Bianca Chatfield: How I rank each Super Netball team in attack, midcourt and defence ahead of season 2025
Who has the best attack, midcourt and defence in Super Netball? BIANCA CHATFIELD ranks every team across each section of the court ahead of this year’s Super Netball season.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Who has the best attack, midcourt and defence in Super Netball?
Focusing on current contracted lists and factoring in experience at Super Netball level and internationally, the versatility across multiple positions and ability fill gaps if injuries arise, there was a lot to consider.
It was a tough assignment if I’m being honest. Some clubs have been harshly judged and will no doubt prove me wrong.
Overall four clubs stand out ahead of this year’s Super Netball campaign.
Ranking each team across each section of the court, four clubs feature at least twice in the top three for attack, midcourt and defence.
READ MORE: Revealed: More than half of Super Netball out of contract after 2025
Not surprisingly, two-time defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds rank in the top three for all three areas, while the Melbourne Vixens, and West Coast Fever also rank strongly.
After a difficult campaign in 2024, the New South Wales Swifts also rank highly in attack, with the recruitment of star New Zealand goaler Grace Nweke, and defence.
Looking at the attack end, teams have to be a triple threat - three options for a strong one point game, and the ability to take a super shot when required - in their shooting end with plenty of versatility and options for the whole 60 minutes of the game.
It doesn’t mean you’re relying on super shots to win a game, but you have got to have the weapons to draw on when you need.
Defensively, experience in combinations is really important because you have to be able to play one-on-one and then flip into unit work very quickly in Super Netball now.
The strategy of defence of the super shot also comes into it, as does the ability to win ball.
In the midcourt, teams need to have consistent performers across multiple positions, and the ability to pull the trigger and inject another weapon whenever needed.
If you are going to win the title, you probably need to be sitting in the top three in at least two of attack, midcourt and defence.
So if we look at the rankings, you could assume teams like Vixens, Swifts and Thunderbirds will be up there.
But for me, West Coast Fever are going to be the team to watch not just from what we saw at Team Girls Cup, but how they have continued to reinvent themselves.
ATTACK
1. NSW Swifts
(Helen Housby, Grace Nweke, Sophie Fawns)
Helen Housby and Grace Nweke look like the number one combination going into this season. Housby is a threat across 60 minutes and Nweke is going to consume all defenders on court to try and stop her. Sophie Fawns, as a back-up, is improving, her 40 games of experience will come in handy but if Housby and Nweke can stay fit and strong, this is going to cause all sorts of havoc.
SSN experience: 151 International Experience: 148 caps. Supershots: 368
2. Melbourne Vixens
(Kiera Austin, Sophie Garbin, Lily Graham)
We know what the Australian Diamonds’ combination of Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin can do. Garbin can be a huge asset for the Diamonds, which hopefully she can continue to match in SSN. Austin is essential to the Vixens’ success – and the one that will cause defenders the most pain. Accurate, consistent and international dominance. As a back-up, what Lily Graham can do as a super shot shooter gives the Vixens some extra options when they need, with limited experience. We know their consistency is always there.
Total SSN games experience: 176, International experience: 67 caps. Supershots: 276
3. Adelaide Thunderbirds
(Romelda Aiken-George, Lucy Austin, Lauren Frew, Kayla Graham)
It is interesting what is happening with Romelda Aiken-George at the moment. If she is not ready, this is Lucy Austin’s chance to grab that GS bib and not give it up. She has had two premierships with limited minutes, but if Lucy Austin can become a 60-minute, demanding the ball, type of player then the Thunderbirds are only going to get stronger. Her combinations with Georgie Horjus and Lauren Frew are already established.
SSN: 218 (119 without Aitken George), International Exp: 87 (1 without RAG) Supershots: 150 (129 without RAG)
4. Sunshine Coast Lightning
(Cara Koenen, Steph Fretwell, Reilley Batcheldor)
The Lightning boast international experience with Steph Fretwell and Cara Koenen, but the triple threat of this attack line always comes into question when they can become heavily reliant on the super shot. Cara Koenen is yet to really dominate in this space, so the reliance of Reilley Batcheldor and Fretwell could become taxing.
