Talking points: Round 1

By Sophie Taylor

One round down, 13 to go.

A blockbuster opening round to the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season has set tongues wagging.

From milestone matches to club and league debutants, we run you through our top talking points.

OPENING ROUND A HUGE SUCCESS

Four action-packed matches opened the 2025 season with a bang during the weekend, with a record Round 1 crowd the cherry on top of a phenomenal opening round.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds started their new campaign where they left off in 2024, defeating the Melbourne Vixens in stunning fashion on Saturday night.

A 37-23 opening half told the tale of the grand final rematch, with Romelda Aiken-George starring to finish with 34 goals from 35 attempts despite an injury cloud following her during the preseason.

The T’Birds’ 13-goal victory was not the largest of the round though, with the NSW Swifts looking well-drilled as ever in a strong 18-goal win over West Coast Fever.

Unaccustomed to losing on home turf at RAC Arena, the Fever lacked potency while the Swifts settled into a new-look lineup with ease.

The Lightning cast aside their Mavericks curse to come up with their first win against the SSN’s newest club, steadily building on their lead throughout a hard-fought, physical battle.

The GIANTS could not shake off a slow start against the Firebirds, working their way back into the contest by half time but unable to take a win on their home court.

LIZZY HITS 150

Cool, calm and composed.

All words to describe Liz Watson on any occasion, and even more accurate in her 150th national league match.

Lizzy and the Lightning evaded a consistent Mavs fightback to come up the goods in her milestone match.

Having played much of her career at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena before moving north in 2024, Watson reflected on the moment.

“My first game was here, it’s all I’ve ever really known,” Watson said.

“I had lots of family and friends here in the crowd wanting to be here to support me which is really special.

“A few Vixens fans came out to support me too, I definitely felt the love from the Melbourne community.”

The Lightning speedster was undeniable in her milestone match, flying through the midcourt to pile on 25 goal assists from 44 circle feeds.

Up-and-coming superstars Hannah Mundy and Tayla Williams also marked milestones on the weekend, hitting 50 matches apiece.

DEBUTANTS STEP UP

Round 1 is synonymous with debutants, and this week was no different.

Grace Nweke was dominant in her official debut for the Swifts, piling on 51 goals at 88 percent accuracy while Firebirds recruits Mary Cholhok and Imogen Allison were similarly impressive.

Eighteen-year-old GIANTS recruit Hope White was the talk of the town after a stunning debut on Sunday afternoon, injecting excitement and speed into her side’s attack after a slow start.

Six players made their club debuts, headlined by Sasha Glasgow (Mavericks) who made a remarkable return from a horror injury during last year’s preseason.

Verity Simmons (Swifts) picked up where she left off prior to her retirement in 2023, while Mwai Kumwenda, Uneeq Palavi, Kristiana Manu’a and Sharni Lambden all flexed their muscles for their respective new clubs.

 Elsewhere, Maggie Caris picked off two intercepts in her 25 minutes on court, while Ashlee Barnett and Baylee Boyd had limited minutes on their maiden appearances.

ON THE STATS SHEET

Nweke’s 51 goals topped the stats sheet to open the season, with Cholhok’s 43 and Shimona Jok’s 37 following close behind.

Matisse Letherbarrow took her start with both hands to pile on 35 goals (fourth) and lead the Suncorp Super Shot stat at this early stage with six from 11 attempts.

Cholhok took the top spot for goal attempts (59) and offensive rebounds (11), while Ash Ervin leads a close defensive rebounding tally with four to Erin O’Brien, Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Teigan O’Shannassy’s three.

Watson was crafty as ever finishing up with 25 goal assists, while Mundy (19) and Georgie Horjus (18) were not far off.

Kiera Austin and Alice Teague-Neeld both collected 21 centre pass receives.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was prominent as ever with 10 deflections, while it’s a three-way tie for intercepts with Tara Hinchliffe, Amy Parmenter and O’Brien sitting on four apiece.