Queen Cardwell, Collingwood collapse, and free agent frenzies: Super Netball season in review

Net Gains takes a look back at the Super Netball 2023 season, through the highest and lowest moments of the frenzied year.

The 2023 season will go down as one of the wildest in Super Netball history, with major news stories breaking at every turn.

But as we look back, what moments will stand out for years to come?

In this week’s Net Gains, Emma Greenwood looks at all the highlights and lowlights of the past year, names her best recruit, who is under pressure and where the focus will turn next.

She also picks her team of the year.

Buy of the season: Eleanor Cardwell

As one of the few big signings in a year in which most players were already contracted, Cardwell was probably a lock for this already. But her performances in the last month of the season – and the grand final in particular – were absolutely outstanding and she was the difference in the grand final.

Moment of the year: How to decide?

The extra-time semi-final thriller between the Thunderbirds and Swifts? Sophie Fawns’ fearless performance in a neck-and-neck preliminary final battle? The Magpies’ emotional last-match win over the Fever? Fans have been spoiled this season. All of the above aside, it’s got to be the thrilling grand final – a match played at breakneck speed between two incredibly closely matched teams. Ebbs and flows, extra time, a grandstand finish. Superb.

The elation from Adelaide players after their first Super Netball grand final win in a decade was a highlight of the season. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Highlight: Thunderbirds win

Almost every fan adopted the Thunderbirds as their second team this season and by Saturday’s grand final it was only dedicated Swifts fans that weren’t on the T-Birds train. To see the proud club win its first title in a decade in an absolute belter of a game was fantastic for the Thunderbirds and the sport.

Lowlight: Tensions between NA and the Australian Players Netball Association

The season may be over but there remains massive uncertainty over contracting for next year with no Collective Players Agreement or Team Participation Agreement in place for next year, while the delayed naming of the Diamonds team was a lowlight for the sport overall.

Super Netball contracts for the 2024 season have been made more convoluted by the collapse of Collingwood. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Biggest news: The collapse of the Collingwood Magpies

It came as a shock, despite the club having struggled on and off court for some time. After they burst to life in the first year of Super Netball a team packed with talent and promising plenty, the Magpies have consistently failed to deliver and incoming CEO Craig Kelly wielded the axe after seeing the financial drain the netball operation had become on the football club.

Under pressure: Free agents

While they remain contracted until the end of September, all 80 Super Netball players are now free agents but have no idea when the signing window opens given there is currently no eighth team, Collective Player Agreement or Team Participation Agreements in place. The biggest losers are fringe players, who have been informed by their current teams that they are not in plans for next season. With players and their agents not meant to take part in talks with rivals, they‘re stuck in limbo.

Focus turns: World Cup

The Super Netball season may be over but the opening centre pass of the World Cup is less than three weeks away. For the best of the best, the focus now turns to Cape Town and bagging the biggest trophy in the sport. It’s not just the 15 members of the Diamonds squad (including reserves) either. Underlining Super Netball’s position as the best competition in the world, all seven Jamaicans playing in the league, as well as three England Roses, will link with their national teams this week ahead of what promises to be a thrilling Cup.

Australian players can now turn their attention to the World Cup. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Team of the year

GS: Eleanor Cardwell (T-Birds)

Big call to pick Cardwell over Jhaniele Fowler at shooter but she‘s had a stellar season in both goaler bibs and her development at GS could be scary for Australia in Cape Town.

GA: Helen Housby (Swifts)

Outstanding season from the Roses stalwart, arguably her best in Super Netball. Housby led all goalers from super shot range, turning the two-point opportunity into an attacking weapon for the Swifts rather than just a catch-up play. Her workrate and defensive effort is also hard to top.

Housby was a standout performer across the Super Netball season. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

WA: Liz Watson (Vixens)

Just. The Diamonds captain played a fair bit of the season in the centre bib with Hannah Mundy often starting at wing attack but Watson remains the best in the world here. Just shades T-Birds wonder Georgie Horjus, who schooled Watson in the teams‘ first meeting before the Vixen claimed points in the rematch.

C: Jamie-Lee Price (Giants)

Rebounded from the devastation of being left out of the Commonwealth Games team last year with a breakout domestic international series and Super Netball showing that left Diamonds selectors with no option but to include her in the team for this month’s World Cup. Always a strong player, Price has now also found the consistency that has made her one of the top players in the game.

WD: Latanya Wilson (T-Birds)

Revels in the midcourt with her long wingspan a nightmare for opponents and in concert with goal defence Matilda Garrett creates enormous pressure for teams trying to get the ball into the attacking third. An athletic aerial wonder who can shift into the circle seamlessly, Wilson will be a major threat at the World Cup as well.

Wilson played a crucial role in the Thunderbirds’ title-winning defence. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Firebirds)

Diamonds squad member Matilda Garrett started strongly and Diamonds incumbent Sunday Aryang finished the season with a surge. But Bakewell-Doran was the most consistent of the trio across the year, finding real rhythm with Remi Kamo in the circle. Strong in the air, outstanding on the hunt outside the arc and continually gaining momentum in the physical battle, it‘s no wonder Bakewell-Doran is in the Diamonds squad again and as a reserve will be key in preparing her teammates for the Cup.

GK: Shamera Sterling (T-Birds)

Not as simple as it seems, this one. Sterling has been outstanding again, especially in the air, where she revels. But Diamonds Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau have had outstanding seasons as well, showing the embarrassment of riches at Super Netball level. Bruce in particular finished the year in outstanding fashion, almost single-handedly dragging her team through the finals, while Klau continues to amaze with her ability to find her best in the big moment.