans will be eager to see.
Mav’s captan Amy Parmenter will also be another to watch. Last season was undoubtedly stressful for her as she shouldered the burdens of captaincy and leading a start-up club. In 2025’s preseason matches Parmenter has played across wing defence and centre, looking more comfortable and assured in her role.
The Swifts will benefit from the introduction of specialist defensive coach Dylan Nexhip, after racking up the penalties in 2024. Image: May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography
NSW SWIFTS
Preview by: Andrew Kennedy
Team: Sophie Fawns, Paige Hadley, Helen Housby, Sarah Klau, Sharni Lambden, Grace Nweke, Teigan O’Shannassy, Verity Simmons, Allie Smith, Maddy Turner
11th Player: Grace Whyte
Coach: Briony Akle
Ins: Grace Nweke (Northern Mystics), Sharni Lambden (Melbourne Vixens), Verity Simmons, Grace Whyte (Swifts training partner)
Outs: Maddy Proud (pregnant), Samantha Wallace-Joseph (Loughborough Lightning), Lili Gorman-Brown (Swifts training partner)
Finish in 2024: 6th
Strengths
There’s no looking past THE coup of the off-season, the surprise signing of New Zealand’s best shooter, Grace Nweke. While she looks set to challenge Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s supremacy as the best shooter in the world, Nweke’s decision has meant that she is ineligible to represent the Silver Ferns while signed with the Swifts. How this plays out in real time with Netball New Zealand, especially if Nweke re-signs for 2026 – a Commonwealth Games year – is yet to be seen.
Pre-season hit-outs have reinforced the devastating potency of an attack line anchored by the towering young Kiwi goaler. Nweke’s height, reach, positioning, and timing are unstoppable with a well-executed ball, and Housby’s slick movement and strong feeding game are maximised with a strong target at the back.
In a disrupted 2024, Swifts’ midcourt was still reliable. Marshalled by Australian Diamonds vice-captain Paige Hadley, the team maintained a relatively low turnover count, and decent conversion of gains to goals. The indefatigable Hadley can be relied upon for leadership and consistency, while her connection with Nweke during pre-season matches already looks to be thriving.
Verity Simmons, who comes in as a maternity replacement for Maddy Proud, is another smart signing. Her experience, fitness and ability to feed talls is well established, and with Nweke signed for just one season, the Swifts will have their eyes firmly on this year’s ultimate prize.
Challenges
The Swifts’ defensive unit had a regrettable 2024, with Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau the first and second most penalised players in the league respectively. Their high penalty count was symptomatic of the whole back line struggling to keep their cohesion. New defensive specialist assistant coach (and Australian men’s team captain) Dylan Nexhip arrives at an important time with a mission to revitalise the whole unit’s structure. He has plenty of talent to work with – Klau for example sat in Super Netball’s top five for gains and defensive rebounds.
Retention of possession in the forward line is also a critical work-on for 2025, while their poor offensive rebounding record of last year looks likely to improve, with Nweke’s athleticism and height added to the circle.
Our eyes are on
How head coach Briony Akle builds strong and adaptable combinations in 2025, as most of her roster are capable of playing multiple roles.
The midcourt has the most personnel changes, but is also the most versatile. Regular rotation across the pre-season has seen Whyte, Simmons, Lambden, and Smith used in various combinations alongside Hadley, so who will make a consistent impact and in what position is fascinating to watch. Akle has never shied away from midcourt substitutions and experimentation within games, so look for how she manages dynamic veterans such as Simmons and Hadley, alongside her powerful young guns.
The defensive and shooting circles should also see plenty of rotation. O’Shannassy’s presence at goal keeper pushes Klau out to goal defence, creating a tall circle. However, Turner’s automatic move forwards to wing defence isn’t guaranteed, with Lambden proving a real asset at wing defence. Likewise, Nweke will see plenty of game time at goal shooter, but Housby and Fawns offer playmaking and two point prowess during the Super Shot period.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran takes a pocket intercept. Image: Simon Leonard
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
Preview by: Elly McNerney
Team: Imogen Allison, Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Ashlee Barnett, Mary Cholhok, Lara Dunkley, Tippah Dwan, Macy Gardner, Emily Moore, Isabelle Shearer, Hulita Veve
Coach: Kiri Wills
Ins: Imogen Allison, Ashlee Barnett, Mary Cholhok
Outs: Remi Kamo, Kim Ravaillion, Donnell Wallam
Finish in 2024: 7th
Strengths
The Firebirds’ defence could be a standout for the club this season – not just the relatively inexperienced defensive goal circle, but the side’s efforts as a whole. And while that’s a big statement, they had the second best defensive statistics at the recent Team Girls Cup. Newly appointed Co-Captain Ruby Bakewell- Doran should continue to lead the way, supported by the youthful circle duo of Barnett and Shearer and the midcourters around them.
With a number of tall goalers in Super Netball, it’ll be important for the defensive midcourt to slow the ball down as much as possible and apply plenty of pressure before the ball hits the circle edge or look to pounce on an intercept. Which is why the likes of Allison, Veve and Gardner will be important in the Firebirds’ defensive structures this season.
The addition of Ugandan superstar and the league’s tallest player, Mary Cholhok, will be the centrepiece of the Firebirds’ attack for season 2025. As the pre-season has worn on, Cholhok has looked more at home in the Firebirds line-up, so expect her to only get better as 2025 goes on.
