Chatfield’s say on SSN signings

By Matt Fotia  

The 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Signing Window was the biggest in recent memory, with a massive influx of high-level international talent all setting their sights on playing in the World’s Best Netball League next year. 

The relaxation of Netball New Zealand’s controversial eligibility rule, accompanied by the ever-growing globalisation of the sport and the departure of some key names like Romelda Aiken-George and Jo Harten, has meant there will be some fresh faces hitting the court next season. 

Netball.com.au recently sat down with Fox Netball commentator, former Melbourne Vixen and Australian Diamonds’ champion defender Bianca Chatfield to get her thoughts on the eight biggest signings of the window. 

Elmere van der Berg 

The Thunderbirds will have a new look goaling circle in 2026, after they replaced the outgoing Romelda Aiken-George (retired) and Lucy Austin (GIANTS) with highly rated South African, Elmere van der Berg. 

Van der Berg has recently plied her trade with the Manchester Thunder in the UK’s Netball Super League, where she shot more than 1000 goals in her two seasons with the Lancashire club.  

Chatfield is confident the South African will benefit hugely from the move to Australian shores. 

“The move is going to be great for her game and her development, to be out here and playing against the physicality of the SSN defenders, is only going to help her (game),” Chatfield stated. 

“I know she’s been on the radar of other clubs as well in the past.  

“People got a chance to see what she could do at the World Cup and Norma Plummer has connections with South Africa and has been sprouting her name and talking about what her possibilities are. 

“She can play the holding game well and she’ll get to train on Shamera and Latayna, which is only going to help her game when she steps out on court.” 

Despite standing at 191cm, Van Der Berg has proven herself to be a threat from long range, finishing the 2025 NSL season with 83 successful super shots to her name. 

Her likely combination with fellow long range sharpshooter Lauren Frew could see a shift in the way the Thunderbirds look to capitalise on their defensive gains in 2026. 

“It’s going to be a big challenge to step into the Thunderbirds line-up, but what we know about the Thunderbirds is they get ball, so there will be plenty of opportunities to make the most of it,” Chatfield said. 

“I also think it’s a big opportunity for Lauren Frew to take on a bit more of a leadership role and be the one directing play in the goal circle.” 

Kate Heffernan 

Van Der Berg wasn’t the only big signing for the Thunderbirds, with the South Australians also luring versatile midcourter Kate Heffernan to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for 2026, the perfect replacement for the retired Hannah Petty according to Chatfield. 

“The versatility is something which is going to be such an asset for the Thunderbirds,” Chatfield explained. 

"I think what where will see her is in the role Hannah Petty played, being able to be a centre and wing defence, moving around with Tayla Williams, is where we are going to see Heffernan really cement herself. 

 

 

 

“Those two (Williams and Heffernan) can really lock down the back end of the midcourt, which gives them stability should they want to make changes in the defensive circle.” 

Heffernan won’t just be a defensive weapon for the Thunderbirds though. 

“It's her transition down the court as well,” Chatfield said.  

“She’s strong, with steady hands, and she’s powerful, so she will be able to land on the transverse line and be another feeding option into the midcourters and into the circle.” 

Karin Burger  

Heffernan isn’t the only Swiss-army knife making the move across the ditch, with Silver Ferns teammate Karin Burger also making the switch, joining the Sunshine Coast Lightning following a premiership with the Tactix in 2025. 

Burger, who can play all three defensive positions, will add on court intensity and pressure to the Lightning’s already stacked defensive end. 

“She adds that mental pressure you need to be able to put on,” Chatfield stated. 

“It is just as important as the physical pressure, getting inside a shooter’s or an attacker's head and putting doubt in their minds.  

“She does it really well.” 

The experienced international defender will likely line up at goal defence for the Lightning but will offer Belinda Reynolds plenty of flexibility which could create some headaches. 

“I think Burger comes across as a goal defence / wing defence and she’ll move between both depending on what they need on court, for example if it’s a shorter shooting circle, then could put Bruce and Burger in the circle together,” Chatfield explained. 

“If they can make it work, it’ll be great, but there are some big decisions to be made by players at the end of 2026. 

“Someone like an Ash Ervin needs to be on court all the time as a goal keeper, and if she gets limited court time next season, then I can see her probably moving elsewhere.” 

Whitney Souness 

The GIANTS were one of the big stories during the signing window, following the retirement of head coach Julie Fitzgerald, goaler Jo Harten and the departure of midcourter Jamie-Lee Price. 

New coach Nerida Stewart has turned to creative and experienced playmaker Whitney Souness to fill one half of the leadership void, a shrewd piece of business according to Chatfield. 

“The GIANTS needed to get an experienced midcourter after the loss of JLP (Jamie-Lee Price),” Chatfield stated. 

