75+ names: Get to know the standouts and breakouts of U16, U18 Nissan Netball State Titles 2024
The usual suspects were on display at Nissan State Titles, showing Queensland selectors why they’re the best in the biz. But with so many new faces eyeing a maroon dress, who really stood out? Full list inside:
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The usual suspects were on display at Nissan State Titles, showing the netball world why they’re the best in the biz when it comes to Queensland’s rising stars.
But with so many new faces on the scene, all gunning for a place in the Under-17 and Under-19 State squads to compete at Nationals next year, no one’s spot is guaranteed.
From the vets back for year #4, to those on debut and the ones on the cusp of a breakout campaign, who made the biggest impact?
See the full list of 77 players across both age groups:
UNDER 16
TITANS
Ava Barrett
A top age GS/ GA who broke onto the scene at schoolgirls 2022 before making strides in her game to become more agile and efficient under the post. She’s tall and athletic with promise to go further.
Harmony Topeto
Has become a household name on the netball scene after a breakout 2023 season where she was named in the U17 squad as a bottom age shooter. Topeto is quick enough to cover GA while strong enough to play a holding position.
Isabella Lyons
A cross-code talent of netball and Australian rules football, Lyons was a key to Titans Yellow EPL making the semi-final. She’s a speedy goal attack who isn’t afraid to take shots under pressure – and fatigue.
Alyr Hogarth
New to the scene as a bottom age shooter, Hogarth showed skills and maturity on court beyond her 15 years. She’s one to keep an eye on over the next 12 months as her game continues to progress, playing among seasoned talents in the southeast.
Morgan Smith
A rising midcourt talent who has shown growth in her game since the beginning of 2024. Smith uses her speed through the centre to deliver options through mess and has proven herself coachable on the spot.
Stephanie Aguinaldo
A formidable wing/ centre who lets no ball through easily. Aguinaldo is a hardworking middie who can cover wing defence primarily and back it up with a run in centre for fresh legs.
Jayda Penitani
Her no-nonsense style allows Penitani to cover any position from keeper to WD. She’s strong and consistent in her role and has become a known menace around the courts.
Harlow Faaee
Another of Gold Coast’s promising stars coming through, Faaee seems to get better every time she takes the court. The long-limbed circle defender can table in the midcourt when needed and is the ultimate leader of her unit.
JETS
Harmony Letoa
A growing figure on a scene full of top-end shooters, Letoa returned as a top age talent in 2024 and proved why she deserves a spot in Jets’ program. Tall, athletic and agile.
Julia Searles
Searles is a new face to the State Titles campaign but out herself out there as a hardworking wing. The smaller, zippy middle used her strengths to put pressure on Queensland’s best.
Ruby Stanford
A tall and long-limbed defender who showed promise over the tournament and leadership the circle. Stanford may be the next project piece to Jets’ rotating production of top tier talents.
BULL SHARKS
Roma Talaapitaga
A product of King’s Christian College and growing as a prominent name in netball circles, Talaapitaga is quick, agile and unassuming through the midcourt.
Bridie Stewart
Stewart is a basketball convert who has shone for Bond in EPL and now State Titles as a utility shooter off the bench. Her height and athleticism is the perfect recipe, and experience at Vicki Wilson Cup this season gave her a boost of confidence.
Jasmine Fidow
A defensive midcourt player who made the move from Jets to join Bond’s growing list of up-and-comers. She is a hungry player who will chase down a loose ball at all costs.
Olivia Davidson
A fresh face to the southeast roster of shooters, Davidson made her presence known under the post with strength, confidence and accuracy.
PANTHERS
Tayla Kauter
Kauter is a surprise package in the midcourt. The speedy and equally strong centre showed no fear coming up against Queensland’s star middies, taking her role in strides and owning the bib for Panthers. She gave a full effort in every game and was most importantly consistent.
Leandri Heyns
Tenacious and unassuming on circle’s edge, this defensive middie is one to keep your eyes on as a promising product of the Darling Downs region.
PULSE
Lashonda Taliai
Can read the play and pick off intercepts on the hunt, but is equally patient and knows when to stay in the circle to hassle her shooter. Taliai will put her body on the line.
Lucille Heath
A tall holding shooter with plenty of potential. Heath has the basics down pat in her hold and timing, and with more experience in high-pressure competitions, there’s no doubt she’ll develop into a sort after player.
Olivia Young
A workhorse through the midcourt with a killer change of speed and direction that caught her players off guard. The small and zippy Young facilitated a majority of assists too.
