Georgie Horjus has been crowned the Liz Ellis Diamond for 2026, capping a dominant night at the Australian Netball Awards in Melbourne on Friday evening.
The highest individual honour in Australian netball, Horjus’ win recognises an outstanding domestic season as co-captain of the Adelaide Thunderbirds and international season with the Australian Diamonds.
Playing a crucial role in the Thunderbirds’ third premiership in four years, Horjus led the league for goal assists (331), averaged 29 feeds per match, and shot at 88% accuracy when swung into goal attack across the season.
She carried that form into the international season, recording 309 feeds in the green and gold and delivering a player of the match performance in Wednesday’s 10-goal win over the Silver Ferns.
The dynamic 24-year-old also claimed the Australian International Player of the Year award, finishing ahead of Sophie Garbin (second) and Kate Moloney (third).
The same three athletes filled the podium for the Liz Ellis Diamond, with Garbin placing second and Moloney third.
Horjus was also named in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year in wing attack, alongside four of her Thunderbirds teammates.
“I didn't expect it at all, so it's a real honour. I think the little five-year-old girl that dreamed to be a Diamond one day would be pretty happy," Horjus said.
“It’s something I've never expected to win or never even thought about. I've always loved netball and I think I'm so lucky that I get to do it as my job – honestly, I did not expect it at all, so I think that's why I'm just so over the moon.”
Thunderbirds shooter Elmeré van der Berg was named the Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year, ahead of Jamie-Lee Price and Kate Heffernan. In her first season of Super Netball, the 25-year-old South African led the league for goals scored with 810 at 91% accuracy, and was also named in the Team of the Year.
“I feel extremely honoured and privileged to be able to win this award,” van der Berg said.
“I just want to thank everyone at the Adelaide Thunderbirds – the coaches, the players and all the staff – for backing and supporting me this year. I can’t wait to be back next year.”
The Joyce Brown OAM Coach of the Year was awarded to Adelaide Thunderbirds head coach Tania Obst, claiming her third national title and cementing a dynasty of club success.
The Suncorp Super Netball Rookie of the Year went to West Coast Fever defender Ruth Aryang, who returned from injury in Round 7 to add vital defensive depth in her 10 matches. Casey Adamson (GIANTS Netball) placed second and Nicola Barge (NSW Swifts) placed third.
The Super Netball Reserves Player of the Year was awarded to Eliza Burton from the QBE Swifts Academy, while the Dr Eve Fesl AM First Nations Black Swan Award was received by Victorian shooter Holly Stephens.
Kiera Austin was presented with the Nevett Ford Lawyers Heart of the Game Award, awarded to a player who embodies the spirit of the Australian Netball Players’ Association Manifesto, demonstrating exceptional commitment to netball, personal growth, community impact, and positive influence.
Jemma Cook was named the Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year, and Jessie Grenvold (Diamond #198) was congratulated on her international debut.
Cheryl Stevenson (née Sidebottom), Catherine Cox AM and Laura Geitz were formally recognised for their induction into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame in the Athlete category, and Ronda Kimble was honoured with the Netball Australia Service Award.
The 2026 Australian Netball Awards, presented by Visit Victoria, took place at Melbourne’s Encore St Kilda Beach.
2026 AUSTRALIAN NETBALL AWARDS – WINNERS
Liz Ellis Diamond
Winner: Georgie Horjus
Second place: Sophie Garbin
Third place: Kate Moloney
Australian International Player of the Year
Winner: Georgie Horjus
Second place: Sophie Garbin
Third place: Kate Moloney
SSN Player of the Year
Winner: Elmeré van der Berg
Second place: Jamie-Lee Price
Third place: Kate Heffernan
SSN Team of the Year
Goal Shooter – Elmeré van der Berg (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Goal Attack – Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball)
Wing Attack – Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Centre – Jamie-Lee Price (Melbourne Mavericks)
Wing Defence – Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Goal Defence – Fran Williams (West Coast Fever)
Goal Keeper – Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Substitutes
Attack – Shimona Nelson (Melbourne Mavericks)
Midcourt – Kate Heffernan (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Defence – Kelly Jackson (Queensland Firebirds)
SSN Rookie of the Year
Winner: Ruth Aryang (West Coast Fever)
Second place: Casey Adamson (GIANTS Netball)
Third place: Nicola Barge (NSW Swifts)
Joyce Brown OAM Coach of the Year
Tania Obst (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year
Jemma Cook (NSW)
Nevett Ford Lawyers Heart of the Game Award (ANPA)
Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens)
SN Reserves Player of the Year
Eliza Burton (QBE Swifts Academy)
Dr Eve Fesl AM First Nations Black Swan Award
Holly Stephens (VIC)
Diamonds Debutant
Jessie Grenvold (SA) – Diamond #198
Netball Australia Hall of Fame – Athlete Category
Cheryl Stevenson, née Sidebottom (WA)
Catherine Cox AM (NSW)
Laura Geitz (QLD)
Netball Australia Service Award
Ronda Kimble (NSW)
