Super Netball 2024: Donnell Wallam weighs up future after signing one-year Firebirds deal

There’s little doubt there was trouble at the Firebirds last season. But despite the upheaval, Diamonds star Donnell Wallam has committed her future to the club. But for how long?

Donnell Wallam’s single-year Super Netball contract did little to quell speculation she was not enjoying life as a Firebird.

But there’s nothing Wallam would like more than to bring success back to the Queensland club that has been a serial underachiever in the Super Netball era.

The Diamonds goaler is enjoying her role at the Firebirds, where she’s not just the go-to shooter but a key leader for the women in purple.

Largely lost in the drawn-out wrangling over the latest Collective Player Agreement was the ability for players to sign three-year deals.

Many players and clubs locked in the maximum during a tumultuous off-season marked by mass player movement.

Donnell Wallam wants to take the Firebirds back to the Super Netball finals. Photo: Getty Images

Wallam chose not to leave the Firebirds but signed only until the end of 2024.

“I think I was just happy to sign a one-year contract and reassess my future,” she said.

“I don’t know what that looks like yet.

“For me, it’s just see how we go after this year and how I feel and if I still want to continue.”

Spoken or not, there’s little doubt there was tension in the Firebirds ranks last year.

Head coach Bec Bulley experienced a baptism of fire in her first year as a head coach, parting ways with her own assistant just days out from the season start and guiding a side that struggled at times for consistency and cohesion.

But a thorough off-season review has everyone pulling in the same direction this year as the Firebirds bid to make the Super Netball finals for just the second time since the competition started in 2017.

“We all feel like we’re all on the same page and we all want the same outcome for the Firebirds,” Wallam said, noting the results of the work the squad has done on teamwork, building resilience and decision-making under pressure were showing on court in their pre-season outings.

Donnell Wallam is heading into just her third Super Netball season but has already played six Tests for the Diamonds. Photo: Getty Images

“We held our own against the Sunny Coast (Lightning) who have got experienced Diamonds players all up the court.

“So that was really positive for us to see that and just know that what we’re doing off the court is transferring on to court as well.”

Wallam believes the finals are a realistic prospect for the Firebirds if they can maintain consistency and not allow a gaping chasm between their best and worst performances – or even periods within matches – as was the case last year.

“Our goal this year is to play finals and I think we’re a good chance,” she said.

“A lot of people probably have written us off because we are such a young, inexperienced team but we have self belief.”

Head Coach Bec Bulley experienced a baptism of fire in her first season at the Firebirds. Photo: Getty Images

Already a fan favourite, Wallam would be given honorary Queenslander status if she was able to deliver the kind of success that was a staple for the Firebirds in the mid-2010s.

She remains a proud Western Australian though – perhaps one of the reasons for the short contract – but would be extremely proud to help return success to her adopted state.

“I’m just doing what I have to do and I’m over here on a contract and so I’ll make this my home as well,” she said.

“I have my own rental, my family comes over (to the east coast), so during the season Brisbane is home but I think Perth will always be home.

“I have a lot of pride in playing for Queensland and whoever I play for, I always give 110 per cent and I would just love to be part of success here in Queensland as well. I think that would be great.

“And I think the fans deserve to be having some success. I don’t think the Firebirds have been in the finals for a few years now, so I think we’d all love for that to happen this year.”

Donnell Wallam of the Firebirds in action against Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling at Nissan Arena. Photo: Getty Images

With six Test caps to her name and having taken part in the Diamonds’ successful Commonwealth Games and World Cup campaigns as a travelling reserve, it’s sometimes hard to remember Wallam has just two Super Netball seasons under her belt.

She heads into her third from next month still looking to build her game and satisfy an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

“I’m forever learning and hoping to get better as well. So I’m just looking forward to keep developing my skills and hopefully be more of a threat this year,” she said.

Having turned 30 at the end of January, Wallam is also relishing being a senior voice in the Firebirds set-up.

“There’s still a lot that I don’t know but also with my age comes maturity and being able to be a leader just from life experiences, that just carries over onto the court as well,” she said.

“It’s something that I’ve really actually enjoyed – stepping up and being a leader in the Firebirds environment – so I’m actually really pleased to be out there with those girls and leading them on court.

Wallam will form her third significant combination in three years at the Firebirds, combining with Tippah Dwan in the circle after the departure of Mia Stower and with Gretel Bueta, who remains on sabbatical following the birth of her second child.

It’s an exciting combination, although Wallam admits it’s still a work in progress as the pair – who worked together briefly in Diamonds camp ahead of the Netball Nations Cup at the start of the year – continue to gel.

“We’re still working on our combinations but Tip’s really diverse – she can be that player out the front and give space to the shooter or she can come in and be a real threat in the circle as well which, I find is just really easy to play with,” Wallam said.

“She just makes my job easier.”