Signing period review: Sunshine Coast Lightning

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

The Sunshine Coast Lightning may have pulled off two of the biggest steals of the signing window but will the new additions return the Lightning to finals glory? 

When analysing the team head coach Belinda Reynolds has assembled for 2024 all signs are pointing to yes. 

Origin Diamonds athletes Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce have left home for the Sunny Coast where they will join fellow Australian team members Cara Koenen, Tara Hinchliffe and retired Diamond Steph Fretwell.  

The duo will bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and connections to a side that fell short of finals in 2023.  
 
Here’s a brief run through the Lightning's signing period.   
 

Ins
Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever) 
Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens)
Leesa Mi Mi (Queensland Firebirds)
Ava Black (elevated training partner) 
 

Outs
Kadie-Ann Dehaney (West Coast Fever)
Laura Scherian (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Annie Miller (not offered new contract)
Karla Pretorius (returned to South Africa) 

2024 Squad  

Shooters
Cara Koenen
Steph Fretwell (née Wood)
Reilley Batcheldor 

Midcourters
Liz Watson
Mahalia Cassidy
Ava Black
Leesa Mi Mi 

Defenders
Courtney Bruce
Tara Hinchliffe
Ashleigh Ervin 
 

Predicted Starting Seven
GS: Cara Koenen 
GA: Steph Fretwell  
WA: Liz Watson  
C: Mahalia Cassidy 
WD: Ava Black 
GD: Courtney Bruce 
GK: Ashleigh Ervin 

Bringing in the likes of Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce came at a cost with Lightning veteran Laura Scherian moved on from the club after seven years and two premierships.  

Another casualty in the midcourt was Annie Miller who lost her position in the team's contracted 10. 

While in the defence end Karla Pretorius made the decision to return home to South Africa and Kadie-Ann Dehaney traded places with Bruce and joined the Fever. 

A workhorse throughout the midcourt, the addition of Liz Watson will be invaluable to the side as they aim to play their first finals series since 2021. 

Watson regularly pulls high numbers when it comes to feeds and can switch between wing attack and centre with ease. 

Joining Watson in the midcourt Lightning have retained the dynamic Mahalia Cassidy who will be able to take her game to a new level alongside Watson. 

Lightning have also rewarded training partner Ava Black with her first contract. The agile midcourter debuted for the Lightning in 2023 with her ability to slot into all three midcourt positions an asset to the side. 

Alongside Black, Firebirds training partner Leesa Mi Mi rounds out the 2024 Lightning midcourt with the speedster lured by the club's culture and given the opportunity following an impressive string of SSN performances in 2023. 

In the attack end the partnership between Cara Koenen and Steph Fretwell will continue to flourish with the duo unstoppable once they get on a roll. Knowing each other's game inside and out they will be backed up by the return of Reilley Batcheldor. The young shooter succumbing to her second ACL injury in 2022 and subsequently missing last season. Back in business Batcheldor's confidence to shoot from any distance when the pressure is mounting will keep the Lightning in front when the super shot is required.  

Down the other end of the court also returning from an ACL injury Tara Hinchliffe will get her chance to work regularly with 2023 Liz Ellis Diamond winner Courtney Bruce.  

Bruce's flair, ability to read the play and knowledge of her opponents makes her one of the best defenders not just in the league but in world netball.  

Hinchliffe and returning youngster Ashleigh Ervin will be able to learn valuable tricks of the trade from Bruce as she calls the Sunny Coast home. 

It is clear the Sunshine Coast Lightning made the most of the signing period and recruited well, with a mix of youth and experienced talent they should be primed to strike in 2024.