Player profiles: Meet the Capricorn Claws team members, training partners
The Claws make their long-awaited return to high-level netball when the Ruby North series starts on May 24 and 25. We run the rule over every player in the 20-member squad.
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Player energy is fuelling a strong sense of unity and belief in the Capricorn Claws’ squad, according to coach Anna Young.
The regional netball team will, after a five-year hiatus, make its return to the court in the Ruby North division.
The Claws will open their campaign at home, playing the first round of the four-way competition at Rockhampton’s CQUniversity on the weekend of May 24 and 25.
Young said there were plenty of positives to come from the squad’s simulation day last weekend.
“The athletes worked within their positional units to refine tactics and fine-tune skills they had been developing independently in their hubs,” she said.
“Many strong individual performers and exciting combinations across all positions are starting to take shape, allowing us to add more flexibility in game planning and the ability to adapt to different styles of play.
“Seeing it all come together as a team was really rewarding.”
Claws’ playing roster
Courtney Napper - captain
Position: WA/C
Association: Capricorn Coast
A returned and experienced mid-courter, she brings a wealth of passion and skill to the court with impeccable timing, vision and space recognition to control play and set up the second phase of attack. With excellent balance, patience and decision-making, she uses her strong movement, varied leads and ability to contest effectively, while also providing valuable ball placement and communication to set up plays and drive the team’s momentum.
Bridget Fletcher - vice-captain
Position: GD/WD/GK
Association: Emerald
Returning to Central Queensland, she is a dynamic defender known for her strong body-on-body work and impressive work rate. With excellent vision through the court, she reads the play well, communicates effectively and dictates in defence, always challenging her opponent and looking for opportunities to intercept, while maintaining quick ball release and pass accuracy.
Kaylee Acton
Position: GS/GA
Association: Rockhampton
A dynamic shooter who combines smart timing with a variety of movement and holds to create strong scoring opportunities. With confidence to post, defensive pressure and strength in the air, she works hard to recover, secure rebounds and transition effectively into defence.
Ellie-Mai Brandenburg
Position: WD/WA/C
Association: Rockhampton
A dynamic and versatile mid-courter, she uses speed, sharp movement and well-timed drives to the circle edge to create attacking opportunities while maintaining strong defensive pressure. With exceptional vision and communication, she executes precise passes, reads the play effectively and transitions seamlessly between attack and defence.
Abbie Buchholz
Position: GD/WD
Association: Rockhampton
A tenacious defender who uses her elevation and strong aerial challenge to contest possession and disrupt attacking play. With smart positioning, timing and the ability to confuse space, she reads the game well and provides a reliable outlet option in transition.
Madison Day
Position: GK/GD
Association: Rockhampton
A premiership-winning defender, she excels at splitting the circle and using precise footwork in the goalkeeper position to contest shots and dictate play. With an excellent read of the game, she adapts to different shooting styles, sets up strong double teams and provides an intimidating defensive backline, while effectively timing her movements and knowing when to come off the body.
Jaya Dyne
Position: GS/GA
Association: Rockhampton
An up-and-coming shooter who demonstrates consistency and patience with excellent timing and controlled movement, positioning herself to pop out and offer a lead while taking front position and drawing her defender out of the contest. With strong decision-making, she uses her hold strength effectively, offers well-timed leads out of the circle, and maintains great awareness of her teammates, seamlessly working with her shooting partner to make precise circle feeds.
Bianca Gibson
Position: GD/WD
Association: Gladstone
An explosive defender with experience in State League and Queensland Indoor Netball, she excels in first-ball contests and dictating play. With sharp footwork, a strong understanding of shutting down opponents’ ball movement and excellent vision for both long and short passes, she works seamlessly with her circle partner to set up defensive plays, delay opponents’ circle entry and maintain a cohesive defensive unit to force mistakes and control the play.
