Net Gains: The 10 rising stars ready to play Super Netball next season
There is a whole host of elite talent rising to the surface in Super Netball, with a young Firebird proving to be a rising star and a future Diamond. Check out the ten rising stars of Super Netball.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Leesa Mi Mi’s showings for the Queensland Firebirds in First Nations rounds over the past fortnight cannot be viewed simply through the prism of her race.
As one of just two Indigenous players in the league, it’s been great to see Mi Mi – the younger sister of former Firebirds midcourt stalwart Jemma and proud Wakka Wakka woman – on court as the league celebrates First Nations heritage.
But Mi Mi’s two Super Netball starting roles – along with her cameo on debut against the defending premiers West Coast Fever in Perth – show what talent is bubbling just below the Super Netball surface.
Mi Mi has taken on Diamonds players Jamie-Lee Price and Australian captain Liz Watson in the two games in which she’s started, with the Firebirds winning both.
And Mi Mi, who started the season as a training partner before grabbing her Super Netball opportunity following an injury to Macy Gardner, was key to those victories, giving nothing away to her more experienced rivals and troubling the pair with her pace, movement and seamless connection with the Queensland shooters, especially Donnell Wallam.
They contributed a combined 42 goal assists, 44 feeds with an attempt, 3 pick-ups, a gain and three deflections across those two games, when she could reasonably have been expected to fade into the background given the experience of her direct opponents.
Mi Mi conceded she had to try not to “fan girl” the Diamonds skipper, but taking on Watson and Price showed her she could compete against the best players in the world.
“I’m just so enjoying being out on court and playing some good netball being in the top league in the world,” she said.
“It is a plus to get to play against your idols but I’m really enjoying being here and I hope I have some more games ahead of myself.”
With a new franchise to come into the competition next year following the demise of Collingwood, and all players in the league off contract at the end of the season, there will be opportunities for new talent.
Many of the spots in the new outfit are likely to go to existing Magpies but the number of talented players in the league not on full-time contracts shows expansion must still be a priority for head office to ensure Gen Next has an opportunity to flourish.
With an unusually high number of training partners getting an opportunity this season due to several long-term injuries, here’s a full team of rookies that could make the grade in any new Super Netball team.
Goal shooter: Charlie Bell (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Yes, technically, Romelda Aiken George is a training partner and could be considered here. But with more than 200 national league games under her belt and another Super Netball finals campaign coming up with the NSW Swifts, we’re ruling her out. Instead, we’ve plumped for Brisbane product Bell, the 196cm shooter who has taken the court on six occasions this season as an understudy for Diamonds goaler Cara Koenen. Standing in for another young gun, Lightning shooter Reilley Batcheldor, who is recovering from a knee injury, the Australian U19 graduate has been a reliable presence for the Lightning and showed her potential with a star turn at the pre-season Team Girls Cup.
Goal attack: Emily Moore (Queensland Firebirds)
Strictly speaking, Moore is a temporary replacement player rather than a training partner. Regardless, she didn’t have a Super Netball contract until late in the pre-season when Gretel Bueta informed the Firebirds she was pregnant and would miss the season, forcing new coach Bec Bulley to scramble to find a new shooter. Initially behind Mia Stower on the Queensland bench, Moore has grown in confidence each week and is forming a great partnership with Donnell Wallam. Honourable mention to Collingwood’s Kelly Singleton, who has played as an injury replacement for Nyah Allen all season.
Wing attack: Jordan Cransberg (West Coast Fever)
A former Vixens training partner, Cransberg is plying her trade over in the West, where she’s subbed in for Verity Simmons and Jess Anstiss while they’ve been forced out under Covid protocols. Technically a cheeky move to put her at wing attack given she’s played mostly at centre this season, Cransberg is, however, just as comfortable in the WA bib.
Centre: Leesa Mi Mi (Queensland Firebirds)
There can be few arguments about Mi Mi’s inclusion, especially after her efforts against Liz Watson and Jamie-Lee Price over the past fortnight. Lightning fast, Mi Mi leaves opponents scrambling and is developing a great ‘heads up’ style, watching what’s developing in front of her in the circle and delivering the ball accordingly.
