O’Brien’s next steps

By Sophie Taylor

Belief.

That’s what propels 21-year-old GIANTS defender Erin O’Brien forward.

And after earning her maiden contract for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season, the rangy young defender is out to show what she’s capable of in year two.

“If I get a crack against them, I want to make it hard for them,” O’Brien said.

Big words from a young defender, but fair enough after a challenging, albeitsolid, debut season.

Boasting long limbs, great timing and an excellent leap, O’Brien wants to take every opportunity that comes her way on court, even if it means she’s tasked with taking on some of the biggest stars of the game.

“My biggest motivator is the want to win,” O’Brien said.

“I want to try my best and put up a fight against them, give them a bit of a run for their money.

“Taking every opportunity, whether it's at training or in a game, always trying my best on the court.”

But chances to line up against some of the greatest goal shooters in the world do not come easy.

Teammates Jodi-Ann Ward and Tilly McDonell will likely get the start for the GIANTS opening fixtures, but O’Brien is adamant the work the GIANTS do as a unit will set them in good stead.

“Whenever I'm on the court as a defender, we have to win ball back. It's our job,” she said.

“Working as a unit, working as a defensive end, but also the whole team, we want to win ball for our team. We want to make it possible for our team to win.”

O’Brien’s drive and passion on the court comes from her junior days down at the local courts.

“My love for netball started, literally, when I started playing at about six years old,” O’Brien said.

“Growing up, my older sister played, my cousin played, my mum played.

“It was so much fun going to my local club, playing up to three games of netball a day on a Saturday.

“I just loved everything about the community, the teammates, the sausage sizzle after the game.”

What’s maintained her love of the sport? The support she’s had along the way from coaches and mentors alike.

“The team support that comes with netball is so special,” she said.

“I’ve had some coaches along the way who have been super influential, like my Under 12s Rep coach.

“She really instilled the faith in me that I can do it, if I really put my head down and try… she knew I could do some cool things.

“My coaches saw something in me I probably didn't see and gave me the confidence to put my name out there, trial for teams and have a really good go.”

From there, O’Brien has flourished.

Now the young defender gets to play and train alongside some of her netball idols.

“It's really cool getting to play with all your role models,” O’Brien said.

“I still do pinch myself after growing up watching people like Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price.

“To be in an environment with all those girls, and Julie (Fitzgerald) being the coach, to be able to have this as a job is so cool now I'm in the team with them.”

A training partner with the GIANTS for two seasons prior to being elevated, O’Brien already had some solid connections with players across the court.

That said, there’s no doubting the step up between the two roles.

“It’s definitely been a huge adjustment,” O’Brien said.

“As a training partner I was really lucky to get some opportunities in preseason, so I got a little glimpse into what it was like.

“Last year, getting the full-time contract, it's just so different because you're fully immersed in the team.

“It was a big step up with more expectations on yourself, for myself.”

Those expectations could have weighed O’Brien down, but instead she has used those expectations, on both herself and the team, who finished as wooden spooners in 2024, to develop her skillset ahead of a fresh season.

“We obviously weren't happy with how we performed, no one wants to come last,” she said.

“It was a very, very tough year, both mentally and on the court, but I think if anything, it's made us so much stronger.”

Tough debut seasons lead to some tough lessons but inevitably make developing players like O’Brien stronger in the long run.

“The biggest lesson I learned was that every time I get on the court, I need to make it count for the team and for myself,” she said.

“I'm hungry to win ball, I'll have a go at everything and try and make it as hard as I can.”

Her ins and outs for 2025? All to do with mindset.

“My ins would be positivity and having a go, an out would be overthinking,” O’Brien explained.

To sum up her first season O’Brien needed just one word.

“Can I say grateful? Yeah, I'm super grateful for my first season being contracted,” she said.

“I've obviously got a lot of work to do, but just getting my first year out of the way, I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”