Cover Image: Shaun Sharp
Writers: Andrew Kennedy, Jenny Sinclair, Georgia Doyle, Ian Harkin, Katrina Nissen, Ariane Virgona
Photographers: Kylie de Souza, Danny Dalton, Marcela Massey, Shaun Sharp
Results
Queensland Firebirds 67 def West Coast Fever 54
NSW Swifts 68 def Melbourne Mavericks 62
Adelaide Thunderbirds 60 def Sunshine Coast Lightning 45
Melbourne Vixens 61 def Giants Netball 55
Milestones
Jo Weston – 150th national league game
Jo Weston is just the second Vixen to notch 150 games, all for the one club. Image: Shaun Sharp
Injuries
Sasha Glasgow (Mavericks) – Went off the court late in the fourth quarter. Amy Parmenter confirmed, via Pivot, that she had scans on her calf as it was tight.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Firebirds) – left the court in the late stages of the second quarter after a collision with Shanice Beckford. She returned to the court in the third term.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran took a knock to the ribs but was okay to return to the game after a checkup. Image: Kylie de Souza
LET’S TALK ABOUT:
Netball Australia has given Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard permission to make her on court return. The superstar has already handed in her four week notice of intent, with the only remaining hurdle the need to be cleared by the club’s high performance staff.
According to Netball Australia, “Our position is informed by the National Employment Standards and our competition rules. In this situation Jhaniele is entitled to return to her pre parental leave position with four weeks notice.”
While the situation is also challenging for Mwai Kumwenda, who relocated to Western Australia along with her mother-in-law and child, she will be given the opportunity to negotiate a training partner contract with Fever. It’s understood that Kumwenda will be paid at her already negotiated replacement rate, rather than the $5000 training partner rate.
Donnell Wallam took to social media during the week to protest that articles about her on Code Sports had been promoted nine times in six days, without any monitoring of comments. Unfortunately, the trolls were out in force, making a range of derogatory and racist comments. Fans called for greater oversight, with Wallam understandably hurt by the online posts.
In Pivot’s in-depth interview with Grace Nweke, the star suggested that she would consider staying longer in Australia if Netball New Zealand changed their stance on her eligibility for the Silver Ferns. It’s a difficult situation for both parties, with Nweke wanting the challenge of playing in Super Netball, while New Zealand want to keep her in their ANZ competition.
Grace Nweke not loving the contact from defender Jessie Grenvold. Image: Danny Dalton
According to Fox broadcasters, Romelda Aiken-George spends just one hour per week training, a vast difference from most other netballers. Apparently necessary for the star Jamaican to avoid injury, it does make building on court connections a little more challenging, not that the Thunderbirds are showing any signs of that being an issue.
Post match huddles are reportedly a thing of the past in Super Netball, with players branding them awkward and not ideal for optics. And while that’s a fair perspective for athletes who’ve just gone hammer and tongs at each other over the previous 60 minutes, the biggest loss is the post match captains address, which is one of the most endearing aspects of the on-court get together.
On Pivot post Round 2, Amy Parmenter spoke about the loss of the post match huddle. “We want to be taken as serious athletes and the ‘hip hip hip ray ray ray’ is unprofessional. As a captain who had to lead the huddle last year, I felt a bit silly doing it. I haven’t missed it since we let it go.”
Post match fan signings look to also be on the way out with some clubs abandoning the practice altogether while others are limiting it to just a few throughout the season. While we are not aware of any club specifically giving a reason for the lost fan engagement, it is understandable as the athletes would likely need to divert their attention to a proper warm down and post match team address.
The 2025 Constellation Cup schedule has been released. The 15th edition of the competition kicks off in Melbourne on Friday, the 17th of October before moving to Sydney on Wednesday, 22 October then Kirikiriroa on 26 October and finishing off at Ōtautahi on Wednesday, 29 October. Tickets go on sale in June.
Stat of the week
There is one very noticeable statistical result that we can put down to Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard missing the opening two rounds. That is in the feeds with attempt category. Having such a dominant spearhead in previous seasons has meant that a high percentage of Fever’s circle feeds have ended with an attempt on goal. Last year’s Fever lineup leads the way with just over 80% of all feeds during the season producing a shot at goal.
Let’s compare that to this season. So far, after two rounds, Fever shooters have put up just 105 attempts. That in itself is a big drop off after they averaged 75 attempts per game last season. Those 105 attempts have come from 170 feeds. That means just 61.5% of feeds have led to an attempt. How does that compare to the other seven teams?
2025 Feed with attempt %
Swifts – 126/148 (85.1%)
Mavericks – 124/157 (79.0%)
Giants – 109/143 (76.2%)
Vixens – 108/157 (68.8%)
Firebirds – 126/188 (67.0%)
Thunderbirds – 123/187 (65.8%)
Lightning – 110/176 (62.5%)
Fever – 105/170 (61.5%)
As you can see, Fever has gone from top to bottom. With the addition of Grace Nweke, Swifts are on track to dethrone them in this statistic. As a general rule, 70-72% is about average. Being lower than that isn’t automatically a bad thing though. Look at where Thunderbirds are. But it just means that it’s taking more time and effort to produce an attempt at goal. And every extra feed required to score, provides another chance for the opposition to gain possession.
