By Stephanie Smarrelli
Last season had it all, highs, lows, jaw dropping comebacks, twists and turns that kept everyone on the edge of their seats right until the premiers were crowned.
With Suncorp Super Netball entering season 10, this year promises to take it up a notch.
New coaches, new players, and new-look line-ups are just the tip of the iceberg.
This season will without a doubt deliver another rollercoaster from start to finish, so strap in as Round 1 begins this weekend.
While the Mavericks and GIANTS will begin proceedings in Bendigo it’s the second clash of the weekend you won’t want to miss.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds vs the NSW Swifts.
The TBirds and Swifts have become fierce rivals over the years and with both teams falling short of premiership glory in 2025, they’ll be back with a vengeance.
It was May when the sides last met, and they delivered a nailbiter with the Swifts taking the win by two goals.
The Thunderbirds fell to the Swifts the last time they met.
But plenty has changed since then.
The Thunderbirds have bolstered their list of international stars with the additions of South Africa’s Elmeré van der Berg and New Zealand Silver Fern Kate Heffernan.
Another major boost is the return of powerhouse defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who gave birth last year.
The Swifts also welcome back key personnel, with Maddy Proud returning after giving birth, alongside fellow mum Gina Crampton.
Also returning in the red dress is Tayla Fraser following a couple of years with the Melbourne Mavericks.
Both teams look refreshed and ready to fire.
While their midcourts will do a power of work and have experienced changes which could make or break their seasons it’s the goal circle where all eyes will be on Saturday night.
Grace Nweke and Helen Housby vs Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson.
All four players rank among the best in the world, but only one pairing will walk away with the win.
In Sterling-Humphrey's absence last year, Wilson didn’t miss a beat, she’s proved she’s a threat no matter who stands alongside her in defence.
The battle between Nweke and Sterling-Humphrey will be one to watch throughout the match.
The defender had eight deflections and three gains when the sides last went head-to-head adding to her season tally of 95 deflections and 77 gains, the highest across the league.
Wilson lined up against Nweke and held her own but expect Sterling-Humphrey to return to the GK bib throughout the contest.
At just 24, Nweke is already one of the league’s most dominant goalers, not afraid to put the ball up under pressure but she’ll be tested by the TBirds’ defence this weekend.
If there’s one thing the Thunderbirds’ are good at it’s confusing the space and Nweke will need to be at her best to help her teammates find the path to goal.
But she’ll be backed up by Helen Housby, one of the competition’s most dangerous goal attacks.
Housby nailed six Suncorp Super Shots the last time these sides met and finished 2025 with the most Super Shots in the league, lethal whenever she steps into the two-point zone.
At the other end, it’ll be Elmeré van der Berg under pressure to impress in her first SSN appearance.
The goaler joins the Thunderbirds following a standout season in the UK Netball Super League where she topped the charts for goals scored.
Van der Berg will provide a new target in the Thunderbirds' attack end.
But it won’t be easy against the experienced Swifts defensive unit of Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner and Teigan O’Shannassy. The trio combined for eight gains the last time they faced the Thunderbirds.
Van der Berg will have plenty of support in the circle, with premiership players Georgie Horjus and Lauren Frew likely to rotate through, while young gun Kayla Graham also provides an option for head coach Tania Obst.
The head-to-heads across the court will be tantalising to watch in this clash.
One match could be the difference between playing finals and missing out so both teams will be determined to win and start their seasons on the right foot.
REST OF THE ROUND
SSN’s 10th season begins with a road trip to Bendigo for the Melbourne Mavericks and GIANTS.
Both teams enter 2026 under new leadership and will be out to prove a point after missing finals last year.
There’s storylines across the court to keep an eye on from Jamie-Lee Price lining up against her old team to the GIANTS’ injection of New Zealand talent.
Then on Sunday the Melbourne Vixens will begin their premiership defence on the road.
The Vixens will begin their premiership defence up in Queensland.
With Di Honey stepping up into the role of head coach, she’ll have her first hit out against the Queensland Firebirds.
The Firebirds will be desperate to make their mark in 2026 following a season to forget in 2025 and who better to make a statement against than the reigning champs?
Round 1 will close in Perth, where the West Coast Fever host the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Fever’s RAC Arena is a volatile fortress for opposition teams, but Lighting will fancy their chances having only lost by two goals on their last trip west.
While Fever have been dealt a series of injury blows ahead of the season, they’ll be in the spotlight to see if they can still deliver and bounce back from grand final heartbreak.
The rollercoaster is about to begin, hold on tight.
Don’t miss a second of the action, tune in live or on demand on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and BINGE Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15.
