Matrics netball phenomenon Lucy Austin solidifies stardom in 2021

The teen shooter who has trained with the Adelaide Thunderbirds has made her mark in the Netball SA Premier League competition – scoring 541 goals in just 12 games.

Local netballer Lucy Austin is quickly making a name for herself as one of the state’s most promising young stars.

At just 19 the Matrics gun has already achieved so much at a state and national level, and is on track to have a historic SA Netball Premier League season.

Matrics star Lucy Austin is fast becoming the biggest young star in SA netball. Picture: Matt Turner

Currently in isolation after returning from Queensland, where she trained alongside the Thunderbirds, Austin’s goal average of 45 a game is a league-best in SA and has her on track for the highest scoring individual season in the Premier League for almost a decade.

She credits her teammates and the opportunity to learn from the nation’s best for her speedy rise to the top.

“Our connections off the court have really stepped up a notch at Matrics this year. We have such a great culture which has definitely helped me,” Austin said.

“Training with the Thunderbirds was a great experience too.

“It was intense because while I was there they really wanted to win their last three games, and Sam Gooden was great with helping me out and giving me great advice as we’re similar in the way we play.

“I had to put everything into training in order to match their level.”

Austin is over 100 goals ahead in the Netball SA Premier League tally for 2021, and her Matrics side is again on a tear with a current 11-1 record as they aim for a threepeat.

Austin wins the ball over Contax’s Molly Watson in the 2020 Premier League grand final. She was named MVP for the match. Picture: Richard Keane, Sports in Focus

While her current count of 541 goals is something the scoring sensation has in the back of her mind, she says the goal of winning another title with Matrics is much more important.

“The amount of goals I’m scoring is somewhat in the back of my mind but I never really spend time thinking about it,” Austin said.

“It’s obviously important to stick to my goals in terms of shooting percentage but I’ve always been a team-first player so I’m all about helping the team get to where we want to first.

“A threepeat is the goal. We all care for each other at Matrics and we all want to win so badly.

“We’re playing for each other every game, we’re not taking anyone lightly, and if we stick to our guns I believe we can do it, we definitely have the skill and drive.”

Only time will tell if Matrics can pull off the impressive threepeat – but one sure thing is that Austin will remain a big name in Australian netball for many years to come.