SSN: 241 International: 97 Supershots: 328
5. Melbourne Mavericks
(Eleanor Cardwell, Sasha Glasgow, Shimona Jok)
We’re yet to see this Mavericks star-studded combination play out in full, and I thought this season they were close to being No. 1 attack, but without Eleanor Cardwell for an indefinite period, I’ve dropped them down the list. Sasha Glasgow and Shimona Jok are a combination that is ripe for dominance and a fit Cardwell will cause some a headache for any opposition defence. My prediction they will end the season a lot higher up this list.
SSN: 201 International: 83 Supershots: 27
6. West Coast Fever
(Shanice Beckford, Mwai Kumwenda, Olivia Wilkinson)
The Fever have taken a significant hit without Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and who knows if we will see her at all in season 2025. But they’ve added experience with Mwai Kumwenda, she is accurate to the post when she has the ball in her hand and is a diligent student. The excitement package is what Olivia Wilkinson can do at goal shooter. She was a standout performer at the Team Girls Cup, im tipping she is the starting shooter this season. A seventh ranking is harsh but they are light on for numbers in comparison, as it sits right now.
SSN: 163 International Experience: 171 caps Supershots: 137
7. Giants
(Jo Harten, Matisse Letherbarrow, Sophie Dwyer)
The Giants have experience, but what we are yet to see is this team firing and fit. There is a big question mark over Jo Harten and her ability to play out the whole season. I really hope we can see her at her best as the numbers speak for themselves. This attack can do a lot of damage, but can also prove costly if the reliance is on the super shot.
SSN: 204 International: 132 Supershots: 564
8. Firebirds
(Mary Cholhok, Tippah Dwan, Emily Moore)
With an import like Mary Cholhok, it’s hard to believe I am putting them at eight. But for me the key is goal attack Tippah Dwan and how much of a dynamic threat she can be to other defenders in support of Cholhok and what she can do under the post. They are limited with experience and supershot volume, however, new strategy and firepower could bring new life.
SSN: 89 International: 60 caps Supershots: 160
DEFENCE
1. Adelaide Thunderbirds
(Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Matilda Garrett, Latanya Wilson)
The T-birds defenders dominate every stat list each year. If Shamera Sterling-Humphrey is fit come round one, you can’t help but to continue to admire what this combination of Latanya Wilson, Matilda Garrett and Stirling-Humphrey can do.
SSN: 232 Internationals: 98
2. West Coast Fever.
(Fran Williams, Sunday Aryang, Ruth Aryang, Kadie-Ann Dehaney)
Versatility gets Fever the tick at number two. The Aryang sisters and the potential as a combination is exciting to watch. Add in the English Roses captain Fran Williams and Kadie Ann-Dehaney’s ability to get ball and this defensive end can rattle anyone.
SSN: 183 Internationals: 128
3. NSW Swifts
(Maddy Turner, Sarah Klau, Teigan O’Shannassy)
The Swifts have reliability and experience of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner with the support of Teigan O’Shannassy. I have a question mark on the penalty count the Swifts can accumulate, but we do know experience counts for a lot, and they are a wear down team.
SSN: 261 Internationals: 62
4. Melbourne Vixens
(Jo Weston, Kate Eddy, Rudi Ellis)
Emily Mannix (maternity leave) will be a big loss for the Vixens’ defence. I have put them at fourth purely when you look at what Jo Weston and Rudi Ellis can do and their experience out there together. Kate Eddy, who took the most intercepts for the Vixens in Team Girls Cup, will be the X-Factor swing player for the Vixens in defence.
SSN: 170 Internationals: 78
5. Sunshine Coast Lightning
(Courtney Bruce, Ashleigh Ervin, Tara Hinchliffe)
Ash Ervin was a standout in 2024 at goal keeper. They are a goal keeper heavy defence end and if Courtney Bruce can be fit alongside Tara Hinchliffe then they are going to win some ball back for their side, it’s just whether they have got enough cover and agility in that goal defence position.
SSN: 217 Internationals: 83
6. Melbourne Mavericks
(Olivia Lewis, Kim Brown, Lauren Parkinson)
The Mavs have one of the shortest defence ends with Kim Brown (nee Jenner) and Liv Lewis, so coming up against a 201cm Mary Cholhok is going to be interesting. Those one-on-one situations in the circle are where they will find it tough. But it’s their unit work which always gets them across the line. They can be a threat, but they rely on a lot of defensive pressure coming through the midcourt to win turnover ball. The Mavs will welcome the return of Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore) from injury when she is fit and she will be an asset to the shut down zone structures they play.
