McMeniman to call it quits after Kiwi seriesDIAMONDS acting skipper Clare McMeniman will officially retire after leading Australia in next month’s four-Test Constellation Cup series against New Zealand
Firebirds to keep squad coreTHE Firebirds have conceded defeat in the race for star centre Kim Ravaillion but remain confident of keeping a majority of their championship-winning squad intact.
Pay deal rewards netball top gunsNETBALL Australia says its landmark pay deal reinforces the sport’s status as the leading female sports code in the country.
Robinson departs Vixens with heavy heartMIDCOURT star Madi Robinson said it was tough to leave Melbourne Vixens, but she has no regrets.
Netball trumps AFL as wage war heats upAUSTRALIAN netballers are in the money with a new pay deal dwarfing contracts offered in the new women’s AFL competition.
Diamonds changes for Silver Ferns rematchCHANGES have been made to the Diamonds as coach Lisa Alexander prepares for a New Zealand backlash in Sydney.
Weston, Tippett come in for DiamondsAUSTRALIA will make just two changes to its line-up for next month’s Constellation Cup, with Jo Weston and Gretel Tippett earning call-ups.
International flavour for T-BirdsENGLISH import Jade Clarke soon will be joined by Jamaican captain Malysha Kelly in the Adelaide Thunderbirds team for the new national netball league.
Geitz joins new Diamonds clubLISA Alexander has lost almost an entire team to a Diamonds baby boom with captain Laura Geitz the latest to hit the sidelines as an expectant mum.
Diamonds edge Ferns to take Quad SeriesAUSTRALIA have added the Netball Quad Series trophy to their bulging cabinet after holding off New Zealand 60-55 in the thrilling decider in Melbourne.
Young Diamonds face test of mettleAUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander has made the startling admission New Zealand should be considered favourites ahead today’s netball Test.
Madi’s message for Diamonds ahead of deciderMIDCOURT star Madi Robinson says the Diamonds must work harder together if they are to seal a quad series victory against arch rival New Zealand.
Exposure polishes Diamond WatsonMELBOURNE Vixens midcourter Liz Watson says her international exposure is bringing out the best in her game as she prepares to hit the court for the Diamonds on Sunday.
Vixens poised to overlook BaileyMELBOURNE Vixens’ attack is set to have a different look next season with experienced goaler Karyn Bailey looking for a new club for the start of the new national netball league.
Australian Diamonds thump England RosesTHE Australian Diamonds have made it two from two in the quad series, handing the England Roses a hammering in Adelaide.
Diamond back in from the coldWHEN Diamonds midcourter Madi Robinson earned MVP honours on return from almost two years in the international wilderness she completed one of netball’s great comebacks.
Netball knocks rule change on headA CONTROVERSIAL rule to reward shooters with two-point shots from a special zone has been ruled out for the 2017 national netball league.
Manu’a always a Diamond at heartHOW appropriate that promising defender Kristiana Manu'a should make her debut for the Australian Diamonds in New Zealand — she had the choice of playing for each.
Netball audition for top gunsAUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander says the Quad international netball series is a real time job audition for the new national netball league which will debut in February.
Diamonds debutants give polished performanceKRISTIANA Manu’a described it as “awesome” and Steph Wood as “cool” as they made their Diamonds debut in Australia’s first outing of the netball Quad series.
Diamonds make perfect startA dominant offensive display from Diamonds shooters Caitlin Bassett and Caitlin Thwaites has led Australia to a 68-43 win over South Africa.
Storm brewing on Sunshine CoastSUNSHINE Coast Lightning coach Noeline Taurua has lofty first-year ambitions, a recruiting hit-list and a desire to go head-to-head with new derby rival, the Firebirds.
T-birds won’t swap to Crows’ nestThe AFL will struggle to convince any Adelaide Thunderbirds to switch sporting allegiance and play in the new women’s football league.
Fever midcourter gets talent camp inviteWEST Coast Fever’s Verity Simmons has been rewarded for a stellar season with an invite for Netball Australia’s Fast5 and Emerging Talent Camp this month.
Robinson crowned top VixenMELBOURNE Vixens captain Madi Robinson received more recognition for her stunning return from injury in 2016 after claiming her second Sharelle McMahon medal last night.
Aiken named Firebirds Player of the YearROMELDA Aiken may have endured a rollercoaster grand final but her excellence throughout the season was rewarded with the Firebirds 2016 Player of the Year award.
