By Stephanie Smarrelli & Sophie Taylor
One win.
Countless lessons.
That's how Sophie Dwyer is choosing to remember the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season that has led her to a Commonwealth Games selection.
The GIANTS goaler arrives in Glasgow refusing to let the scoreboard define her season, instead focusing on the personal growth that’s shaped her.
At just 24, Dwyer is among the youngest members of the Australian Diamonds team, but she believes the challenges of the 2026 season have accelerated her growth as both a player and a leader.
“I had a lot of personal growth throughout the season,” Dwyer said.
“I improved my leadership and playmaking skills out on the court as well as what I could contribute to a team.
“Not having Jo Harten out there in the GIANTS environment really made me step up.
“While my season with the GIANTS didn’t have many wins, the silver lining is what I have taken on as an individual.”
That growth has already followed her into the Diamonds environment, where former rivals are now teammates chasing the same goal.
“It’s really exciting that I can bring those skills into the Diamonds,” she said.
“That’s the best bit about coming into the Diamonds, taking all the learnings from our seasons and bringing them together to create something special.”
Dwyer is taking the lessons from the 2026 SSN season and bringing them to the Diamonds.
“We’re no longer enemies.”
Despite the personal growth, selection for her first Commonwealth Games was never guaranteed.
After a challenging season with the GIANTS, Dwyer wasn't sure whether she'd done enough to earn her place on the plane to Glasgow.
Like many of her teammates, the moment she received the call was filled with emotion.
“After the season I had with GIANTS, there was a little bit of uncertainty in my mind around selection,” Dwyer said.
"My focus was always just performing for the GIANTS and letting the Diamonds take care of itself in the background.
“But there was a lot of relief when I found out I was going to be on the plane to Glasgow.”
That relief has gradually given way to excitement as the reality of a Commonwealth Games debut becomes clearer.
While pre-Games camp initially felt like any other Diamonds camp, the reality of representing Australia on one of the world's biggest sporting stages was beginning to hit home for Dwyer.
"Now that we're here and there's a lot of talk around the tournament style and all the other sports going to be there plus the promo shoots it feels extra special,” she said.
“This is something different to what I've done before, it’s a marquee event that has always been a dream and now it's going to become a reality.”
Before the news became public, Dwyer shared the moment with two people who had played a key role in her journey, former GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald and current coach Nerida Stewart.
"I knew Julie and Ned would be super excited for me,” she said.
Dwyer was relieved to get the good news from Diamonds' head coach Stacey Marinkovich.
“Julie was someone that has seen me in the SSN world since I was 18 and she gave me my shot at this level.
“I called Ned and her straight away and told them not to tell anyone as it was still confidential.”
Now, with selection behind her, the self-confessed "netty nerd" is embracing everything that comes with representing Australia.
“Having the other sports there will be really exciting because my time in the green and gold dress has just been for test series’,” she said.
"I haven't had that whole team Australia experience before.
“That's something I'm looking forward to...it’s the experience of a lifetime.”
When Dwyer finally walks onto court at the Hydro in Glasgow, for her Commonwealth Games debut, one message will remain front of mind.
“Stay present in the moment,” she said.
“It’s important not to get too caught up in a game and the result.
“I just need to focus on right now because it can become a bit overwhelming if I worry too much about the future and what's going to happen.
"Being a professional athlete is amazing, getting to play netball with your friends every day is incredible, it’s surreal that I get to do this so just staying present is a focus.”
The scoreboard may only remember one win from Dwyer's Suncorp Super Netball season.
But she hopes Glasgow remembers something else entirely, the player that season has helped her become.
