Super Netball news and results: Stay up to date with everything happening during round 5

Rising Firebirds star Ruby Bakewell-Doran has come up against some of the world’s top shooters this year, including Jhaniele Fowler and Jo Harten, but if she was phased, she didn’t show it.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 12: Ruby Bakewell-Doran of the Firebirds and Jo Harten of the Giants compete for the ball during the round four Super Netball match between GWS Giants and Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena on April 12, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images) ​*** BESTPIX ***

Step out on court and own it – that is how rising Firebirds star Ruby Bakewell-Doran handles the intensity of the Suncorp Super Netball league.

Bakewell-Doran, 23, got a taste of the world’s toughest netball competition at the end of the 2021 season – after impressing in the Sapphire Series.

“I was really lucky to be thrown in the deep end last year, so I knew what I was in for this year.” the defender said.

Watch Suncorp Super Netball on Kayo. Every game of every round LIVE. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >

Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Eboni Usoro-Brown keep an eye on Giants star Jo Harten.

“The biggest challenge has been playing against players I’ve never played on before and learning their game styles.

“But I believe you just have to step out on court and own it.”

Her confidence is a defining feature – visible to all players and those watching from the sidelines.

In just the first four rounds, Bakewell-Doran has come up against some of the world’s top shooters, including Jhaniele Fowler and Jo Harten, but if the young star was phased, she didn’t show it.

Bakewell-Doran said she and her fellow defenders, Eboni Usoro-Brown and Kim Jenner, had really started to find their rhythm.

“I’m learning so much from all of the girls,” she said.

“Eboni brings so much versatility to the game and I found I complement her really well, the same way KJ does. All three of us have different partnerships that work so well together.”

Firebirds will be back at Nissan Arena for an Easter Sunday clash with Adelaide Thunderbirds – their third game in a week.

Bakewell-Doran said there was no doubt the team was feeling it after playing two games in three days – but the strong win over the Giants made it easy to forget about the aching muscles.

They team arrived back in Brisbane, from Sydney on Wednesday – with just three days to prepare for the next clash.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran tries to get the better of Giants’ Jo Harten.

Bakewell-Doran said there would be plenty of recovery sessions planned, some match analysis and then the much-anticipated Easter egg hunt.

Coaches hide the eggs in Nissan Arena and the players race to find them.

“We all turn into our 10-year-old selves and run around the stadium,” Bakewell-Doran said.

“It will kill me but I’ll be saving my chocolate until after Sunday’s game though.”

All festivities aside, Bakewell-Doran said they know Thunderbirds won’t be an easy game.

“We have come up against some really hard teams so it has set us up nicely for this challenge,” she said.

“It is going to come down to all seven of us on the court and the three on the bench – we are really lucky to have so much depth and an ability to adjust the whole game.”

Firebirds play Thunderbirds at Nissan Arena at 4pm on Sunday.

The Firebirds are offering free entry for all kids this weekend - use code kidsgofree.

Magpies lose star to Covid

An international star will miss tonight’s Super Netball clash between Magpies and Giants as Covid-19 continues to spread through the Collingwood squad.

English star keeper and co-captain Geva Mentor has been added to the growing list of Magpies players down and out with Covid-19.

Magpies managed to get their first win of the season with a Covid-19 depleted squad in their midweek game against Lightning.

Shooters Sophie Garbin and Gabrielle Sinclair are still out and midcourter Molly Jovic and Mentor have been added to the list.

Geva Mentor will miss tonight’s Super Netball clash. Picture: Getty Images

Magpies have elevated Nayah Allen and Zoe Davies into the squad and along with Peninsula Waves 19-under Victorian Netball League player Olivia Wilkinson.

After exhausting all of their own nominated athletes, Magpies have also signed Vixens defender Gabby Coffey (nominated athlete) on a one-match temporary replacement player contract for tonight’s game.

Super Netball’s Covid-19 policy allows teams to pull a player from another team once they have exhausted their own list of nominated athletes and training partners – depending on position.

Covid-19 has continued to impact the competition this year with several Giants and Swifts players also catching the virus.

Magpies and Giants will play at 7pm at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday April 16.

Originally published as Super Netball news and results: Stay up to date with everything happening during round 5