MONARCHS
Alysse Atherton
Covers ‘the lot’ of mid court positions, offers game IQ and gets to work off the circle to ensure no easy feeds from opposition middies.
COUGARS
Simoné Botha
Back for her second year of State Titles now top age, Botha showed her experience in new colours having made the switch from Panthers to Cougars this time around. She stronger, more versatile than 2023 and ready for another successful campaign in the Queensland squad.
Amelia Nemcansky
Rounding out Cougars’ list of experienced shooters, Nemcansky – who boasts long resume of indoor selections – stepped onto court with a purpose this tournament. She isn’t particularly tall for a gaoler, but accuracy and movement makes up for that deficit.
Ariana Ransfield
A Gold Coast product in her second campaign, Ransfield boasts game IQ beyond her years thanks to experience in school girls, representative and the likes of QISSN and Vicki Wilson. She is a crafty centre courter with legs that never seem to fatigue.
FLAMES
Ciarn MacBride
A Cairns product who shone at this year’s National Netball Championships, MacBride returned as a top age to State Titles and showed why she’s donned the maroon dress. Her long reach and game IQ combined afford her incredible intercepts from inside and outside the circle – putting pressure on her shooters in tense moments. She pulls rebounds with ease.
Ruby Croxford
A versatile player who displayed her talents in an array of positions depending on Flames’ needs. Croxford found herself running centre as well as WD and GD by day two of the competition. She put 110% on the court at all times and never looked out of place, with quick footwork and a nagging fight for the ball.
Maya Darling
Despite being on the shorter side of her peer shooters, Darling stared as a tenacious and hard working GA who didn’t shy from taking long range shots. Deceivingly quick on change of direction and pace, the teen also boasted her game smarts in shooter to shooter options.
TOWNSVILLE
Lacy Triffett
A deceivingly strong middie who primarily played WD through the tournament. She kept her players guessing their movements which caused turnovers at circle’s edge. Triffett continually assisted in the transition which gave Townsville ample opportunity to convert their possession.
Addison Whalley
Whalley, a versatile shooter, is confident in her movements can find the front space for easy feeds under pressure. Her transition to defence after lost possession is strong and she plays with experience beyond her years as a bottom ager.
THUNDER
Samaya Cook
An intense hustler who uses her feet to get around the body and front of her player. Cook is a challenging defender with long limbs and an impressive reach which affords her countless rebounds every game. She is skilled at reading the play.
Heidi Boyd
Small but strong, Boyd is a zippy attacking midcourt who directs play like a leader. She knows when to engage versus when to clear out space and be ready for the long offer.
Alana Bird
An unfamiliar face who could become a staple member of Thunder’s developing youth, Bird is a selfless shooter with the ability to run at GA when asked. She offers game IQ and works the ball closer to the post using sweeps across the circle.
TIGERS
Indiana Richter
Now has a full year of Ruby Series to her name and a bit more experience against some of the state’s best. Richter’s apparent growth spurt in recent months is a nice addition to her existing fitness and shooting accuracy. She doesn’t hesitate to take her shots and is swift in the action.
Hayley Yeates
The younger sibling of Amber (Under-18s) but plays at the opposing end. Yeates carries the same height and speed as her sister and consistently showed out for big minuted in GD and keeper.
Mia Makras
Makras came through the Metro Districts pathway and is an all-round athletic talent. The small yet feisty WA has laser vision to the circle and will release quickly whether it’s straight to a shooter or her fellow midcourter for a circle’s edge look-in.
Jorja Thomas
A pest to her opposition, Thomas gets hands over every ball. She prioritises the second phase which puts pressure on her player and often pays off with tips and pick ups. She is simply a menace.
CLAWS
Jana Kolesky
Kolesky put herself on the map thanks to her long limbs and ability to get in front position for rebounds. She’s a quick and agile circle defender who shows promise to go far with a little bit more experience.
Tay Tebbatt
A classic middie with speed and endurance to run the show but the patience to not need every ball. She is smart in her movements, working off the body early to be an offer and clear out promptly if the pass isn’t on.
WILDCATS
Addison Imrie
A new and exciting project in the Wildcats den, Imrie boasts a strong hold and body awareness to stand her ground against a variety of defensive styles. She is new to the representative stage but could become a stable member of the Brisbane South region.
UNDER 18
TITANS
Tyrah Faifai
May not be the tallest of shooters, by Faifai – the younger sister of Titans Sapphire shooter Talitah – can hold her own under the post and mix things up when needed. Her variety is invaluable.
