Can the Firebirds upset the champs?

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

Round 1 is poised to deliver fireworks from the first whistle.

And one of the headline matches will be the Queensland Firebirds vs the Melbourne Vixens. 

Fans of international netty, this is one to clash to put straight into your calendar. 

The Origin Diamonds stacked Vixens are fresh off a premiership while the Firebirds have been bolstered by international talent and are hungry for success.

Stars across both teams will be relishing the opportunity to take on their international opponents especially with the Commonwealth Games awaiting many of them at season’s end.

While the Vixens came out on top both times in 2025, the Firebirds will be confident after only going down by two in their last meeting.

And with new recruits across the court, the Firebirds have plenty of potential to be the real deal in 2026. 

Maddy Gordon will bring extra grit and agility to their midcourt, setting up a thrilling clash with Vixen Kate Moloney in Round 1.

The two went head-to-head throughout the recent Constellation Cup, putting on one of the battles of the series.

Moloney finished the Constellation Cup with 126 feeds and 67 goal assists, while Gordon tallied 101 feeds and 70 goal assists.

There’s no doubt they’ll bring that same level of intensity when they meet at Nissan Arena on March 15. 

Imogen Allison is another midcourter to keep an eye on. In Round 1, fans will get a glimpse of how good the England Rose and Silver Fern’s partnership can work in the Firebirds’ midcourt.

On the flipside, Hannah Mundy who made her debut for the Diamonds in 2025 will be raring to go having sat on the sidelines the last time the two teams met.

In the goal circle all eyes will be on Kelly Jackson vs Sophie Garbin.

Jackson is one of the world’s most prolific defenders and Garbin has become the Diamonds go-to in the goal circle.
 
They put on a spectacle throughout the Constellation Cup and will be one of the key match ups to watch throughout the SSN season.

Jackson tallied nine deflections, seven rebounds and two intercepts while Garbin backed up a strong SSN season with 132 goals at 88 per cent accuracy.

Across New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership in 2025, Jackson was a standout with 62 deflections, 20 rebounds and 21 intercepts. 

Her wealth of experience will bring a much-needed boost to the Firebirds defensive end and should have the Vixens wary ahead of Round 1.

For the Vixens’ Kiera Austin has become the side’s barometer. The Grand Final MVP has what it takes to seal victory when the going gets tough and will be target number one for the Firebirds to shut down.

Down the other end of the court, the Vixens defence will have their hands full with Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Mary Cholhok.

A former Silver Fern, Selby-Rickit has plenty of flair and the confidence to go for the long bombs.

While Uganda’s star Mary Cholhok is set to ignite alongside her with a season of SSN under her belt.

The two internationals threaten to be a dangerous combination in the goal circle.

Up against them the Vixens could throw Emily Mannix into the mix as she’s expected to make her return following the birth of her daughter.

At her best Mannix is a gamechanger and her connection to Jo Weston will be key to the Vixens defence against the Firebirds.

Rudi Ellis and Kate Eddy are also integral to the Vixens defensive unit, their pressure is unrelenting and will push the Firebirds every step of the way.

While the Firebirds are stacked with international talent, the Aussies ebbed throughout their line-up will be just as important to how Round 1 plays out.

Emily Moore’s craft is continuing to build with 186 goals including 32 Suncorp Super Shots in 2025.

Her speed and ability to find space in the goal circle will be a spark the Vixens need to snuff out in Round 1.

Then there’s captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran who is no stranger to going into battle against Austin.

Alongside her, young gun Isabelle Shearer is a breath of fresh air and knows when to disrupt a pass. 

And you can’t forget Lara Dunkley and Macy Gardner who have been rocks in the midcourt.

With so many options, it’ll be interesting to see how head coach Kiri Wills chooses her first starting seven of the year.

Up against the Vixens, who are likely to be one of the league’s toughest opponents again in 2026. 

No matter which way the match goes, the two sides will then face each other again in Round 9.

A match up that promises to be even more thrilling once both teams have found their flow ahead of finals.