From an ‘ice queen’ to Adelaide’s ‘asset’: Super Netball’s 10 players to watch in 2026

We’re just two months out from the start of Super Netball season 2026 – which will commence earlier in the year due to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But there’s plenty to look forward to as the Melbourne Vixens attempt to defend their premiership crown.

The Vixens are the only squad unchanged, while there’s a host of big names in new colours in 2026.

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Fox Netball lists the 10 players to watch in 2026.

AVA BLACK – Sunshine Coast Lightning

Ava Black is not your typical midcourter.

Standing at 184cm, Black is deceptively quick … and she’s still only 22.

Add in the fact she can play wing defence and centre – even playing wing attack at under-age State level – and Black is as versatile as they come.

Coming into the 2026 season fresh after missing last year due to her devastating ACL tear, Black will have plenty to prove.

And she’ll add versatility to a rock-solid defensive unit that includes Australia’s incumbent goal keeper Courtney Bruce, rising star Ash Ervin and reigning Silver Ferns player of the year Karin Burger.

Coach Belinda Reynolds has praised Black stating, “she gives absolutely everything each time she steps onto the court”.

What impressed Sunshine Coast most about Black is her determination – and it showed when she juggled Super Netball training partner, state league and 19/U commitments back in 2022.

As a result, she was the player the Lightning turned to as an injury replacement in 2023. And Black was then rewarded with her first full-time deal for 2024.

Keep in mind Black’s rookie year in 2024 was hampered by an ankle injury sustained at training that kept her sidelined for weeks, before she missed all of 2025 due to her knee injury.

Now the 22-year-old Toowoomba product is set to return to her lockdown specialist role for coach Reynolds.

And that makes her a dangerous prospect for the wing attacks of this competition – especially considering she tests herself daily against Aussie captain Liz Watson.

ELMERE VAN DER BERG – Adelaide Thunderbirds

Super Netball hasn’t been this excited to welcome such a young, rising, international goal shooter since … well 2025 when Kiwi Grace Nweke arrived.

But make no mistake: Elmere van der Berg is a name to remember.

At 24, she’s only a year older than Nweke – and has already proven herself in an international competition, having led all scorers in the UK’S Netball Super League last year.

Touching down in Australia is the next big step for a goaler tipped to be the next Gretel Bueta.

“She could be on the move, have the hold … she’s such a focal point,” ex-Diamond Madi Browne praised.

“She has a good, really complete set of skills for her game.

“I can’t wait to see what she can do in that high performing, tense Australian environment with (Thunderbirds coach) Tania Obst. She’ll be a huge asset for the Thunderbirds.”

“Imagine the likes of a Georgie Horjus playing out the front of an Elmere van der Berg and toying with those defenders,” fellow ex-Diamond Caitlin Thwaites added.

“That’s what I can see in the future for the Thunderbirds and it’s a little bit scary.”

Van der Berg’s South African coach Jenny van Dyk and captain Khanyisa Chawane both believe the 24-year-old is ready for the demands of Super Netball.

But will she be ready for the physicality that Super Netball brings?

“I think as a shooter we really need to stand our ground and hold our space otherwise (defenders) are going to walk all over us,” van der Berg said.

“I really need to be strong in the circle … we need to be just as physical as they are to be able to get the ball.”

Game on, we say!

SOPHIE DWYER – Giants Netball

2026 needs to be Sophie Dwyer’s year.

Yes, she’s only 25 but there’s two gold carrots dangling in front of her – the Commonwealth Games and a Netball World Cup in Sydney in 2027.

Dwyer has been part of the Diamonds set up for years now – but it’s at a time where her Giants have struggled while Vixens premiership star Kiera Austin has delivered a goal attack masterclass.

Dwyer finished behind only Austin (97) in turnovers in 2025 at 85 in what wasn’t her most impressive display.

But come 2026, it’s a new era for the Giants – and hopefully for Dwyer.

Together with new recruit and fringe Diamond Lucy Austin, Dwyer could cement both youngsters’ roles in Australia’s attack end for years to come.

“When I look at the shooting end of Giants, we have Matisse (Letherbarrow) as well. That’s a combination we’ve been working on since we were about 12, (that) was about the first time we played together,” Dwyer told Fox Netball.

“So to have that shooting trio (Letherbarrow, Lucy Austin and herself) – we’re all about the same age, we all really want to strive for success with the Giants.

“When I think about it, we could be together for so many years which is also so exciting.”

Should Dwyer regain her super shot form – which went missing in 2025 as Letherbarrow delivered 54 super shots from 90 attempts, the young goal attack can be deadly.

And that’s good news for Giants fans, and Australian netball fans alike.

UNEEQ PALAVI – Melbourne Mavericks

It’s the signature netball fans around the world were crying out for – Uneeq Palavi in a full-time Super Netball deal.

After waiting in the wings at the Melbourne Mavericks – even knocking back rival training partner offers and UK interest, Palavi finally got a coveted full-time contract.

