Super Netball’s game changers: How Mavericks’ Palavi and fellow super subs are shining on netball’s biggest stage
They’re the players grabbing their limited opportunities with two hands and showing they belong in the best netball competition in the world. How your club’s super sub is impacting the league.
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They’re Super Netball’s subbed in stars, the players making the most of every minute they get on court to show they belong in the best league in the world.
Led by the Mavericks’ super shooter Uneeq Palavi, who has stepped into the shoes of England international Eleanor Cardwell and including players on temporary replacement deals for others injured or on maternity leave, they cover the full spectrum, from the game’s green rising stars, to former internationals.
Palavi has been a training partner at the Mavericks for both years of their existence but made her Super Netball debut with the Swifts last year, joining on a temporary deal following the departure of Sam Wallace-Joseph.
Her talent shone through in that stint and when Cardwell underwent knee surgery in the off-season, Palavi won a call-up and has been a reliable option for coach Tracey Neville, especially during the super shot period.
With Sasha Glasgow finding her mojo again after returning from a horrific leg injury last pre-season and gaining more minutes, Palavi’s time on court could be reduced but it’s something the 23-year-old is taking in her stride.
“As a newbie coming up you want to prove yourself but if the person who’s in front of you is stepping up to the game, then all I can do is just applaud that and be happy for my team – and that I am,” said Palavi, who was jumping up and down on the sideline when Glasgow swished a key super shot late in the game against the Queensland Firebirds last week.
“It’s always good to come on and take the opportunity with two hands whenever I’m given it and full credit to the girls for just backing me whenever I step on the court.
“They never make me feel like I’m a burden.”
While Cardwell returned for the Mavs reserves last week, coach Tracey Neville said the jump up to Super Netball level was huge and with just three fixtures left, she may not be seen at all this season given the ramifications for her Commonwealth Games preparations should she return too early and reinjure herself.
It means Palavi is likely to get more chances to prove she can thrive at this level, something she hopes clubs will be taking note of as they examine their lists for 2025.
While she would be excited to see Cardwell back, if it wasn’t the case, Palavi would just keep working as hard as she could for the team.
“I just keep proving myself at training. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the team for the last 11 weeks and I can do is just wait for another call up, or just hope for another opportunity to maybe crack a contract next year,” she said.
“I really hope I have (put my hand up). I’ve been working on my goal attack game … I’ve always been a goal shooter, up until probably last year, and it’s good to have both, so I can be that versatility that teams maybe want to look at.”
Like Palavi, Abigail Latu-Meafou has been toiling away for the Firebirds, stepping up from her role as a training partner and playing at goal attack after Tippah Dwan stepped back from the team to rehab a knee injury.
Latu-Meafou, who has now played seven games this season, earnt a start for the Firebirds last week, ahead of full-time contract holder Emily Moore.
But as a training partner who’s not the nominated (11th player), she will have to relinquish her place if Dwan returns from injury.
“Abi earned (her start), she’s been stepping up for us week in, week out,” coach Kiri Wills said.
“She deserves her chance and she takes (those super shots) – and she’s smart, so we’ve got a lot of time for Abby in this group.
“It’s difficult when you’re a temporary replacement player week to week. You don’t know what you’re doing, but she’s handled it really, really well.”
On the Sunshine Coast, Kristiana Manu’a has stepped in for Ava Black after the defensive midcourter suffered a season-ending injury, while nominated athlete Grace Whyte and goaler Sophie Fawns have been rotated in and out of the team by coach Briony Akle, who’s also brought in the experienced Verity Simmons for new mum Maddy Proud.
The Thunderbirds are another club opting to bring their nominated player into the 10 often, with contract-holder Lucy Austin gaining game time in Super Netball reserves while Sophie Casey gets a taste of the big time.
Defender Maggie Caris has stepped up at the Vixens with contract-holder Emily Mannix on maternity leave, while Zoe Cransberg has slotted into the Fever midcourt after defender Ruth Aryang ruptured her achilles early in the season and Mwai Kumwenda was in the match-day squad in the opening two rounds ahead of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s return.
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