The Hart Premier Netball Sapphire Series returns this weekend and Rebecca Stower’s squad are looking to improve on last year’s breakthrough post season appearance and make their way to the grand final.
Following what has been a long pre-season disrupted by the absence of five of their stars on SSN Reserves duties, this Sunday’s game against Carina Leagues Club is the club’s first opportunity to test their combinations under pressure with a full squad together on court.
Kim Boland’s Ruby Series squad heads into round four following a 12-point win over Sunshine Coast, but this weekend’s game against reigning premiers Carina Leagues Club poses an uncertain challenge. The Tigers have undergone a reshuffle and welcomed some new faces into their line-up.
Sapphire Series
Bull Sharks v Carina Leagues Club at Nissan Arena
Last time we met
Round 13, 2024 at Nissan Arena
Bull Sharks won 62-46
The game was a much more consistent performance than previous ones. The Bull Sharks executed a full-court defensive effort and focused on valuing ball possession, it was a unified effort overall.
The Opposition
The Tigers enter the 2025 season with a fresh look, following a significant rebuild. The appointment of new head coach, Katie Walker, alongside assistant coach Megan Anderson, brings strong leadership to their program. The duo, who previously worked together in reverse roles at the Queensland Firebirds, bring a wealth of elite-level experience. While the Tigers have retained a handful of players from their 2024 campaign, the majority of the squad has been elevated from their Ruby program. Expect a fit and well-drilled team with a clear game plan. Though they may lack the polish and composure that comes with seasoned Sapphire-level experience, they are sure to grow into a dangerous team as the season progresses.
The Challenge
This match presents a valuable opportunity to test and build our combinations, especially as it marks the first time we’ve had our full squad together on court. With our SSN Reserves players either unavailable or limited throughout the pre-season, cohesion is something we’ll be working on actively during the game.
Shuffling the magnets
Our depth across the court is one of our greatest strengths. This week it’s about exploring which combinations gel best under pressure. As we welcome players back into the training environment, we’ll continue to build new connections and layers to our game.
Ones to Watch
Our focus this week is firmly on the team as a unit rather than individuals. We’ll be looking to our leadership group to set the tone—demonstrating our values, lifting standards, and creating a strong sense of connection from the first whistle.
The focus
We had a solid hit-out against the Tigers just two weeks ago, despite only having seven of our original squad available. Now, with our three Firebirds Reserves joining the mix, it’s going to be exciting to see how their presence elevates our performance and strengthens our structure.
The final word
It has been a long and at times challenging pre-season, but the resilience and commitment from this group has been outstanding. I’m incredibly proud to have all our players on board for round one, and I can’t wait to see them take the court.
With Rebecca Stower
Ruby preview
Last time we met
2024 Finals Rd 1
Bull Sharks lost 55-53
It was a loss that still burns. The Bull Sharks fell two points short of the side that would go on to win the grand final.
The opposition
Tigers have been the benchmark of the Ruby Series for the past three years. While they've seen some changes this season due to player elevations to Sapphire and a few retirements, they’ve retained key players from their 2024 championship-winning side, making them a dangerous opponent.
The challenge
We’re anticipating another physical encounter. Much like Thunder, the Tigers bring relentless intensity. Our challenge will be to stay composed, stick to our style of play, and avoid getting drawn into their game.
Shuffling the magnets
No changes to the lineup at this stage.
Ones to watch
Harriet Nicholson has been a standout over the past four weeks. Her ability to disrupt and win ball in the defensive end will be key again this week.
The focus
Our focus is on building consistency. We want to carry the momentum from the Thunder match forward and produce a complete performance across all four quarters.
The final word
This week presents another big test. We’ll continue to trust in our processes, play our game, and look to take another step forward.
With Kim Boland