By Sophie Taylor
It was a season to forget for the Sunshine Coast Lightning, who will be rueing missed opportunities after missing out on finals.
The Lightning showed glimpses of brilliance but were unable to stand up in the big moments despite the huge amount of potential the side possessed.
Finishing with seven wins and seven losses for the season, a tough run home left a finals berth all on the Lightning’s shoulders.
Despite having an impressive squad on paper, they struggled to gel in the tough moments and lacked potency at times during the season.
A smattering of injuries did not help their case as the odds of a finals chance got lower and lower.
Their challenging second half to the year all came down to the final match of the season, and with four points needed to make the post-season, it was too little too late for the Sunny Coast side.
BEST WIN
In a season where the Lightning really struggled to prove themselves, there were only a few matches that can take the ‘best win’ mantle.
Their Round 13 victory against the Swifts was a critical one in terms of their season, with the do-or-die clash set to change how finals shaped up.
While the Lightning didn’t make finals in the end, this win kept them in the running heading into their final match of the season and put another blemish on the Swifts’ season in the process.
Tara Hinchliffe was a consistent link in defence.Cara Koenen made her return from injury with aplomb, shooting 47 goals at 87 percent while Steph Fretwell contributed 12 and five Suncorp Super Shots (two in the last five minutes) to secure the win.
With the absence of Courtney Bruce looming over them, the Lightning were fired up in defence with both Tara Hinchliffe and Ash Ervin putting out excellent efforts.
Hinchliffe kept Helen Housby from going to post in an outstanding second half, and both players picked up two crucial gains apiece in a tough game for the defenders.
MVP
Lightning’s season MVP was tied between Steph Fretwell and Koenen, with both players showcasing some real dash and dare during the season.
Koenen’s improved composure and newfound willingness to shoot from range sneaks her over the line ever so slightly for us, though.
While she only played 11 matches for the season, Koenen’s slippery footwork outwitted her opposition on many an occasion.
Recognised as one of the best short-range goal shooters in the game, Koenen found confidence to shoot from range during 2025 to pull back margins quickly and effectively.
This worked in the Lightning’s favour too, credit to Fretwell’s long-range ability, enabling the side to claim come-from-behind victories in outstanding circumstances.
Koenen finished the season with 41 rebounds and 396 goals at 89 percent, including 13 Suncorp Super Shots from 19 attempts at 68 percent – a league high if you remove players with just one attempt to their name.
Steph Fretwell and Liz Watson's combination on the transverse line impressed throughout the season.2026
A flurry of changes greeted the Lightning over the signing period with four departures (Fretwell, Reilley Batcheldor, Hinchliffe and Kristiana Manu’a) opening up space for a whole new look in 2026.
Donnell Wallam makes her return to the league and will hope to lock up the starting goal shooter role alongside Cara Koenen, while Gabby Sinclair will add the flair they need out the front in the absence of Fretwell.
The main question hanging over head coach Belinda Reynolds’ head will be how she utilises all that goal shooter fire power.
Midcourter Ava Black returns to the main list after sitting on the sidelines during 2025 with an ACL tear, while the Lightning have also bolstered their defensive stocks with the addition of Kiwi Karin Burger.
Burger’s wingspan is nothing short of impressive, and her versatility bodes well to play both inside and outside the circle to provide a real impact alongside Bruce and Ervin.