Roxy Rhind
Making up one half of the Titans’ twin show, Rhind has made incredible bounds in the past 12 months. Her performance at State Titles was no different, owning the circle against any and all defenders and continuing her elite shot percentage.
Aaliyah Frescon-Sheppard
A strong and athletic midcourt player who can cover all three positions and is known to dabble in GD on occasion, Frescon has the stamina to last a full game at intensity when called for. It’s very possible 2024 could be the year she cracks the Queensland squad’s final cut, after two years of making the squad and narrowly missing out.
Maddy Rhind
The second piece to the twin puzzle, Rhind dominated the opposing circle as she did in the Ruby Series all year. Her impressive vertical and rebounding stats give her an edge above the rest.
Olivia Mallard
Mallard (midcourt) was selected in her first school sport team for the South Coast 16-19years earlier this year and has continued in career form since. Speed is her specialty to offer (and re-offer) safe options on transition.
JETS
Mahlia Henare
A high workrate midcourt who equally stars in offence and defence. Henare is a well-known name in Netball Queensland circles having donned the maroon dress at school sport and representative levels. She boasts a strong arm and classy movement on the circle.
Makayla Cubby
The Cubby name is household in Queensland – and particularly at Jets. In her final year, this midcourter continued the legacy as an impact player.
Leilani Fatialofa
A member of Queensland’s Under-17 side this year, Fatialofa has returned as a top ager bearing new tricks. She’s quicker and smarter with the same long limbs which earn her countless intercepts – seemingly out of nowhere.
TIGERS
Sarah Joyce
Captain of the Under-17 Queensland NNC side earlier this year, Joyce is now bottom age but boasts two nationals campaigns and two seasons of Ruby Series including an appearance in Sapphire. She is a small but powerful attacking middie with explosive speed and textbook footwork.
Amber Yeates
A long limbed shooter who this year played a heavy GA role for the premiership winning Tigers Ruby Series side. She was also named Player of the Grand Final. Yeates came through the CLC pathway from Metro Districts and this marks her third campaign in the organ and black. Based on the improvement shown through Ruby Series in 2024, the teen is a true shot at wearing a maroon dress.
Kaylee Tamala
Is fighting for her first representative state team after two years of making the initial squad in under-16s. Bottom age this year, Tamala is a tall and extremely quick GS/ GA who more recently has experimented in the WA role.
Chelsea Ross
A new and exciting face to the roster, Ross provides an easy offer under the post. She is tall and strong on her holds with a bounce to her step which allows for creative movement with her GA. She’s not a household name yet, but this may have been be her breakout tournament.
Holly Comyns
Returns to the State Titles stage for her fourth and final year. Comyn’s was identified through the AIS pathway at Nationals earlier this year and spent her first year in the Firebirds Futures academy, donning the purple dress for Suncorp Super Netball reserves. She is a tall, athletic circle defender who transitioned from shooter during under-16s. A household name in Netball Queensland and a current finalist for MVP of the QLD Under-19s NNC team (2024).
PULSE
Isabella Ivey
A brand new face at a brand new franchise, Ivey is an exiting prospect for Pulse. She is tall and nimble with a knack for roping in defensive rebounds over seasoned shooters.
NORTH
Charlotte Jonsen
Has been around the shops for several years now but manages to come back stronger every State Titles. Jonsen’s experience in Queensland teams – and more recently selection into the AIS pathway – shows. She is tall, strong and boasts athleticism to shine in both GD keeper.
Rebecca Symons
Quick on her feet and even quicker in decision making. Mack never shies away from a turn and shoot – regardless of the distance. It keeps her defenders on their toes and more often than not results in a quick, efficient goal.
CLAWS
Ellie-Mai Brandenburg
A fresh face from Rockhampton, Brandenburg was one of three girls in the region selected in this year’s schoolgirls 16-19 years Queensland team. She is a quick learner who isn’t afraid to feed from off the circle to get things moving.
Summer Laurie
A tall but mobile moving shooter who was named in the schoolgirls 16-19 years Queensland team this year alongside Brandenburg. Hailing from Rockhampton, Laurie is one to look for in the soon to be established Ruby North Series.
Sonny Ragget
Hails from the Townsville region and is quickly making her mark. Ragget recently transitioned from shooter to midcourt, a position better suited to her height where she can flourish with speed and athleticism.
WILDCATS
Charlotte Blom
Bottom age of under-18s but flourished in her senior year of under-16s in 2023, being named in the initial Queensland squad. Blom has gotten stronger and more balanced since last State Titles and it’s showing in her ability to play against larger defenders. She has a standout EPL season for Wildcats.
