Lightning Season Preview
The Sunshine Coast Lightning’s 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster.
One week they were knocking off the competition heavyweights, like their impressive win over the Vixens. The next, they were on the wrong side of a tight contest against the Swifts. It was a year defined by momentum swings and fine margins.
Across the season there were plenty of bright spots. Ash Ervin enjoyed a genuine breakout year, becoming one of the most dangerous defensive threats in the competition as her confidence and timing grew. Through the middle, Mahalia Cassidy and Liz Watson did what they do best, working tirelessly and providing the engine room that kept the Lightning competitive week after week.
Ultimately though, the ladder doesn’t reward “almost”. Finals came down to the last few rounds and, in the end, one loss proved the difference as the Lightning narrowly missed the top four. It marked only the third time in the club’s history that they had missed the finals in Suncorp Super Netball.
The off-season brought change too.
Long-time Lightning captain Steph Fretwell called time on her playing career and is now preparing for a new chapter, expecting her first child. Meanwhile defenders Tara Hinchliffe and Reilley Batcheldor headed south to Melbourne to join the Mavericks.
But Lightning fans won’t be short on excitement in 2026.
Two Australians who have been plying their trade internationally are returning to the SSN. Gabby Sinclair comes back after time in the UK’s Netball Super League, while Donnell Wallam returns after a season with the Northern Mystics in New Zealand. Add the return of Ava Black from injury and the signing of Silver Fern defender Karin Burger, and suddenly the Lightning look loaded with talent.
With a squad determined to right the wrongs of last season, 2026 is shaping up to be a fascinating campaign.
Shooters
Cara Koenen
A stalwart of both the Lightning and the Australian Diamonds, Koenen had a quieter season in 2025 than we’ve come to expect.
Her connection with Fretwell remained strong, but there were moments where her confidence appeared to waver and that began to affect her game. For a player usually so composed and reliable, it was an unusual sight.
Encouragingly, Koenen rediscovered her spark in the recent Diamonds series, producing the kind of commanding performances we know she’s capable of. If she carries that form into 2026, Lightning fans will be breathing easier. With two new shooting partners arriving, Koenen may also spend more time at GA, which could create one of the tallest shooting circles in the league.
Donnell Wallam
Wallam returns to the Australian league at 32 after a year with the Northern Mystics in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership.
Few shooters in world netball are as physically imposing in the circle. Wallam’s hold is incredibly strong, her reach is enormous and once she’s dragged the ball in from the sky she’s deadly accurate on the shot. Defenders know exactly what’s coming and still often can’t stop it.
The big question is how she combines with her new circle partners. With Watson feeding her, she couldn’t ask for a better supply.
Gabby Sinclair
Returning to SSN for her third stint, she offers speed, craft and a fearless willingness to take on the Super Shot. She’s particularly dangerous from range, which adds a completely different dynamic to the Lightning attack.
Whether she’s pairing with Wallam’s strength under the post or Koenen’s mobility through the circle, expect Sinclair to spend plenty of time working the front space and launching long-range bombs.
Midcourt
Liz Watson
Captain of the Diamonds, over 160 national league games and 100 Test caps; and she’s still playing like she’s just getting started.
Watson remains one of the most influential wing attacks the game has ever seen. Her vision, timing and ability to link defence to attack are elite. Simply put, when Watson is in control of the midcourt, the Lightning look a different side.
This year she’ll have new shooters to build connections with and a new defensive partner behind her. But if history is anything to go by, Watson will make it look seamless.
Leesa Mi Mi
Mi Mi brings speed, energy and growing confidence through the midcourt. Each season she looks more comfortable at SSN level and more willing to back her instincts.
Her biggest challenge this year will be building timing with a new shooting circle. If that connection develops quickly, her pace could become a serious weapon in transition.
Ava Black
After missing the 2025 season with a serious knee injury, Black returns eager to make an impact.
A versatile midcourter, she can comfortably cover all three positions. Her height gives her reach in defence, but she also moves far quicker than you might expect. She adds valuable depth and flexibility to the Lightning line-up.
Mahalia Cassidy
Cassidy remains one of the competition’s most relentless wing defences. The word “backpack” gets thrown around a lot in netball, but Cassidy is the real deal.
She sticks to opponents, disrupts drives and forces errors simply through pressure and persistence. Every attacking midcourter in the league knows they’re in for a long afternoon when Cassidy is their opponent.
Defenders
Ash Ervin
Ervin’s 2025 campaign was a genuine breakout. Her confidence grew week by week and she finished the season as one of the competition’s most exciting goal keepers.
With her long reach and improving timing, Ervin became a magnet for tips and intercepts. Now, with Burger arriving to partner her, the Lightning could have one of the most dangerous defensive combinations in the league.
Courtney Bruce
Bruce remains one of the premier defenders in world netball and a cornerstone of the Diamonds defence.
Her 2025 season had its ups and downs by her own high standards, but Bruce’s leadership and defensive IQ remain invaluable. The flexibility she brings is also key. She can anchor GK with Burger attacking out front, or step into GD herself and allow Ervin to dominate the post.
Karin Burger
One of the most exciting signings for Australian fans this season, Burger arrives from New Zealand with 70-plus caps for the Silver Ferns and recent experience as the national side’s interim captain.
Burger is lightning quick, fiercely competitive and incredibly aerial. She can cover all three defensive positions, which gives the Lightning enormous tactical flexibility. For opposition attackers, she’s a nightmare. For spectators, she’s an absolute treat.
The Big Picture
After missing finals by the narrowest of margins last year, the Lightning enter 2026 with a point to prove.
There’s fresh talent across the court, returning players eager to make their mark and a core group that knows exactly how close they came in 2025.
If the new combinations click quickly, the Lightning have the depth, experience and star power to push right back into finals contention.
And if that happens, don’t be surprised if the rest of the league suddenly finds the Sunshine Coast a very dangerous place to visit again.
Sunshine Coast Lightning 2026
Squad:
Ava Black
Courtney Bruce (VC)
Karin Burger (VC)
Mahalia Cassidy
Ashleigh Ervin
Cara Koenen
Leesa Mi Mi
Gabrielle Sinclair
Donnell Wallam
Liz Watson (C)
Training Partners:
Baylee Boyd
Jada Delaney
Tippah Dwan
Maddie Hinchliffe
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach - Belinda Reynolds
Assistant Coach - Jenny Brazel
2025 Ladder Position:
5th