Silver Ferns star snares NSW Swifts MVPIT’S about the only time Australian netballer Sharni Layton doesn’t mind being beaten by a New Zealander.
Nevins joins Diamonds’ Bird brigadeDIAMONDS debutant Caitlyn Nevins says her elevation to the Australian squad is all the more special because she will be surrounded by Firebirds teammates.
Excited Madi to rejoin DiamondsMIDCOURT star Madi Robinson admits she felt relieved when she was named in the Australian team after her “long wait” to rejoin the Diamonds’ fold.
Firebirds’ party remains in full swingWELL that was quite an emotional and physical rollercoaster, wasn’t it. And the crazy ride has not stopped. Laura Geitz reflects on the Firebirds’ epic grand final win.
Pies cast talent net far and wideNEW Collingwood coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell says the club will scour the country for the best players for its start-up side, including those on rivals Melbourne Vixens’ list.
Keep your hands off our game: JenckeTRIPLE championship-winning Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke has a message for the architects of Australia’s new national netball competition — hands off our game.
Pies poised to swoop on FirebirdsSUPERCLUB Collingwood are set to launch a poaching raid on Firebirds’ stars Gretel Tippett, Kim Ravaillion and captain Laura Geitz.
Taurua set to coach Storm’s netball teamMELBOURNE Storm is expected to announce on Tuesday that leading New Zealand mentor Noeline Taurua will be the inaugural coach of its Queensland-based netball team.
‘The worst game I’ve ever played in netball’MEMORIES of the seesawing grand final against the Swifts, which ended in a Firebirds victory, were bitter sweet for star shooter Romelda Aiken.
Coach praises Aiken’s tenacityFIREBIRDS coach Roselee Jencke says Romelda Aiken showed the heart of a champion to bury crippling shooting “yips” and deliver when it mattered most.
Nervous moments but Aiken deliversWITH the clock counting down - four seconds, three, two - Romelda Aiken gazed at the goal ring and let the ball go.
In the end, Firebirds kept the faithFAITH in each other was the key to the Firebirds’ dramatic title defence but when victory finally came, Kim Ravaillion still couldn’t believe it.
Firebirds go back-to-back in double over-time epicTHE Queensland Firebirds have etched their name into the annals of trans-Tasman netball history, holding on for a thrilling sudden-death extra-time win.
Firebirds sink Swifts in epic grand finalTHE sequel was better than the original as the Queensland Firebirds defeated the NSW Swifts in double over-time to win the 2016 ANZ Championship grand final.
Swifts-Firebirds rivals great AFL showdownsTHE rivalry between the NSW Swifts and Queensland Firebirds reminds Kelli Underwood of the unforgettable Swans-Eagles AFL grand final showdowns.
The rev-up that inspired fairytale win“JUST shoot it’’. They are the words that rang in the ears of Firebirds goal attack Gretel Tippett with 14 seconds left in last year’s ANZ Championship grand final.
Firebirds to unleash ‘Super Seven’IT will be a showdown between the Firebirds’ “Super Seven” and the substitute-swinging Swifts when the two powerhouses clash in the 2016 grand final.
Netball goes on the offensiveTHE new netball league was born from necessity after the Big Bash and women’s soccer went from strength-to-strength last year, writes Kelli Underwood.
Swifts sense something specialON paper everything is against the NSW Swifts heading into the last ever ANZ Championship grand final but co-captain Kim Green still can’t wipe the smile off her face.
The Originals grin as Firebirds hunt recordTHE Firebirds “Originals’’ have their eyes firmly on the ANZ Championship prize and a special place in history.
Swifts stars pushing the boundariesTHEY are the NSW Swifts’ bookends — one of the most prolific shooters in the game, and the woman charged with menacing every other goalscorer in domestic and international netball.
Rivals plan Grand larceny on FirebirdsTHE Firebirds are ready to repel recruiting raids on their star-studded side less than 24 hours after Sunday’s ANZ Championship grand final against the Swifts.
NSW Swifts’ secret motivationCOACH Rob Wright has finally revealed the motivation behind the Swifts charge to the grand final and says it wasn’t the upset of their one-goal loss in the decider a year ago.
Vixens champion to advise MagpiesFORMER Melbourne Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield will play a key role in shaping the roster for Collingwood’s new netball team.
Treading a fine line ahead of GFTHIS Sunday’s ANZ Championship grand final is not about me. It’s about an amazing group of people trying to achieve amazing things.
