Simply the best: Byrnes reveals all-star Sapphire Series line-up since 2019

While rumours fly about who is moving where, high performance coach Erin Byrnes has looked back on the past five years of the Sapphire and Ruby Series to come up with her all-star Ruby and Sapphire teams. Full details:

Pre-season is underway for most Sapphire Series clubs, and while rumours fly about who is moving where, we look back at the past five years.

High performance coach Erin Byrnes sits down to reveal her all-star Ruby and Sapphire teams plus the elite coaches who have made the biggest impact.

From Firebirds to rookies, see who made the list and why Byrnes says ‘they’re the best.’

SEE MORE: Signings hub for 2024, movers and shakers of every club revealed

SAPPHIRE

Sapphire Series netball team captain, Amy Sommerville from Tigers – Photo Steve Pohlner

GS – Amy Somerville

Carina Leagues Club Tigers

Suncorp Super Netball: NSW Swifts and QLD Firebirds

Somerville has been a playmaker of the Tigers shooting circle since day dot. With experience in the Swifts and Firebirds ranks, her signature high shot is hard to miss. She has been a stalwart at the club and captain since Katie Walker’s departure in 2020.

Mia Stower of the Firebirds. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

GA – Mia Stower

Brisbane North Cougars

Suncorp Super Netball: OLD Firebirds

Stower is a versatile GA who spent her time on the fringe of Firebirds before finally cracking the 10 in 2023. She was part of the dominant Cougars Sapphire team from the beginning of their reign in 2020 onwards.

Keisha Grant of the Gold Coast Titans. Image: Gold Coast Titans

WA – Keisha Grant

Brisbane South Wildcats, QUT Netball and Gold Coast Titans

ANZ Championship: Tactix

Boasts incredible depth on her second phase movements and can perfect the quick no-look pass to her teammates. After a stint in the ANZ Championships (former SSN) and with the Wildcats and QUT, Grant brings her knowledge to the Coast.

Leesa Mi Mi of the Firebirds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

C – Leesa Mi Mi

Brisbane North Cougars

The younger sister of former Firebird Gemma Mi Mi, Leesa has developed as equally strong through the HSS ranks. She has been involved in the Cougars dominating side for several years and is a stalwart of their midcourt.

Hulita Veve of the Firebirds. (Photo by Glenn Hunt/Getty Images)

WD – Hulita Veve

Brisbane South Wildcats, QUT Netball and Ipswich Jets

Suncorp Super Netball: OLD Firebirds

There’s no denying Veve is the greatest centre court the Sapphire Series has seen. Her Wildcats and QUT teams came close to premierships under coach Paula Stuart in 2019 and 2020 respectively but fell short in the grand finals. No matter which colours she dons, Veve is a key on court; a playmaker and breaker. She was a member of the Firebirds in 2016, and after giving birth to two children, she will return to the nest in 2024.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran of the Firebirds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

GD – Ruby Bakewell-Doran

Brisbane North Cougars

Suncorp Super Netball: OLD Firebirds

2023 was just her first year as a fully contracted Firebird, but Bakewell-Doran quickly become a household name. The Cougars junior is a gun in the circle with long limbs and an elite jump to put off the best of shooters.

Remi Kamo of the Firebirds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

GK – Remi Kamo

Brisbane North Cougars

Suncorp Super Netball: OLD Firebirds

Another first year Firebird, Kamo was a pillar of the Cougars defence end for years. Her absence was felt in 2023, but the star is looking right at home in purple.

Shooting – Abi Latu-Meafou (Tigers, Titans, Jets)

Midcourt – Stephanie O’Brien (Jets)

Defence – Danielle Taylor (Jets)

RUBY

Poppy Larson

GS – Poppy Larson

Carina Leagues Club Tigers

Larson is no longer on the scene, but there’s no denying her presence in the comp’s first year. Her strength in goal shooter combined with the stamina to play in goal attack is hard to come by. As a tall and agile shooter, Larson was part of the inaugural Ruby Tigers team which won the 2019 premiership – the club’s first of four since. She moved to Gladstone the following year but in one game of Sapphire after an emergency call-in.

Sapphire Series netball Round 1 – Brisbane South Wildcats Vs Ipswich Jets Picture David Clark

GA – Samantha Ryan

Ipswich Jets

A stalwart of Jets’ Ruby side, Ryan has been on the scene from the start. She is a household name in opposition team talks, as one who can create space in the circle and execute her shots under immense pressure and fatigue. She offers undeniable stamina in goal attack.

WA – Bayley Boyd

Sunshine Coast Thunder

2023 featured Boyd in the Sapphire ranks but years of Ruby are what helped her get there. She is an experienced Queensland representative, having playing in the Under-17s and Under-19s since bottom age. Her speed and ball placement is second to none, making her one of the shining young guns in the Sapphire league.

Pic credit: KWP Studios Flagstone. Pictured: Maddy Davies

C – Maddy Davies

Brisbane North Cougars and Brisbane South Wildcats

An endurance extraordinaire, Davies switched from the Cougars to Wildcats in 2023 and flourished in her new colours. She is on the shorter side of line-ups, but offers the speed and agility that others lack. While she has recently played Sapphire, the zippy centre has mostly held Ruby contracts.

Georgia Bloxham gets possession for Carina Tigers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

WD – Georgia Bloxham

Ipswich Jets and Carina Leagues Club Tigers

Bloxham started in the Jets colours but moved to Tigers in 2021. She has been captain of the side since and for good reason. The versatile defender can switch from the circle to wing defence with ease and has legs to burn.

Gold Coast Titans netball in HART Sapphire Series (Ruby). Pictured: Shanae Grant

GD – Shanae Grant

Ipswich Jets and Gold Coast Titans

Grant spent much of 2023 filling in for the Titans Sapphire side, and has recently been rewarded with a 2024 contract. She is a strong circle defender who can adapt to her teammates and work both on and off the body.

GK – Holly Comyns

Carina Leagues Club Tigers

Comyns will move into the Sapphire ranks in 2024, but the past two years of Ruby have propelled her into Aussie squads. She is a tall, agile defender who can play keeper and goal defence. Comyns’ signature jump easily catches eyes.

Shooting – Tia Crombie (Tigers, Titans) and Emily Gage (Tigers)

Mid court – Lily Gray (Tigers, Titans)

Defence – Harriet Nicholson (Panthers, Bond)

COACHING HONOURS

Liz White

Brisbane North Cougars

White has been with the Cougars through thick and thin. The club has won four straight titles (2020-2023) under her guidance despite this year battling low numbers. Cougars are widely known as the unofficial feeder to the Firebirds, and it shows when their full squad comes together. In this year’s final series, the side defeated both Jets and Titans to earn a spot in the grand final. As underdogs, they were able to bring home gold.

Paula Stuart

Brisbane South Wildcats, Carina Leagues Club Tigers, QUT Netball and Ipswich Jets

Stuart started her HSS campaign with the Wildcats in 2019, taking them all the way to the grand final but going down to the Jets. In 2020, she moved up the M1 and coached the Ruby Tigers who claimed their second premiership. After her stint in the stripes, Stuart took over the QUT Sapphire side in 2021 and 2022. She went to one grand final with QUT but fell short again, this time to Cougars. In 2023, when QUT disbanded due to a University decision, Stuart took charge at the Jets as Sapphire head coach. The side has an immensely successful campaign and managed to hold a spot on the grand final, but as history repeated itself, the Cougars charged through as underdogs to claim the title.