Grant big boost for Titans, says Bailey
AS the Gold Coast Titans enter their second year of Queensland state league netball, a former Northern Mystics midcourter is set to reunite with her fellow Mystics teammate, and now Titans coach, Temepara Bailey.
Keisha Grant and Silver Ferns legend Bailey – teammates in the now-defunct ANZ Championships – will look to recreate their success at the Titans for 2023, with the club swooping on the league's most experienced player.
Bailey said it was huge for the team to gain the experience of Grant, who spent the past two seasons with QUT before they withdrew from the competition after this season. “I was a lot older than her (Grant, at the Mystics), she was young coming in, but it’ll be exciting to have her on the team just with her experience and knowledge,” Bailey said.
“She’s a player that can fit into any style, she’s fit enough and strong enough and has great vision.”
Gold Coast local Talitah Faifai was shocked to receive the call-up to the top Sapphire division, after a stellar 2022 season in Ruby, topped with a grand final MVP performance at the U18 State Titles.
Faifai, 17, said the promotion put her just one step away from her ultimate goal: to reach the Super Netball.
“Besides nervous, I’m really excited and shocked, it’s been my goal to not only play for the Titans but also get to the Sapphire Series, it’s exciting for myself and also my family,” Faifai said.
Faifai began her state league journey with Bond University – who will return to the Sapphire Series in 2023 – before crossing over to the Titans, who hope to field a Super Netball side in coming years.
“Going from Ruby to Sapphire, for my age is something I never thought would happen, I didn’t know I would be able to make it this far,” she said. “(Reaching the Super Netball) is definitely one of my top goals, before my goal was to make Sapphire which I have, so I’m very grateful for that, but either next year after I graduate or the year after my goal is to make Suncorp (Super Netball).”
Joining her in what looks to be a versatile, moving circle will be Annie Lawrie, who comes across from the USC Thunder as one of the league’s most exciting longrange shooters.
The Titans have also picked up two former Wildcats in search of redemption after a winless 2022 season: shooter wing attack Josie Bingham and midcourter Kourtnee Baird. Peta Coles, Jess Milne and Emily Gilbert return to the side for their second year at the Titans, along with 2022 Titans player of the year Bryah Gafa.
Jordan Ngarimu is also set to return after the birth of her second child. Former Cougar and Wildcat Kourtnee Baird will round out the midcourt, while 2022 captain Kristen Oxenford will miss the upcoming season as she prepares for the birth of her child.
Coach Bailey said the team would begin pre-season preparations in the coming weeks.