REVEALED: Townsville’s top 41 Premier League netballers celebrated
Townsville’s Premier League netball season has come to a close and we are celebrating 41 of the most outstanding players of 2024. See our first and second teams of the season along with honourable mentions and breakout stars.
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Another thrilling season of Premier League netball has come to a close in Townsville after one of the most tightly contested competitions in years.
The quality was so strong in 2024 that we couldn’t settle on just one team of the season.
In fact, the battle for selection was so fierce that we selected a second team of stars that could be just as competitive.
Runaways claimed grand final glory when goal shooter Jorja James drained 30 goals in a shock 48-47 victory over Saints, capping of a sensational second half to the season.
Runaways’ premiership-winning run helped them earn five selections in the 14 starting positions up for grabs – the most of any single club.
Saints and the Burdekin Silverlinks each had three players selected while Highlanders featured two and the First Nations Academy of Excellence had one.
FIRST TEAM
GS: Mackenzie Linton (Burdekin) – Burdekin’s tall shooter finished third overall in the scoring charts but it was her accuracy and efficiency which gave the Linton the nod for our first team. Linton was able to stay healthy and lead her team in the circle, and the Silverlinks star scored 394/455 goals at an incredible 86.59 per cent in just 46 periods.
GA: Abbey Pearson (Saints) – Pearson honed in her accuracy in 2024 and was able to take a leading role at Saints. Her shot selection and distribution was second to none making her a very well-rounded GA. In a team stacked with shooting talent, Pearson scored 202 goals at a smidgen below 80 per cent.
WA: Jess Freeman (Runaways) – Runaways’ entire mid-court had an outstanding season but Freeman was regularly among the best with her unmatched speed and energy. Freeman is always a step ahead and she is one of the quickest distributors in the Premier League.
C: Martina Monday (Burdekin) – Monday had a great season with the Silverlinks and established herself as one of the competition. Great decision making is the cornerstone of Monday’s game but her athleticism and physicality make her a great asset to the team.
WD: Imogen Everson (Runaways) – Every champion team needs a defender like Everson who can blur the lines between attack and defence. The tenacious WD played big minutes in a key role and her passing speed and accuracy is elite.
GD: Sam Brown (Highlanders) – Brown rarely left the court for a breather, using her great fitness to win turnovers until the final whistle. She was able to find another gear late in the season to guide Highlanders into the finals.
GK: Rebecca Barnsley (Saints) – Underestimate the Saints defender at your own peril, Barnsley consistently proves herself to be the Premier League’s best GK with her effort plays and improbably high vertical leap.
SECOND TEAM
GS: Jorja James (Runaways) – James was outstanding for Runaways whether deployed at GS or GA. She made 470/563 goals at an impressive 83.48 per cent and was key to her team’s late charge to claim the title, scoring at least 30 goals in five of her last six games.
GA: Bianca Theodore (Runaways) – Theodore was never afraid to fire a shot from long range, and more often than not she would watch it sail through the hoop. The determined GA finished as the league’s fourth-highest scorer with 356 goals in 2024.
WA: Rachel King (Saints) – A very complete mid-courter, King made her minutes count with enthusiastic and active play in transition. One of Saints’ more experienced players was able to settle her team when they needed it.
C: Tarna Stewart (FNAE Roos) – What a season from the Roos mid-courter, who also dipped her toes into a defensive role later in the year with stints at GD and GK. Stewart is a controlled and measured player who can be relied upon to make good decisions with the ball and in defence.
WD: Emily Prescott (Highlanders) – The ferocious Highlander was fearless in defence, rising to whatever challenge teams could throw at her.
GD: Alyssa Golding (Runaways) – Golding never backed down from a challenge and was a standout with her exceptional positioning in defence.
GK: Amy Butterworth (Burdekin) – Butterworth was the anchor at the back for the Burdekin, keeping a tight ship in the circle as the Silverlinks enjoyed a resurgent season. Butterworth is regularly one of the best players in the competition and is a valuable mentor for her teammates.
PLAYERS WHO JUST MISSED THE TEAMS
Sophie Watson (Highlanders) – Watson finished as the Premier League’s top goalscorer and she was Highlanders’ rock in attack. The strong shooter played just about every minute of every game and finishing with 512 goals is a huge accomplishment.
Keely Warcon (Runaways) – It doesn’t matter where she’s playing, you always know what you’re going to get from Warcon: unmatched effort and clutch plays. Equally effective in attack or defence, Warcon was a key part of Runaways’ premiership run.
Charlie Duke (Marian Vixens) – Duke was a dominant presence in defence and she almost single-handedly kept her side in some games. She formed a formidable combination with Maddy Ryan before the later was ruled out for the year with injury.
Shannon Perry (Marian Vixens) – The Marian Vixens mid-courter is electric with the ball and she has fantastic vision and netball IQ. Perry is tough and fit, and opponents know when she’s on the court.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Grace Bowman (Highlanders)
Madeline Stewart (Neptunes)
Chelsea O’Neill (Saints)
Tenisha Solomon (FNAE Roos)
Sarah Butterworth (Burdekin)
Lasharna Oswin (Neptunes)
Amie Taylor (Marian Vixens)
Kelyse James (Runaways)
Shakira Koskela (FNAE)
Cara Trindle (Burdekin)
Mischa Oliver (Phoenix)
BREAKOUT PLAYERS OF 2024
Charlotte Clive (Phoenix)
Ruby Mack (FNAE Roos)
Carly Perso (Highlanders)
Sarah Mainwaring-Samwell (Burdekin)
Danielle Major (FNAE Roos)
Lily Harms (Saints)
Caitlin Brennan (Saints)
Emily Waters (FNAE Roos)
PLAYERS WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MORE OF IN 2024
Amity Bugeja (Marian Vixens)
Maddie Ryan (Marian Vixens)
Georgia Sullivan (FNAE Roos)
Rose Munokoa (Saints)
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Originally published as REVEALED: Townsville’s top 41 Premier League netballers celebrated
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