SSN: 217 Internationals: 0
7. Queensland Firebirds
(Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Isabelle Shearer, Ashlee Barnett)
The Firebirds have the least experienced defence end, but I have ranked them at seven because of their potential. Ruby Bakewell-Doran at Team Girls Cup showed she is ready to shoulder that load and be their linchpin in defence. I especially like the combination with Bakewell-Doran at GK and Isabelle Shearer at GD. Ash Barnett can win ball and has shown plenty of confidence to take on the most experienced of shooters.
SSN: 52 Internationals: 2
8. Giants
(Matilda McDonell, Erin O’Brien, Jodi-Ann Ward)
Matilda McDonell is a player that they need to be fit and out on court. We haven’t seen her much in the pre-season. Erin O’Brien is still raw and inexperienced and will value more minutes out on court. They don’t have a lot of cover if there is injury in the defence end and they will be heavily reliant on Jodi-Ann Ward winning back ball.
SSN: 141 Internationals: 47
MIDCOURT
1. Melbourne Vixens
(Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Zara Walters)
The Vixens have the quad threat. They are versatile, they are experienced and their team mentality that is drilled into them by coach Simone McKinnis means that they have got plenty of options.
SSN: 270 Internationals: 41
2. Adelaide Thunderbirds
(Tayla Williams, Georgie Horjus, Hannah Petty)
The Thunderbirds’ premiership experience will continue to propel this midcourt. Tayla Williams always seems to be underestimated and Georgie Horjus the magician in attack, plays their swing X-factor in the midcourt and the shooting area well. Hannah Petty as their captain leads them so well in the middle. They know how to win.
SSN: 213 Internationals: 1
3. West Coast Fever
(Jess Anstiss, Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg)
Alice Teague-Neeld is brilliant at wing attack and continued to show her brilliance whether feeding a tall shooter or not, she makes any goaler look good. They also have the strong leadership of Jess Anstiss and the double duo of Jordan and Zoe Cransberg to make this team a strong force.
SSN: 316. Internationals: 0
4. NSW Swifts
(Paige Hadley, Verity Simmons, Sharni Lambden, Allie Smith)
There are a few unknowns with combinations, but the experience of Verity Simmons is a good pick-up to replace Maddy Proud. Paige Hadley continues to defy her age with the way she dominates in the midcourt and then Sharni Lambden and Allie Smith add some versatility and defensive nous.
SSN: 282 games International: 68
5. Melbourne Mavericks
(Amy Parmenter, Molly Jovic, Tayla Fraser, Maisie Nankivell)
There is no real standout performer for the Melbourne Mavericks in the midcourt, but they continue to dig deep and bring the workhorse factor. Amy Parmenter can win ball and Molly Jovic produces huge numbers during the season yet barely gets the kudos. They have options.
SSN: 292 Internationals: 10
6. Sunshine Coast Lightning
(Liz Watson, Mahalia Cassidy, Leesa Mi Mi)
Ava Black is a big loss and of course they have got the uber-experienced Liz Watson, who is arguably the best wing attack in the world. But they don’t have a lot of backup if injuries hit. Leesa Mi Mi is an excitement machine, but depth will be an issue.
SSN: 300 Internationals: 91 caps
7. Giants
(Jamie-Lee Price, Amy Sligar, Maddie Hay, Hope White)
The Giants could sit anywhere in the middle of these rankings. Jamie-Lee Price continues to dominate and I think Amy Sligar is getting better every year and I really like what she adds to this line-up. The excitement of Hope White with the experience of Maddie Hay means this midcourt can hold its own.
SSN: 216 Internationals: 53
8. Queensland Firebirds
(Macy Gardner, Imogen Allison, Lara Dunkley, Hulita Veve)
The Firebirds sit at eight in the midcourt because we haven’t seen the likes of Imogen Allison play SSN. We know what she can do. They do have minimal SSN experience when compared to other clubs, Macy Gardner is their standout performer who will be relied upon heavily. A lot of unknowns, hope I’m wrong on this one.
SSN: 127 International: 86
More Coverage
Originally published as Bianca Chatfield: How I rank each Super Netball team in attack, midcourt and defence ahead of season 2025
NA says door still open as former Firebirds vent fury
The investigation is closed but Netball Australia says dialogue is open with player representatives after former Firebirds vented their fury at the results of a probe into the culture at the club.
Download your Super Netball tipping chart for 2025
Ahead of the Super Netball 2025 season, get ready for your office or family tipping competition by downloading our wall chart poster now.