Wing defence: Ava Black (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
The Lightning have had wretched luck with injuries this season, with Reilley Batcheldor suffering an ACL tear in the off-season, Tara Hinchliffe suffering the same injury just weeks before the season start and her replacement Shannon Eagland tearing hers in a Super Netball match having been named as Hinchliffe’s replacement. Black has taken her chance to be elevated from the training partner list though and has had some strong outings, most recently against Diamonds captain Liz Watson.
Goal defence: Kelea Iongi (NSW Swifts)
The niece of former Diamond Mo’onia Gerrard, Iongi has now played several games for the Swifts with defender Teigan O’Shannassy out injured and has impressed with her athleticism and competitiveness. A former Australian U19 player, Iongi will line up for Tonga at the World Cup, where she is sure to give some of the best shooters in the game plenty of curry.
Goalkeeper: Gabby Coffey (Melbourne Vixens)
Took the court briefly in the opening-round stoush against defending premiers the Fever in Perth with Diamonds defender Jo Weston out of action with a calf injury. After making her Super Netball debut last year, she was again named as a training partner, with coach Simone McKinnis showing she has faith to go to her when needed.
BENCH
Lili Gorman-Brown (NSW Swifts)
The absence of Allie Smith with a foot injury has given Gorman-Brown exposure to the world’s top league, and she’s done nothing but enhance her reputation as one of the best young midcourters in the country during her time on court.
Ang Frketic (Giants)
Frketic has been a member of the Giants’ game-day squad on several occasions over the past two years, filling in for shooters, if not actually taking the court. An accurate and consistent goaler, she’s dominated at the Australian Netball Championships and showed she will be ready to roll when she gets her chance.
Jessie Grenvold (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Grenvold has not actually hit the court for the Thundbirds yet this season, thanks to, touch wood, an untroubled year for the T-Birds defensive unit – something that has propelled the club towards the top of the ladder and will put them in the finals for the first time in a decade. But she showed with her performances at the Australian Netball Championships, where she won a place in the national U21 side, that she’s among the best young defenders in the country and if call on by Tania Obst, will be ready for the Thunderbirds.
ROUND 13 PREVIEW
SATURDAY
Adelaide Thunderbirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning
(Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 7pm)
Crucial game for the Thunderbirds as they attempt to bounce back from last week’s loss and cement a top-two position. Massive battle in the goal circle at both ends of the court as the T-Birds’ star defenders attempt to shut down the Lightning’s Diamonds shooters, while at the other end of the court, Adelaide’s star import Eleanor Cardwell goes head-to-head with Karla Pretorius.The Lightning can’t make the top four but they can still shape the finals battle.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
SUNDAY
West Coast Fever v Giants Netball
(RAC Arena, Perth, 2pm)
Despite there being just two games remaining in the season, West Coast still has the chance to move into the top two and gain the double chance in the finals that would make their premiership defence a step easier. They face arguably their fiercest foe in the Giants, though, who, regardless of their place on the ladder, will be out to rattle cages, especially in vice-captain Jamie-Lee Price’s 150th national league match.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
Queensland Firebirds v NSW Swifts
(Nissan Arena, Brisbane, 4pm)
On paper, this should be a “gimme” for the top of the table Swifts – but Queenslanders love nothing more than being the underdog in a battle against NSW, and Bec Bulley’s improving side will test the Swifts, especially with Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran having a final chance to impress Diamonds selectors. The Swifts are masters of the grind and a ninth consecutive win would guarantee at least a top-two spot, with the minor premiership to be fought out in the final round.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo Freebies
MONDAY
Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies
(John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 1pm)
Expect plenty of spice and emotion in the final Melbourne derby – of the Vixens-Magpies variety at least. It’s fitting that the match will be held in front of a full house at John Cain Arena and after their upset of the Thunderbirds last week the Magpies will head into the clash high on confidence. The Vixens are desperate to finish the regular season with a pair of wins to give themselves an outside chance of finishing in the top two ahead of finals.
Watch: Foxtel, Kayo
(All times AEST)
More Coverage
Originally published as Net Gains: The 10 rising stars ready to play Super Netball next season
‘They rarely lose two in a row’: Diamonds legend fires warning to NZ
The Diamonds suffered their worst loss to New Zealand in more than a decade on Sunday night but a legend of the sport has backed them to bounce back in coach Stacey Marinkovich’s 50th Test.
Aussie world beaters stunned in ‘shock’ upset
Australia’s all-conquering Diamonds have been demolished in a massive netball upset in the Constellation Cup that no one saw coming.