Vixens veteran Kate Moloney reveals why 2025 Super Netball season is crucial for Diamonds

The Super Netball season has never been this important for Diamonds hopefuls, with a potential shake-up looming large ahead of a tilt at Commonwealth Games gold.

With no major tournament on the Diamonds’ calendar this year, a shake-up could be on the cards.

Australia lost the Constellation Cup to New Zealand last year for just the third time and Diamonds midcourter Kate Moloney believes this Super Netball season will be crucial heading into the Commonwealth Games next year.

Moloney is back with the Vixens for the pre-season after being one of 23 players who took part in the two-week national team camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this month.

The intense camp included a session with Olympic boxer Monique Suraci.

“Anytime we get the opportunity to be together, like in Canberra, is so important to us, whether it is to build connections or keeping developing,” Moloney said.

“We will play later this year post-Super Netball but this was really our last opportunity to get together as a squad.”

Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich wasn’t afraid to test new players last year or re-open the door to fringe candidates, which means no spot in the national team is safe.

“This Super Netball season is going to be so important,” Moloney said.

“There will be a new squad announced midway or at the end of the season so it gives everyone the opportunity to put their hand up.

“It’s always tough going for those positions and this year is going to be just as hotly contested as any other.

“There’s the squad that is there now and girls who have played together for a long time but there are so many young girls who are knocking on the door.

“There are always changes in the team and I’m sure there will be lots of people putting their hands up.”

Kate Moloney controls possession for the Vixens.

Moloney, 32, is throwing everything into her pre-season to ensure her spot on the Diamonds team and hopefully erase the disappointment of last season when the Vixens lost the SSN grand final 59-57 to the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

“We lost the grand final by two goals, which was extremely disappointing, but everyone starts the new season at zero,” Moloney said.

“If we want to be standing up there at the end of the year we need to improve.

“We have looked at those things closely and will try to change some things up.

“I think what is really exciting about our group is we’ve got a lot of depth. We showed that last year.

“The girls who got opportunities are going to be even better for it this year.”

The Vixens have locked in a number of pre-season matches in March, including one against the Thunderbirds and another against ANZ premiership side the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.

“We get to play against each other a lot but the opportunity to play against other teams, to see where you are at and to work on different things, try different combinations and get that match fitness, is important,” Moloney said.

The 2025 Super Netball season launches on April 5.

Originally published as Vixens veteran Kate Moloney reveals why 2025 Super Netball season is crucial for Diamonds