By Sophie Taylor
The 2024 season will be an important one for the Firebirds, who are looking to break free of the “rebuild” tag and really make a mark on the competition.
The Firebirds only made three changes to their 2023 list ahead of the upcoming season, once again looking to the state pathway and elevating some impressive local talent.
With only one departure from each section of the court, the Firebirds are clear with their intentions this season: prove their development stage is over and challenge for a top four finish on the SSN ladder.
Their Nissan Arena fortress will prove critical with a heavily Queensland-based team once more, with plenty of X-factor and excitement to bring the fans in again.
Here’s a brief run through on the Firebirds’ signing period.
Ins
Tippah Dwan (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Hulita Veve (Elevated Training Partner)
Isabelle Shearer (Elevated Training Partner)
Outs
Gabi Simpson (Not offered a contract)
Ashlee Unie (Not offered a contract)
Mia Stower (Not offered a contract)
2024 Squad
Shooters
Donnell Wallam
Tippah Dwan
Emily Moore
Midcourters
Kim Ravaillion
Lara Dunkley
Hulita Veve
Macy Gardner
Defenders
Ruby Bakewell-Doran
Remi Kamo
Isabelle Shearer
Kim Ravaillion leads a an exciting new-look Firebirds midcourt.Predicted Starting Seven
GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Tippah Dwan
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Hulita Veve
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Remi Kamo
A big year looms for the Firebirds, especially with an exciting new partnership to look forward to in the goal circle. Key figure Donnell Wallam has been hard to stop since her debut season just two years ago, while Queensland pathways product Tippah Dwan has returned home after a few seasons – and a premiership victory – at the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Wallam’s flair and ability to turn a game will pair nicely with the calm and composed Dwan, while smart mover Emily Moore returns to the club for a second season after a breakout year in 2023.
All three players are highly accurate, willing to shoot from range and are rarely fazed under pressure, making for an intriguing goal circle to keep an eye on this season.
Just the one change has been made to the Firebirds midcourt, with the return of Tonga captain Hulita Veve. With several Firebirds caps already under her belt, including an initial contract back in 2016 and an outstanding stint as an injury replacement in 2023, Veve is a handy recruit for the upcoming season.
Key cogs Kim Ravaillion and Lara Dunkley return to continue the Firebirds’ solid midcourt connection, with the duo about to ply their trade in multiple positions and provide a large impact in a short time.
Meanwhile, Macy Gardner had just hit her straps for the season when injury struck, so will be hoping to shine once again in 2024.
Gardner’s speed matches well to the balance of Dunkley and athleticism of Ravaillion, while Veve’s craft and two-way running add another dimension to the intriguing midcourt and its many viable combinations.
The Firebirds’ high-powered defence will return in 2024, with Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Remi Kamo set to team up together once more.
The pair were quick to continue from where their state league days left off, quickly becoming one of the defensive duos to watch last season.
Despite her lithe build, Kamo’s impressive vertical leap quickly made her a tough competitor against some of the best goalers in the world.
Remi Kamo will be back in purple for a second season.Bakewell-Doran's dynamism and shutdown skills allowed Kamo to shine, while also winning plenty of ball back for the Firebirds. Young Queensland talent Isabelle Shearer joins the fray, set to develop under the pair’s helm and follow their rapid rise into the SSN.
Overall, the Firebirds are looking like a team to watch this year. But can they live up to their potential or will they labour away at the bottom half of the ladder once more?