“It’s very smart to have someone like Whitney who players like Amy Sligar can learn from and add something different to her game.” 

Souness’ willingness to take on passes others won't, is something Chatfield is keen to keep an eye on in 2026. 

If you’re a midcourter that (playmaking) is what you want to do and it’s what Whitney, I think, will love to step into and take the opportunity,” Chatfield said. 

“It’ll be interesting to see her feed against Australian one-on-one style defence, because obviously she’s used to feeding against a zone defence where you can put the ball into different spots, and I think it will take her a little while to get accustomed to that.” 

Jane Watson 

Souness will be joined at the GIANTS by circle defender Jane Watson, who arrives at the club fresh off winning the 2025 ANZ Premiership with the Tactix, alongside Lightning signing Karin Burger. 

A strong leader with a storied career at the top of the game, Watson will fill the role vacated by replacement player Casey Kopua at the end of 2025. 

Chatfield is excited to see Watson take on the world’s best in 2026 and believes she will provide young teammate Erin O’Brien the perfect platform to succeed in goal defence. 

“When you see her, she takes up a lot of space,” Chatfield explained. 

“She's got broad swimming shoulders and has an amazing arm span, so she takes up a lot of space in the circle and is really threatening over the shot. 

“They would’ve been thinking about what Casey did, and I think Erin O’Brien has already shown what she can do at goal defence and is probably better in that position than what she is at goal keeper. 

“Plus, Jane will get ball; she will come out into the pockets and cause a bit of havoc.” 

Maddy Gordon 

Many expected the Queensland Firebirds to add some kiwi flavour to their line-up this signing window, given coach Kiri Wills’ history, the struggling club did just that, signing three current or former Silver Ferns for season 2026. 

Midcourter Maddy Gordon is the youngest of three, aged just 25, signing with the Firebirds after several successful years with the Pulse in the ANZ Premiership. 

Chatfield is intrigued by how Wills plans to get the most out of Gordon, who will likely play the centre position, given Imogen Allison’s commitment to the club. 

 

 

“This is where I’m really interested in what Kiri Wills does in terms of her coaching style,” Chatfield said. 

“Whether she edges more towards what New Zealand sides usually do, because that is going to help the likes of Maddy, I think, playing a more New Zealand structure. 

“I feel like the Firebirds just weren’t sure what they were doing this year.  

“They kept chopping and changing and it’s not fair on the athletes as to how they grow their own game. 

“So however they want to fit in Gordon and Allison, I just want them to give them a lot of time to work together.” 

Te Paea Selby-Rickit 

The signing of former Silver Fern, Selby-Rickit, is another important one according to Chatfield, who believes the World Cup winning goaler will play a key role as an impact player for Kiri Wills’ side. 

“She’s strong, tall and can play both shooter and goal attack,” Chatfield stated. 

“She’s obviously not as fast as what we would see with some of the other smaller goal attacks going around, but she’ll be great in terms of giving them (the Firebirds) another rebound option, and she’s not afraid of a long shot either. 

“It’ll be an interesting set-up to see how they best utilise her, but potentially if it’s not working with Cholhok you can put her on and she can be your holding shooter. 

“I see her being someone who comes off the bench and providing whatever they need, whenever they need it.” 

Kelly Jackson 

The final piece of the Firebirds puzzle is arguably the signing of the window, with Kelly Jackson joining the club for the 2026 season. 

One of the best defenders in the world, Jackson stands at 192cm and is known for her calm demeanour, strong rebounding ability and ever-present pressure over the shot. 

“She’s intimidating,” Chatfield exclaimed. 

“She pressures the shot, she makes shooters second guess what they’re doing, and she has a fly at the ball in that New Zealand style of coming out to the pocket ball. 

“Plus, she adds some more versatility because she can play both goal defence and goal keeper. 

“I’m excited to see what she can do in a different structure, and alongside the likes of Ruby Bakewell-Doran, because I think they will form a great combination.” 

Jackson’s signing won’t just help Bakewell-Doran on court according to Chatfield, who believes the addition of the long-limbed Kiwi will help take some of the mental load off the shoulders of the young Firebirds captain and allow her to get back to her best. 

“It’s very smart of Kiri to take pressure off players who don’t need extra pressure right now and allow them to find their rhythm, because I don’t think Ruby has really found that in the last few years because of the tumultuous environment,” Chatfield said. 

“I don’t know how the leadership role sits with Ruby. 

“Not everyone thrives in it and sometimes it’s more of a burden than players need. 

“So, I think having someone like Jackson alongside her, might take some pressure off her and allow her to play her normal game, the game that got her into the Diamonds squad not too long ago.”