Kira-Lee Nicol
Position: GS/GA
Association: Capricorn Coast
A returning experienced shooter, she excels with her use of back space and confidence in her shot range, consistently posting from various angles. She maintains strong court vision, directly play with her timing and positioning, while using a variety of holds, effective shooter-to-shooter communication and anticipating rebound positions to maintain circle balance and set up plays. A True leader in the attacking line-up.
Taylah Steger
Position: GS/GA
Association: Monto
With excellent positioning and timing on leads, Taylah confidently holds front space, creating strong scoring opportunities while maintaining balance and awareness in the circle. A dynamic and versatile shooter, she applies relentless hands-over pressure, showcases a variety of passing options and confidently takes on the post with patience and precision.
Charlotte Thomas
Position: WD/WA/C
Association: Rockhampton
A reliable and rapidly improving mid-courter, she uses her speed, vision and well-timed leads to create strong attacking opportunities. With a strong work ethic, defensive persistence and a variety of passing options, she transitions quickly and contests every ball with determination.
Kerrie Williams
Position: C/WA/WD
Association: Gladstone
An experienced mid-courter with exceptional vision and game awareness, using well-timed leads and precise feeds to create attacking opportunities. With quick footwork, smart movement to the ball and a strong presence on the circle edge, she consistently controls play and provides a reliable option in transition.
Claws’ training partners
Lily Allen
Position: GK/GD/WD
Association: Rockhampton
A defender newly switched from shooting, she has shown immense improvement in her defensive game, using sharp angles and reading the attackers’ movements effectively With solid hands-over pressure, elevated contesting and a growing confidence to take risks for interceptions, she transitions well from defence to attack, securing rebounds and offering strong leads through court.
Eve Collins
Position: GD/WD/GK
Association: Rockhampton
A rapidly improving defender, she confidently challenges high cross-court balls and uses her strong positional play to read the game and create intercept opportunities. With a tenacious work rate, she delays circle entries, chases loose balls and uses smart footwork to get around her opponent, taking risks and staying engaged in every contest.
Georgia Hanrahan
Position: GA/WA/GS
Association: Rockhampton
A young, versatile shooter transitioning to mid-court, she brings sharp preliminary moves and a strong drive off the line. With great vision, timing and spatial recognition, she uses her speed and move to chase loose balls, apply defensive pressure and be a reliable option, especially with an explosive lead on the centre pass.
Chloe Killalea
Position: GA/GS/WA
Association: Biloela
Demonstrates strong movement and ball control with excellent court vision and the ability to transition defensively. Her game sense is sharp, utilising fakes, setting screens and maintaining circle balance, while also showing awareness of the other shooter and a willingness to chase loose balls and take a super shot.
Summer Laurie
Position: GS/GA
Association: Rockhampton
Comments: Summer is a versatile shooter, using strong movement and well-timed holds to create space and provide a reliable target in the circle. With confident shooting, precise feed placement and defensive pressure, she consistently challenges her opponents while maintaining a strong presence on the court.
Tessa Manning
Position: GD/WD/GK
Association: Rockhampton
A Future Firebirds Regional Program defensive player, she excels with her assertive body position, sharp leads and excellent footwork, using her elevation to contest balls and create defensive pressure. With smart movement around the body, a strong ability to read the play and a focus on confusing space, she effectively repositions on the circle edge and contests passes, maintaining a dominant role in both wing defence and goal defence positions.
Lara Steer
Position: WA/C
Association: Rockhampton
Returning from injury with determination, she makes smart decisions under pressure, using strong leads and controlled transitions to regain confidence and consistency on court. With a focus on positioning and contesting, she reads the play well, rolling off her opponent to space and providing depth in attack, all while applying strong defensive pressure.
Annie Lawrie
Position: GA/GS
Sapphire Series club: Carina Leagues Club Tigers
A former Suncorp Super Netball League and Sapphire Series player, she brings with her a wealth of experience and a tireless work ethic. The ultimate teammate, she is a fierce competitor, a natural leader and a proven game-changer. She has the ability to elevate those around her, as well as netball intelligence well beyond her years.
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