Thunderbirds’ young gun Georgie Horjus on taking game to next step after Diamonds’ selection

Georgie Horjus was initially speechless when she received the call-up to the national squad. Now she is hoping to exploit the unique strength to her game to help her take the next step.

Adelaide young gun Georgie Horjus is determined to hone her ability as a twin threat in and out of the goal circle in a bid to cash-in on her first Diamonds’ squad selection.

One of three debutants named this month in the Diamonds’ squad for 2024-25, Horjus offers a unique attacking versatility for her capacity to play as both a midcourter and as a shooting option at goal attack.

While she played most of her junior netball at goal attack, the 22-year-old is now equally comfortable in both the wing attack and GA bib.

Diamonds’ coach Stacey Marinkovich informed Horjus she had been selected in the national squad based on her performances across both positions and it is a dual strength the Thunderbirds’ youngster hopes to capitalise on.

“There are not many goal attack-wing attacks around,” Horjus said.

Georgie Horjus has been selected in both GA and WA positions. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“I am loving that I get to play both positions. Hopefully I can use that as a strength and help me get into the Diamonds’ environment and do well, knowing that there are not many of us.

“Kiera Austin has done a bit of it, so I really want to work hard at both positions and make sure that I am selected for both.

“I grew up playing goal attack a lot more, so I felt a lot more comfortable there, but the last couple of years I have played lots more wing attack so I am feeling really comfortable there now as well.

“Whatever the team needs and wherever I fit in best, I think that’s where I’m happy to be.”Horjus earned her first Diamonds’ call up alongside fellow debutants Ash Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning) and Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens).

She was initially rendered speechless when she received the call from Marinkovich while she was at home studying for her teaching degree.

“I was very shocked,” Horjus said.

“I was just home alone doing some uni and got an unknown number called and answered. I was pretty speechless because I was not expecting anything.

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“She (Marinkovich) rang and said you’ve been selected in the squad, you’ve had a couple of good years and just explained what was going to happen next. I’ve since met up with her and it was really good to meet her because I had not met her at all before then.

“When we met up, she said I had been selected for both positions which I’m really happy about.

“It has been something that I have wanted to do since I was a little girl, so I am very excited.”

But the netballer from Kangaroo Island is determined not to just rest on her squad selection and wants to break into her first Diamonds’ team later this year.

“Being selected was my first goal, but I will keep working really hard,” Horjus said.

“I really want to take the opportunity and learn as much as I can when I go into the camp

“To get an opportunity to play in a Diamonds’ team would be a dream come true.

“I will focus on what I can do to be better as that is a goal that I would really love to do.”

Georgie Horjus is pushing for her first national team selection this year. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

A member of Adelaide’s premiership winning team last year, Horjus has been a driving force in their attack again this season as the third-placed Thunderbirds target back-to-back Super Netball titles.

“We had an awesome year last year and we were so excited to get that premiership,” Horjus said.

“This year is sort of a new year, we have some really new faces and I think we worked really hard in the pre-season and are still working really hard.

“We know we would be the hunted team, so we wanted to make sure that we are hunting for another premiership because we don’t want to be content with just the one, we want to work hard for back-to-back.

“I think the top-four teams at the moment, I think anyone can win it.”

Originally published as Thunderbirds’ young gun Georgie Horjus on taking game to next step after Diamonds’ selection