Firebirds soar to even greater heightsGABI Simpson is tipping a stronger, wiser, more confident Firebirds line-up to defend their ANZ Championship title in a grand final rematch with the Swifts.
Nevins breaking new ground with FirebirdsIF the Firebirds can score their second straight title over the Swifts, Caitlyn Nevins will break new ground by capturing her third title in three years.
Jencke expects a grand final rematchFIREBIRDS coach Roselee Jencke expects to meet archrival NSW Swifts in the ANZ Championship grand final this Sunday.
Firebirds top Steel, into netball deciderTHE Queensland Firebirds have won their way into the ANZ Championship grand final with a thrilling three-goal win over the Southern Steel in today’s semi final.
Netball finals: Crunch time for Swifts, FirebirdsIT’s do-or-die netball fans. Two teams will be eliminated from the ANZ Championship this weekend. Here’s our ultimate guide to the finals series.
Tippett shapes as matchwinner for FirebirdsFIREBIRDS goal attack Gretel Tippett looms large as the potential match-winner for the defending champions when they take on Southern Steel in Sunday’s ANZ Championship grand final qualifier.
Coach bracing for Swifts to take flightLIKE any coach with a team of talent, NSW Swifts coach Rob Wright’s goal is to keep his core players together next season.
Geitz: This time it will be differentNOBODY at the Firebirds has forgotten how we embarrassed ourselves the last time we played the Southern Steel.
NSW Swifts prepared for Magic tricksTHE NSW Swifts have already begun the process of plotting the downfall of their old rivals Magic in the ANZ semi-final
Firebirds claim ‘Origin’ decider over SwiftsTHE Firebirds are 60 minutes away from their fourth-straight grand final after claiming a 63-52 victory over the Swifts in the Australian Conference decider.
Swifts don’t follow Origin scriptTHERE was no last-minute game changer as there was in the other Origin III. No fairytale end to a nine-year losing run as the Swifts bowed out of the finals against the Firebirds.
’Birds primed to stay perfect against SwiftsBRISBANE has been the uncrossed line in the pine for the NSW Swifts and the Firebirds plan to keep it that way in Monday’s Australian Conference final.
Swifts motivated to create historyNSW Swifts must rewrite history against Queensland Firebirds to create netball history in ANZ Championship.
AFL may be in netballer’s futureA NEW sporting challenge could be in the future of NSW Swifts import Laura Langman post her netball career.
It’s about skills, not gender, says T-birds bossBEING a male coach at the elite level of a female-dominated sport such as netball is not something new Thunderbirds coach Dan Ryan dwells on. It’s lifting his team up the ladder that’s consuming his thoughts.
Turtle blooms into Daddy’s little lionTHE Firebirds’ “Little Lion’’ is ready to roar in Monday night’s ANZ Championship Australian Conference final against the NSW Swifts at Boondall.
Aiken aims for Swift revengeFIREBIRDS star Romelda Aiken says her very best is yet to come and plans to dig into bag of tricks against the Swifts in the Australian Conference final.
Magpies court veteran coach Keppich-BirrellCOLLINGWOOD is closing in on a coaching appointment for its new netball team with Kristy Keppich-Birrell believed to be a frontrunner for the role.
Swifts loss a ‘kick up the bum’ for FirebirdsFIREBIRDS captain Laura Geitz said arch-rival NSW Swifts did the defending champions a favour by giving them a timely “kick up the bum’’ mid-season.
Pies go fishing for big ’C-Bass’THE wooing of Australia’s top netballers for the new national league’s expansion teams has started with star goaler Caitlin Bassett spotted at Collingwood yesterday.
Green pain-free ahead of netball rematchNETBALLER Kim Green has declared her body as strong as her will to win ahead of the NSW Swifts battle with the Queensland Firebirds in the Australian conference final on Monday.
Madi thrilled with MVP awardMELBOURNE Vixens captain Madi Robinson says she is “completely chuffed” to be named the Australian conference season MVP.
Firebirds will take simple approachTWO major hurdles stand between the Firebirds and victory in the ANZ Championship’s Australian Conference final against the NSW Swifts on Monday night.
It’s official: Dan’s man for T-birdsFORMER Adelaide Thunderbirds assistant Dan Ryan will take over as the club’s next coach, just 12 months after being devastated when overlooked for the job.