Brooke Davidson
Another EPL key, Davidson is on the verge of cracking Ruby/ Sapphire if she keeps up this form. She is a strong, dominant holding shooter who can pop and move along the baseline while putting immense pressure in the case of defensive transition.
Mia Shalhoub
A versatile midcourter who can cover all three positions. Shalhoub is a relatively tall middie with a wicked arm for long clearing balls and ambitious feeds to the circle.
Siana Matavalea
Matavalea caught the eye of selectors in 2023. She owns both ends of the court – keeper and shooter – and has shown her versatility at past State Titles, schoolgirls and Ruby Series.
PANTHERS
Ella Maxwell
Works her feet around the body to muster pesky tips. Maxwell is a tall and agile keeper who is always on her toes and ready to pick off a weak pass.
Amy Williams
Panther’s tall timber shooter, Williams offers a clear and easy target for her feeders. She is strong in her holds which makes her a difficult player to shut down, dominant even against a double team. By day 3, Williams had shot at an incredible 94% accuracy.
Emily Stapleton
With several years of experience in Panthers colours including at Ruby Series, Stapleton has returned for her final year of State Titles. She is a workhorse keeper and GD with the athleticism to play big minutes. Stapleton is a level-headed communicator in the circle, able to direct her teammates in high pressure situations.
COUGARS
Marley and Rio Burns
The well known twin duo of Cougars. Marley dons the GS/ GA bib and Rio runs the midcourt. While still nursing an ongoing foot injury, the latter boasts flashy prelims which keeps defenders guessing. Her shooting sister’s flashy baseline drive works nearly every time, and with text book technique, she rarely misses.
Ellie Brice
Shone at her first State Titles in new colours after moving from Thunder to Cougars for Sapphire Series this year. Brice has been an integral member of the Queensland representative pathway for years and captained the Under-17s to gold in 2023. She is an explosive middie with speed to burn and the ability to find circle’s edge every time.
Ella Macartney
A consistent shooter and long range specialist, Macartney continues to deliver. She was a key in Queensland Under-17s at NNC and arguably a shock omission from the AIS-identified squad.
Gemma Hutchings
Identified in the AIS program and one of Cougars’ most exciting young talents. Hutchings represented Australia at the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Fast5 format at netball. She is agile for her height and read the play well, able to choose between going for the hunt or staying patient in the circle to shut down the feed.
Sienna Jones
A member of the Queensland Under-17s this year and now bottom age gunning for a spot in the Under-19s, Jones completes the hardy starting defensive line-up for Cougars. She is a formidable (primarily) GD with an unassuming reach and speed off the mark. Jones has continued developing every aspect of her game is would be no doubt on selectors radars once again.
THUNDER
Liberty Grohn
Broke onto the scene at last year’s State Titles and was eventually named in the final cut of 16 as a training partner for nationals. She has grown as a player since – demonstrating more patience and balance on her takes and better decision making as a middie.
Jada Delaney
A household name of Queensland netball, Delaney played alongside Hutchings in the Youth Commonwealth Games Fast5 side. She has proven her athleticism on countless occasions plus her versatility to play keeper, GD and WD at anytime. Delaney possesses the netball genes of her Adelaide Thunderbirds and Australian Diamond mother Jacqui.
Kirra Tappenden
A sharp shooter by nature who is no stranger to the spotlight. Tappenden has returned for her fourth and final year and is as strong and ever. She is dominant in GA and equally capable of owning the circle as GS. The now top-age star is a veteran of the maroon dress and an asset to every team she plays for.
Katelyn Relf
Previously a defender who recently switched ends, Relf was named in the 16-19 years schoolgirls side this year. She has come out of the woodwork this past 12 months and demonstrated why she deserves more spotlight. Using her height under the post, she is a strong holding shooter who can rope in the lob with ease. Relf has also shown her coachability – a sort after asset at this age.
BULL SHARKS
Sasha-May Flegler
A Queensland rep vet hailing from far North Queensland before her move to the coast, Flegler is a dominant midcourter with the complete package of speed, smarts and skills to have been named in the Firebirds Futures this year. She donned the purple dress for Suncorp Super Netball Reserves and shows no sign of slowing down on her trek to a professional career.
Mia Stower
Stower came across from Darling Downs to join Bond’s growing program of young talent. She is the younger sister of former Firebird Mia Stower and shows all the potential to follow in her footsteps.
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Originally published as 75+ names: Get to know the standouts and breakouts of U16, U18 Nissan Netball State Titles 2024
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