The battle between Liz Watson and Latanya Wilson was tight. Image: Marcela Massey
Rolling stat of the season
Following on from the above, it’s time to look at possession changes. This is simply the average number of times in the opening two rounds that each team has lost possession through turnovers, both general play turnovers and missed goal turnovers. The leaders are maybe a surprise, but it shows what a good start they’ve had. And Fever are once again, at the wrong end of the table.
2025 Possession changes per game
Firebirds – 19
Swifts – 19.5
Thunderbirds – 21.5
Mavericks – 22.5
Giants – 25
Lightning – 25.5
Vixens – 26
Fever – 27.5
Romelda Aiken-George takes the ball under tight defence from the Lightning. Image: Marcela Massey
MATCH WRAPS:
Firebirds v Fever
Queensland Firebirds registered their second straight win to continue their best start to a Super Netball season. They defeated an out-of-sorts West Coast Fever by 13 goals. The home team dominated the first half, with Mary Cholhok putting on her best display since joining the team. She scored 28 goals from 29 attempts to half time, and although quieter in the second half, the damage had been done. She was well supported by goal attack Emily Moore, and centre Macy Gardner, while the defensive pairing of Isabelle Shearer and Ruby Bakewell-Doran combined for 12 gains.
Fever coach Dan Ryan was left struggling for answers during the first 30 minutes. The team looked disjointed and disorganised. Numerous changes were made, and in the second half, it was a much-improved showing. The pairing of Jordan Cransberg at centre and Alice Teague-Neeld at wing attack, was more effective as the game wore on, and Fever was able to win the fourth quarter, with young defender Ruth Aryang giving them a spark.
Jordan Cransberg takes front position. Image: Kylie de Souza
2025 Queensland Firebirds celebrate their first home win of the season. Image: Kylie de Souza
Swifts v Mavericks
It was the NSW Swifts who came out on top, with a six goal win, in a physical contest with the Melbourne Mavericks. The Mavericks were dogged in defence, maintaining a strong zone defence that allowed Maisie Nankivell and Kim Brown to take a fly at an intercept when the opportunity presented itself. It did little to rattle the Swifts, who were full of composure, led by Paige Hadley who continues to show that she is one of the league’s best mid-courters with a superb 17 feeds and only one turnover.
The Mavericks midcourt is settling into its new look, with Amy Parmenter having a better connection with her fellow middies, but still sometimes overcooking the feed into Shimona Jok. Helen Housby was back to her best finding Grace Nweke with ease all while contributing five super shots, with four coming when the game was in the balance in the second half to help seal the deal.
MVP Helen Housby finished with 5 crucial supershots to help her side get the win. Image – Danny Dalton
Amy Parmenter spent more minutes at centre in Round 2. Images Danny Dalton
Lightning v Thunderbirds
Lightning matched the reigning premiers with a goal-for-goal tussle until the third quarter. However, a series of unforced turnovers, and the inability to capitalise off their gained ball saw the score line blow out. There was also hesitancy feeding the circle due to the ominous signature defense of the Thunderbirds. Georgie Horjus swung between wing attack and goal attack, offering more dynamism to the attacking end and along with Lauren Frew, they exploited the double defense on Romelda Aiken-George.
Reilley Batcheldor and Ash Ervin were revelations for the Lightning, although only finding intermittent court time. Batcheldor offered reprieve to Steph Fretwell during the super shot period, and Ervin an off body contest against Aiken-George with 5 gains, 3 intercepts and 3 deflections in 28 minutes of play. Shamera Sterling-Humphrey had an outstanding game, in combination with Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson. Despite playing with illness and managing tendonitis, Sterling-Humphrey finished with 11 gains, 5 deflections and 3 intercepts. The Thunderbirds continue to showcase that they really have picked up where they have left off in season 2024 as they continue to build towards the three-peat.
Lauren Frew’s combo with Romelda Aiken-George is humming in 2025. Image: Marcela Massey
Reilley Batcheldor eyes up the Super Shot. Image: Marcela Massey
Vixens v Giants
In what was a topsy-turvy encounter, Vixens eventually overcame the Giants by six goals. Trailing by four at quarter time, Vixens turned things right around with a dominant 20-9 second quarter. They were then able to hold on, despite a gallant Giants side challenging them strongly in the second half. For Vixens, their attack end worked well, in particular, the trio of Kiera Austin, Hannah Mundy, and Kate Moloney. In defence, Kate Eddy and Jo Weston did just enough to keep Giants at bay. Despite the win, Vixens won’t be completely happy with their form and will be looking for an improved showing next round.
Giants started with Jo Harten at goal shooter and youngster Hope White at wing attack, but after a disappointing second quarter, they were replaced by Matisse Letherbarrow and Maddie Hay who both had strong second halves. As usual, Jamie-Lee Price was in everything, while Erin O’Brien continued her good form in defence. Although they’ve started with two losses, there are some encouraging signs for the Giants. One quirk of the opening two rounds; Sophie Dwyer, one of the competition’s leading super shot exponents, is still yet to score one in 2025. She has missed six attempts.
