Ellis, Geitz, McMahon, Bassett: Lisa Alexander ranks the best 25 netballers this century

Former Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has described the challenge, and honour, she felt while compiling the top 25 netball players this century. See the list, and who made No.1, inside.

Netball is a team sport but it’s important we give recognition to individual greatness and legends of the game who built and fostered the culture of success for Australian netball.

As a coach I’ve had the great privilege to work with some of the finest players in Australian netball history, so to now compile my list of the 25 best Australian netballers this century is both a challenge and an honour.

Some will view this as a controversial list. But I wanted to look at every facet of the game and judge players on how they impacted the game for Australia on the global stage.

Playing for the Diamonds, winning international benchmark tournaments such as a World Cup or Commonwealth Games gold medal, these are the key indicators for greatness.

Success. Longevity. Performance. Leadership. They are all factors that weighed heavily in my thinking.

READ MORE: The Power 100: Australian sport’s most influential women

Sharelle McMahon and Liz Ellis are regarded the best netballers this century. Picture: AAP

We can all spot the solo star, but as a coach, it is leadership and how someone works to inspire, or bring out the greatness in others, as well as play their role for the team, that I see as the most valuable and are the truly special players.

When I look at my list below, the top seven have all been Diamonds’ captains and should be made Legends of netball in the future.

As always, there are some tough decisions and omissions.

Players like Susan Pettitt, Selina Gilsenen, Jacqui Delaney, Eloise Southby, Alison Broadbent, Janine Illitch and Gabi Simpson would deservedly fit into the top 25.

I consulted some key people for their opinions, Australian Diamonds coaches and colleagues, historians and performance analysts, but this is my list and my final rankings.

Liz Watson in action for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images

The hardest part of pulling my list together was finding the data about these great players.

It is such a disservice to our sport that it is so difficult to find detailed information about their achievements anywhere online.

We know their Diamonds player number, but as a sport, netball must get better at honouring all our past players and their contribution to the game beyond their order in history.

Here’s my greatest 25 players this century.

Originally published as Ellis, Geitz, McMahon, Bassett: Lisa Alexander ranks the best 25 netballers this century