2025 season review: Firebirds

By Sophie Taylor

It was a year to forget for the Queensland Firebirds, who struggled to really make a dint throughout a challenging 2025 season.

Stacked with talent but suffering from an inability to win, the Firebirds had more lows than highs with mid-season injuries forcing continuous changes to a once stable lineup.

Head coach Kiri Wills came in with a point to prove after some troubling seasons for the team in purple.

Back-to-back wins to start the season rocketed the Firebirds to the top of the ladder nice and early and it seemed like their fortunes had turned around.

But things did not go back up from there, with the Firebirds then on a steady decline  before eventually falling to eighth in Round 10, where they remained until the end of the season.

BEST WIN

The Firebirds only claimed two wins in 2025, with the ‘best win’ accolade going to their Round 2 clash with the West Coast Fever.

That was the last loss the Fever suffered for the season, with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard back in action the following week, and the Firebirds did not make the clash an easy one.

A huge 39-26 opening half well and truly set up the 13-goal victory, with accuracy playing a massive role in the 15 and three gains from Isabelle Shearer crucial in the second quarter.

Mary Cholhok was kept to seven goals per quarter in the second half as Fever mounted a comeback, but it was too little too late after monster efforts from the goal shooter early.

Lara Dunkley and Macy Gardner were fearless on the feed with 16 and 17 goal assists respectively, while Shearer finished with three intercepts and five deflections to Ruby Bakewell-Doran’s two and four.

Credit must also go to the Firebirds’ Round 14 clash with the Swifts, which was a credit to their do-or-die attitude forcing the finals-bound Swifts into extra time.

While that result may not have gone the Firebirds’ way in the end, it showcased what the season meant to the purple outfit and had tongues wagging at what could have been if only they got their act together earlier.

MVP

The Firebirds’ season MVPs can be narrowed down to a key figure at each end.

Cholhok is a worthy shout for her first SSN season, with the towering Ugandan superstar a key figure at the post for the Firebirds.

Her strong hold and great stature allowed early vision into the goal circle, though feeding woes proved an issue for the Queensland side.

No, MVP accolades must go to Bakewell-Doran, who held strong to lead a very young and inexperienced defensive end.

Bakewell-Doran’s ability to disrupt play forces errors from her opposition, while her transitional work down court was crucial to the Firebirds’ flow into attack.

She averaged an intercept and two deflections per match in a reflection of the Firebirds’ woes, but continuously held her head high to finish the season in strong form.

2026

The Firebirds have opted to refresh their lineup in 2025, with head coach Kiri Wills changing out a player from each third for a New Zealand talent.

Wills has added more height to her attack line, with goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit coming across from ANZ Premiership side Mainland Tactix.

The 188cm goal attack will provide a handy accompaniment to Cholhok and Moore to post while also adding height across the transverse line.

Maddy Gordon will add an extra burst of speed and finesse to the Firebirds midcourt, especially beneficial with her versatility to play across all three midcourt positions.

Kelly Jackson will add great experience to the Firebirds defence, with her rangy arms able to reel in plenty of turnover ball.

The question mark hanging over the side is whether these robust changes will be able to click on court, especially after a challenging 2025 season where gelling proved a crucial issue.