NETTY’S NEXT GEN
THEY’RE the Super Netball unknowns who will be key players by the end of the season. Think Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran – Firebirds who made their Super Netball debuts last year and ended 2022 in the gold dress of the Diamonds.
The sharpshooter and gun defender almost helped propel the Firebirds into the finals for the first time since 2018 and will be at the forefront for the Queenslanders again as they try to overcome the loss of internationals Gretel Bueta and Eboni Bakewell-doran.
With just 80 full-time contracts available across eight teams, any player who graduates to the world’s best league is going to be special.
The turnover of players is also scant and new faces rare. But the pre-season pre Team Girls Cup on the Gold Coast this weekend is a chance for the young guns to rise. Here are five players to watch out for.
Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
The arrival of England international Ellie Cardwell has plenty of fans excited for what it will mean for the Thunderbirds’ shooting circle. But Austin, who made her debut in 2022, will have her chances this season and the 21-year-old shapes as one of the most exciting young players in the country. Should get plenty of time at the Team Girls Cup.
Ash Unie (Queensland Firebirds)
She made her Super Netball debut for the Lightning as part of the Sunshine Coast’s extended squad during the Covid-enforced hub season. season The folfol lowing year she earned a fulltime contract but suffered an ACL tear on season’s eve. After a move to Brisbane, Unie is ready to show an inexperienced Firebirds defensive unit she is up to the task.
Charlie Bell (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
The shooter started her Super Netball career as a training partner for the Firebirds in 2022 but in the off-season joined the Lightning as a temporary replacement player for Reilley Batcheldor after the shooter ruptured her ACL. Standing at 197cm, Bell presents an imposing target under the ring.
Maddie Hinchliffe (Collingwood Magpies)
She may already have played 14 Super Netball games at two clubs but injury has been a constant companion in the early stages of Hinchliffe’s career. She arrives at the Magpies looking for an opportunity to show she deserves her spot as one of the best defenders in the league. Twin sister of recent Diamonds debutant Tara, Maddie is ready to make waves of her own.
Amy Sligar (Giants)
The former Giants Academy member stepped up to a fulltime role last season and turned in some solid performances in a Giants midcourt already packed with stars. Will get another chance to impress at the Team Girls Cup where she is likely to get plenty of time in a midcourt missing the imposing presence of Diamond Amy Parmenter. And fans may think they’re seeing double, with Amy’s twin and Giants development player Nat Sligar to hit the floor as well.