The talented Tongan goaler has already shown she can match it in Super Netball.

Now, she’ll get the chance to shine on a regular basis after serving as a replacement at both the NSW Swifts and Mavericks in back-to-back years.

“With Pav – I didn’t realise how young she was!” new Mavs recruit Jamie-Lee Price said.

“By the sounds of it from the Mavs girls, she has taken every opportunity with both hands from the moment she walked into the club.

“She’s worked really hard. She’s only going to get better – and I think looking from the outside, she’s willing to learn. She wants to play so badly! She’s really driven and that will only help our 10.”

Mavs captain Amy Parmenter was full of praise for her young teammate.

“I think for Pav, she absolutely has been good enough,” Parmenter said.

“I could not speak more highly of her character, she works so hard.

“She just brings so much off the court as well. The way she comes on and shoots the lights out, she’s an ice queen and just gets the job done.”

Like Diamonds star Sophie Garbin before her, Palavi had to work on her game at goal attack in a bid to maximise court time behind tall Jamaican Shimona Jok.

But with Reilley Batcheldor’s arrival, Palavi could see more supershot minutes at goal shooter as the Mavs chase their maiden finals appearance.

ZOE CRANSBERG – West Coast Fever

It will be a gamble by the Fever to run Zoe Cransberg as the permanent replacement player for injured Diamonds defender Sunday Aryang.

But now we wait and see if it pays off.

Aryang will miss the entire 2026 Super Netball season after her heartbreaking ACL tear in the final play of Australia’s Constellation Cup win over New Zealand last October.

And with Aryang’s talented sister Ruth still working her way back from her own long-term achilles injury suffered last April, the Fever will be tested defensively early in 2026.

Three-time Jill McIntosh Medallist Caitlyn Brown will serve as Ruth Aryang’s temporary replacement – but she’s played just one SSN game.

So that means Cransberg will have to work as a defensive midcourter to help fill that void.

But it’s a role Fever General Manager Sara Francis-Bayman believes Cransberg will excel at.

“Ever since Zoe arrived at Fever, we have all been impressed with what she brings to the club on and off the court. She is such a selfless, team-first player and she thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” she said.

“We all saw the composure and impact Zoe delivered on an SSN court in 2025 as our 11th Player. She built a strong connection with (twin sister) Jordan in the centre role, and we’re excited to see that combination continue into 2026.

“Zoe also provides excellent coverage at wing defence, which will be another valuable asset for us next season.”

GRACE WHYTE – NSW Swifts

For the Swifts to be successful in 2026, they’re going to need a back up attacker for the Grace Nweke-Helen Housby combo.

And that player will need to be young Grace Whyte.

In what is her first season as a full-time Swifts athlete, the 181cm Whyte has to stand tall as a goal attack option given the club said farewell to Sophie Fawns.

So all eyes will be on the 20-year-old.

But there’s no doubt if anyone can carry that pressure as a rookie – it’s Grace Whyte.

Whyte has already sacrificed so much to get to where she is now at the Swifts, having left her regional NSW home for boarding school in Year 9 while juggling both State netball and basketball commitments.

She’s been a National Netball Championships player of the tournament and grand final MVP as an U17s star, but it’s her willingness to do the work that’s impressed coach Briony Akle.

“For a player who is still so young, Grace is pretty fearless. In some huge games (in 2025), she ran our attack like a seasoned veteran and that is a sign of the maturity she already has,” Akle praised.

“Not only does she possess raw talent, she brings to the table a huge work ethic and willingness to learn.

“She is by no means the finished article and has a huge ceiling. Grace backs herself in big moments and you need players with that sort of courage to step up.”

Of course, Housby’s 2025 was exceptional – she led the competition for super shots (60) and super shot attempts (98), but was also top five for centre pass receives and top three for goal assists.

To sum it up, Housby does a MOUNTAIN of work out in front and from range – but she shouldn’t have to do it alone.

If Whyte can deliver as a legitimate back-up option at GA, Housby could drop into shooter for those precious super shot minutes or even head to the bench for a quick breather before re-entering the game.

But without Whyte in top form, that option evaporates for Akle and her coaching staff.

Add in the fact Whyte can now learn WA from ex-Silver Fern Gina Crampton who arrives as Paige Hadley’s maternity replacement, and there’s plenty to like about what the 20-year-old can achieve this year.

DONNELL WALLAM – Sunshine Coast Lightning

She’s the Diamonds invitee back in Super Netball after a year spent playing across the ditch.

Now Donnell Wallam is preparing to push her case for a return to Australian ranks after signing for the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Reunited with former Fever teammate Courtney Bruce, Wallam’s form will be crucial to the Lightning’s hopes in 2026.

The arrival of Wallam means we’re likely to see more of Diamonds goal shooter Cara Koenen out at goal attack, while new recruit Gabby Sinclair is also in the mix for the GA bib.

“Nelly obviously gives us a bit more of a holding shooter, and pushing Carsy out to goal attack – she’s an incredible goal attack,” Bruce told Fox Netball.