NSW Swifts ready for Firebirds rematchTHE performance of their season has fired the NSW Swifts into the Australian conference final against the Queensland Firebirds and provided a much-needed shot of confidence to the side.
No rest for Firebirds ahead of finalTHE Firebirds earned a rest in the first week of finals but opted to have a full-scale, full-throttle practice match at Nathan to stay sharp ahead of next week’s Australian Conference final at Boondall.
NSW Swifts into conference finalLETHAL Swifts sharpshooters Caitlin Thwaites and Susan Pratley have fired the NSW team into the Australian conference finals against the Queensland Firebirds.
Vixens’ Swift exit from finalsTHE Melbourne Vixens have been bundled out of the ANZ Championship finals in emphatic fashion by the New South Wales Swifts.
Vixens’ swift rise sees rookies take the leadVIXENS youngsters Emma Ryde and Alice Teague-Neeld head up their team’s callow attack for Sunday’s conference elimination final against NSW Swifts.
Third time lucky for Vixens against Swifts?VIXENS vice-captain Kate Moloney says the knocks her team has overcome this year have fuelled the players’ belief they can conquer any side ahead of their sudden death final against the Swifts.
T-bird saluted as Brice age dawnsTHE emergence of Adelaide Thunderbirds’ Kristina Brice as a high quality goal shooter has been further recognised with her naming as the ANZ Championship’s best new talent for this season.
Thunderbirds close to naming coachTHE coach to take the Adelaide Thunderbirds into a new era has been determined and is expected to be named soon.
Diamonds coach: Aussies simply betterDiamonds coach Lisa Alexander says she is going to back in Australian players to fill lists in the new national netball league after Netball Australia’s decision to allow unlimited imports.
Vixens have ‘belief, talent to win title’CAPTAIN Madi Robinson says the Melbourne Vixens will revel in their underdogs status for Sunday’s conference elimination final against the Swifts.
Open slather as import limit liftsNETBALL Australia is preparing for a backlash from fellow international federations after confirming it will allow unlimited imports in the new national netball league next year.
Swift return for NSW after drawTHEIR first draw of the season has sent the NSW Swifts into the Australian netball conference elimination final in Sydney on Sunday against an unknown opposition
Vixens carry winning form in to finalsMELBOURNE Vixens coach Simone McKinnis says her team will attack its elimination final with the Swifts believing “anything can happen once you’re in finals”.
Vixens have fingers on the finals PulseMELBOURNE Vixens have overcome an injury-hit attack to book a finals berth after victory in a cut-throat clash against the Central Pulse in Wellington.
Firebirds earn right to enjoy home comfortsTHE Firebirds may not need to travel throughout the play-offs after clinching top spot in the Australian Conference with a 63-52 victory over the West Coast Fever.
Vixens finals future in their own handsMELBOURNE Vixens’ finals formula has been simplified by West Coast Fever’s final-round loss, the team’s play-off hopes hinging on their Central Pulse clash.
Nervous wait for NSW Swifts after drawTHE NSW Swifts fell agonisingly short of ending the undefeated run of Southern Steel and potentially securing an “easier” path to the ANZ Championship final.
Fever’s finals hopes on the lineFOR the West Coast Fever to realise their finals dream, they must first stop the ANZ Championship’s all-time leading scorer.
Vixens hopes may be up in the airMELBOURNE Vixens will face an impatient flight to New Zealand ahead of Monday night’s crucial final-round clash against the Central Pulse.
Why Firebirds won’t crunch finals numbersSTAR centre Kim Ravaillion says as mathematicians, the Firebirds make great netballers. That’s why they are disregarding the mathematical possibilities from the final round.
Swift’s not-so-secret weaponSHE could be the not-so-secret weapon the Swifts need to end the undefeated run of southern Steel and clinch top spot in the Australian conference of the ANZ championship.
D-Day for Swifts to soarPLAYMAKER Kim Green admits the NSW Swifts have yet to produce their best netball this season but says Saturday is D-Day for the feat.
The finals have come early — bring it on!THE worst-case scenario facing the Firebirds in the ANZ Championship finals ain’t that bad, writes Laura Geitz. In fact, it could very much work in our favour.
Bailey injury hurts Vixens’ finals hopesSTAR goal shooter Karyn Bailey has been ruled out for the rest of the season, putting the Melbourne Vixens’ finals aspirations in jeopardy.
Caretaker wants Thunderbirds jobCARETAKER Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell wants the job next year, saying she has loved her time at the helm this season.