Challenges
Team culture is going to be a huge work-on for incoming coach Kiri Wills, after several unsettled years and allegations of racism and bullying at the club. While an independent investigation put in place by Netball Australia was unable to substantiate those claims, there’s plenty of work to be done if the Firebirds want to create the harmonious environment needed for success.
The goal attack position for the Firebirds has also been a topic of discussion since Diamond Gretel Bueta went on maternity leave in 2023. Last season neither Emily Moore nor Tippah Dwan cemented themselves as the number one goal attack for the Firebirds, leaving former Firebird Donnell Wallam to pick up a lot of the work in the shooting circle.
Across the Team Girls Cup, training partner Abigail Latu-Meafou was arguably the strongest goal attack option, spending 72 minutes on court over the 4 games. When the Firebirds have contended for finals in the past, it’s when they’ve had two dangerous shooting options and not relied so much on the goal shooter. The side will need Moore or Dwan to take on a bigger role this season, so the pressure isn’t so much on Mary Cholhok, particularly if they can impact from two point range.
Our eyes are on
One thing to keep an eye on across season 2025 is how long it’ll take for combinations to form and the team to click. This team has the capability to cause headaches for many teams across the competition, but it’s not going to happen overnight. You can see the improvement from the Team Girls Cup to the final practice match against the Thunderbirds, but there’s still a long way to go. 2025 is expected to be one of the closest Super Netball seasons yet, so the Firebirds won’t have the luxury of starting on the back foot.
The goal keeper bib is up for grabs at the Firebirds with Remi Kamo heading to the Stars in 2025. Shearer is potentially the one to get the first crack at cementing herself into the starting seven. With a solid performance against Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard last season, it was just a small sample of what the young defender is capable of. However, rookie Barnett will be waiting in the wings to make her mark, after chipping away in both the VNL and Sapphire Series over the last few years.
Centre Jamie Lee-Price’s influence is crucial if GIANTS want to climb the ladder in 2025. Image – Danny Dalton | TahDah Sports
GIANTS NETBALL
Preview by: Katrina Nissen
Team: Gina Crampton*, Sophie Dwyer, Jo Harten, Maddie Hay, Matisse Leatherbarrow, Tilly McDonnell, Erin O’Brien, Jamie-Lee Price, Amy Sligar, Jodi-Ann Ward, Hope White (replacement for Gina Crampton)
11th Player: Monica ‘Otai
Coach: Julie Fitzgerald
Ins: Erin O’Brien, Hope White
Outs: Chelsea Pitman (to UK as head coach of Nottingham Forest Netball), Sam Winders (returning to New Zealand), *Gina Crampton (originally elevated from TP for 2025 but has since announced pregnancy)
Finish in 2024: 8th
Strengths
The revitalised defence end for the Giants will be one to watch this year. Youngster Erin O’Brien has come a long way from her seven appearances in season 2024. In those early showings, she collected two intercepts and 11 deflections, whereas at the recent Team Girls Cup, she played three games and contributed nine gains for her team. She grows in confidence with every outing and in a recent article has talked a big game, saying, “If I get a crack against them, I want to make it hard for them.”
Of the possible Giants defensive combinations, O’Brien and Jodi-Ann Ward look to be the most formidable. O’Brien’s persistence, on the body work and excellent elevation, allow Ward to do what she does best: hunt down loose balls and intercepts. In early pre-season showings, Ward and O’Brien looked comfortable working together and stayed in constant communication. We expect to see that partnership grow and create headaches for teams throughout the season.
Challenges
The majority of the Giants squad have been together for five or more seasons. And in that time, they have run largely the same starting seven with few bench players getting reasonable court action. Their front end of Harten, Dwyer, Hay and Price is a well-oiled machine, albeit at times a very predictable one.
Teams have grown accustomed to Giants’ use of the super shot period to eat into score deficits and thus are becoming better equipped to combat the strategy. In the recent Team Girls Cup, the once most prolific super shot team in the league scored a sub-par 37% of those long-range attempts. This wouldn’t be so bad if they were getting their own rebounds, but unfortunately, this was very rarely the case, as they converted an average 33% of their missed shots. If they can regather their sharpshooting ability, they will be a hard team to beat.
Our eyes are on
In the words of Gina Crampton, “Connections are everything in netball.” As has been evident throughout the pre-season, when Jamie-Lee Price is off the court, the connections between the Giants’ defensive and attacking ends fall apart. Price is known for her unwavering work ethic and her ability to find space and circle edge. These skills, coupled with her ability to pull in a pocket intercept, are often unmatched by the league’s other centres and are what make her one to watch this season.
Another is Maddie Hay. Giants fans will remember how lost their team looked in the early stages of last year when Hay was unable to play, and how settled they became when she returned to court. After a full preseason and with something to prove as youngster Hope White nips at her heels, we expect Hay to come out of the blocks firing from Round 1.
NETBALL SCOOP IS NOW ON YOUTUBE
Join our very own Georgia Doyle and Tobey Keddy throughout the 2025 SSN and ANZP season as they share their expert analysis, talking points and behind-the-scenes highlights.
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PREDICTIONS
The writers here at Netball Scoop looked into the crystal ball and tried to predict a final ladder. As a group, this is the order we came up with.
1 – Thunderbirds
2 – Swifts
3 – Vixens
4 – Fever
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5 – Lightning
6 – Mavericks
7 – Firebirds
8 – Giants
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