“She is so fit so she can run that out easily. And then with the flexibility of adding someone like Gabby Sinclair, can shoot the two pointers like there’s absolutely no tomorrow. I think it’s going to make our attacking end very dynamic – I think hard to scout because we have obvious the capacity to put Carsy back.”

Koenen herself was excited by what her partnership with Wallam could bring for the Lightning.

“I think she’s worked so hard to be able to get to where she is,” Koenen praised.

“To still get on the grind and head over to ANZ Champs, and although she missed a couple of games with injury – very, very unlucky – I think the recognition that she garnered over there is just testament to the quality player that she is.

“I hope that it’s familiar territory for her (back in QLD after playing for the Firebirds). It will be awesome to welcome her back into the fold in Queensland.

“In new Lightning colours, I think will be really exciting.”

And let’s not forget, Wallam isn’t your average holding goal shooter – she can be just as damaging in super shot period too.

ERIN O’BRIEN – Giants Netball

Young Giants defender Erin O’Brien enjoyed a breakout 2025 – so the question is … can she back up that form this season?

New Giants coach Nerida Stewart will certainly hope so.

O’Brien may have started last year predominantly at goal keeper due to a lack of defensive height in the Giants ranks – but once Kiwi great Casey Kopua arrived, it allowed O’Brien to push out to a move familiar GD … and that’s where she shone; finishing the year equal best for defensive rebounds and top five for both deflections and intercepts.

This year, she’ll have another Kiwi at her back – new recruit Jane Watson.

Ex-Silver Fern Watson will play a similar style to Kopua and back herself to fly at every opportunity.

And it was that style of play that saw O’Brien earn herself a Diamonds camp invitee opportunity at the end of 2025.

Giants star Sophie Dwyer believes Watson’s arrival will only continue the development of O’Brien and defensive midcourter Amy Sligar.

“When you speak to Amy or Erin out in front of Casey, the direction to just go knowing someone has your back was something they really felt with Casey,” Dwyer told Fox Netball.

“And just her netball brain, they would just pick at it and pick at it – it allowed them to flourish. Their second half of the season, both just did amazing.

“I think Jane can bring that similar sort of effect.

“I know the girls are really excited to play with her, and I’m really excited to have her on my team and train against her day in and day out.”

And defensively is where the Giants need to deliver if they are to return to finals – after coughing up the most goals last year, and the second-most in 2024.

TE PAEA SELBY-RICKIT – Queensland Firebirds

Will we finally see the answer to the Firebirds’ post-Gretel Bueta GA blues?

Plenty have tried. None have delivered the kind of success Bueta provided before leaving the game to raise her young family.

But the Kiri Wills-led Firebirds believe they’ve found their tall target in Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

The 33-year-old is no stranger to the big moments – having won gold as part of New Zealand’s 2019 World Cup squad and then bronze in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Now she touches down in Australia with success her sole focus.

“She’s a constant threat in the circle who combines court-craft and shooting accuracy to be a playmaker and scorer,” Wills praised.

And her 2025 stats back that up. Awarded the Julie Seymour Medal at her premiership-winning Tactix, Selby-Rickit had a year to remember.

She had almost 240 goal assists, more than 300 feeds, 255 centre pass receives and 141 goals to her name in a year that saw the Tactix break their title drought.

And she’s no stranger to being a leader in attack – something the Firebirds had missed as they tried to feed their 201cm Ugandan goal shooter Mary Cholhok.

Should Selby-Rickit find her groove with Cholhok, look out SSN defenders.

TARA HINCHLIFFE – Melbourne Mavericks

The Melbourne Mavericks will be hoping it’s new year, same Tara Hinchliffe when season 2026 rolls around.

The dogged defender is known for her tenacity and ability to read the play – but she was simply denied the court time to shine at the Sunshine Coast Lightning behind the likes of Diamonds goal keeper Courtney Bruce and rising star Ash Ervin.

Now with her feet firmly on the ground in Melbourne, a new home could do a world of good for Hinchliffe – and at a club that’s been screaming out for an experienced defender.

Mavericks general manager Shae Bolton-Brown even described Hinchliffe as the “anchor” for her defensive end.

Reunited with former Queensland pal Kim Brown (nee Jenner), Hinchliffe is set to marshall a Mavericks defence that has shown promise but not reliability.

“I had some chats with Kim about what it would look like to play together, we’re both really excited for what it could be because it felt so good playing together when we were younger,” Hinchliffe said.

And there’s little doubt Hinchliffe’s game can grow under Diamonds assistant/Mavs assistant Nicole Richardson’s watchful eyes.

The only downside remains the fact the club is yet to sign a 188cm+ defender to take on the competition’s goal shooting giants.

At 185cm, Hinchliffe joins 185cm Brown and young 185cm Jessie Grenvold in defence.

But that’s what will make the Mavs, and Hinchliffe in particular, someone to watch in 2026 – can they beat the taller shooters to break through for a maiden finals appearance?