Amy Sligar take an intercept. Image: Shaun Sharp
Zara Walters had a great outing at wing defence for the Vixens. Image: Shaun Sharp
Players of the round
Isabelle Shearer (Firebirds)
After being a bench-warmer for most of her debut year, Shearer has really come into her own with more game time in 2025. She impressed at Team Girls Cup and has kept up that form in the opening two rounds. Against Fever, she was a constant menace in Fever’s attacking third. She finished with seven gains and five deflections, and her combination with Ruby Bakewell-Doran continues to grow.
Isabelle Shearer collected 7 gains in the Firebirds historic victory over West Coast Fever. Image: Kylie de Suza
Ruth Aryang (Fever)
Another young defender whose star is on the rise, Aryang was only on court for 21 minutes against Firebirds, but in that time, she came up with four gains, including three intercepts. She was largely responsible for keeping star Firebirds shooter Mary Cholhok relatively quiet in the last quarter. With a defence-heavy team at Fever in 2025, court time will continue to be an issue, but with performances like this, Aryang is showing she’s ready for more responsibility.
Helen Housby (Swifts)
Swifts had a real battle in their match against the Mavericks, and Housby played a vital role in getting them over the line. In the first half, she acted predominantly as a feeder for Grace Nweke. But as the match wore on, it was clear that wasn’t going to be enough. So she stepped up her game considerably, becoming a scoring threat herself. After just three goals in the first half, she shot 11/11 in the second half, and that included four super shots, all at crucial times to keep Mavericks at bay.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Thunderbirds)
What more needs to be said at this point. After the uncertainty surrounding her fitness in the off season, Sterling-Humphrey is still managing a tendonitis issue. This week, she was also not feeling 100%, but despite that, she demonstrated her brilliance with another standout performance against Lightning. Combining beautifully with Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson, she was instrumental in shutting the Lightning attack-end right out of the game.
Ash Ervin (Lightning)
A shining light in Lightning’s loss, Ervin finished up with 5 gains in just 28 minutes of court play, against a quality shooter like Romelda Aiken-George. To put it in context, Sterling-Humphry had 11 across a full match. Ervin desperately needs more court time to progress her game and push for Diamonds’ selection, something that will be hard to come by given Lightning’s star-studded defensive roster. And given that she is sitting behind one of the Diamonds’ goal keepers, Ervin may need to give serious thought to moving clubs, particularly with a number of talented young keepers all getting significantly more time.
Jo Weston (Vixens)
In her 150th National League game, Weston celebrated with a fine performance, but strangely, for someone who’s played most of her career at goal defence, she didn’t play there at all in this game. She started in the unfamiliar position of goal keeper, before moving to wing defence in the last quarter. She did a good job in both positions, finishing with three gains, two deflections, and one pickup.
Jo Weston tries to keep the ball in play. Image: Shaun Sharp
Erin O’Brien (Giants)
Earning the start at goal keeper for the second week in a row, O’Brien continues to be a stand out for the Giants. Her rangy arms were disrupting the Vixens shot, while her footwork and height allowed her to get her hand to clean ball. She finished with a game high of three gains, but was expensive in the penalties with 16. She was one of only three Giants to play the full sixty minutes, and looks set to have snatched the goal keeper bib from Matilda McDonell. More experience will only see her continue to improve, and her combination with Jodi-Ann Ward has the potential to be extremely potent.
Quotes Corner
Isabelle Shearer on the cultural shift at the Firebirds and the work on the culture during preseason.
“It was amazing to set those values so early on in the piece and we have really made an effort to check back in with our values along the way. We aren’t just talking the talk. We are making an effort to walk the walk.”
Isabelle Shearer on the key core value that stands out to her.
“We talk a lot about grit. It is grit in those moments when you need to find something else. Like today we were getting tips and stuff in the circle and our middies were there picking up balls and that is the grit to always be there in a position to pick up those scraps. Connection is another important one to us and we have seen that off court connection and have translated that on to court which is the harder part.”
Tracey Neville, on her team maturing as a unit
“You know, it’s hard to stand here as a coach and say you’ve lost, when it’s probably some of the best netball I’ve seen them play. They went goal for goal for quite a long time, and that’s the growing together of a good team.”
Ladder
Team / Pts / %
Thunderbirds . 8 . 128%
Swifts . 8 . 121%
Firebirds . 8 . 116%
Lightning . 4 . 96%
–
Vixens . 4 . 94%
Giants . 0 . 91%
Mavericks . 0 . 88%
Fever . 0 . 76%
Next week
Round 3
(Split round over 2 weeks)
Times: AEST
Sun, Apr 20
2pm – GIANTS v MAVERICKS
4pm – THUNDERBIRDS v SWIFTS (3:30pm local time)
Sat, Apr 26
5pm – LIGHTNING v FIREBIRDS
Sun, Apr 27
2pm – VIXENS v FEVER
Stay in the conversation with the Netball Scoop Forum.
Jaimie Lee-Price in full flight. Image: Shaun Sharp
