By Stephanie Smarrelli
This year, an unparalleled breadth of talent took the court in the best domestic competition in the world.
While the best of the best were given the opportunity to showcase their skills during the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season, there was a collection of athletes who really stood out.
As we begin counting down the days to the next season of netball, here are some of the stand outs from the season gone by.
15. Ruby Bakewell-Doran
Firebirds’ defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran was equal fourth for intercepts in 2023 with 30.
The agile defender continues to improve her game and lead by example in an inexperienced defensive end.
Bakewell-Doran's closing speed and confidence to leave her player to come out for an intercept has impressed throughout the year.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran was dominant in the Firebirds defence. The Firebirds’ second game of the season was one of her best, despite the side not winning the match.
Bakewell-Doran accumulated seven gains and five intercepts against one of the league’s best shooting duos in Steph Wood and Cara Koenen.
14. Kelsey Browne
Magpies midcourter, Kelsey Browne was among the league’s top five for goal assists and centre pass receives while also finishing the season with 412 feeds.
The 31-year-old's quick thinking and drive to the circle edge made it hard for defenders to find a way to shut her down.
Browne’s best performance in 2023 was in Round 8 against the Queensland Firebirds. She dominated the midcourt sending a haul of 41 feeds into the goal circle.
13. Steph Wood
Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Wood is instrumental to the side’s attack end. The speed and agility Wood provides draws opposition defenders away to open space for Cara Koenen in the goal circle.
Wood has the ball on a strong in the attacking third for the Lightning. Wood’s ability to swing out into the wing attack position adds another level of depth to her game and gave head coach Belinda Reynolds another option to play with throughout the season.
The shooter finished the Suncorp Super Netball season with 54 Super Shots and 1049.5 Nissan Net Points.
Her best performance during the season came against the Vixens in Round 4 with 116.5 Nissan Net Points. Wood carved up the attacking third tallying 34 feeds and only two missed goals for the match.
12. Amy Parmenter
With 22 intercepts, 56 deflections and a low 26 general play turnovers Amy Parmenter treasured possession and gave the GIANTS the opportunities they desperately needed to turn games on their head.
Parmenter’s best outing in 2023 was in Round 10 against the Sunshine Coast Lightning. The midcourter had no general play turnovers to her name but tallied five gains, three intercepts and seven deflections.
Amy Parmenter was key cog to the GIANTS line up in 2023.11. Kiera Austin
Kiera ‘Clutch’ Austin’s shooting prowess enabled the Vixens to edge out opponents in the dying seconds of multiple matches throughout the season first against the West Coast Fever and then against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Austin shot 281 goals for the year, had 323 centre pass receives and 13 intercepts. Her ability to switch from an attacking mindset to defensive while also being able to don the wing attack bib is an asset to the Vixens.
The 26-year-old's best match was against the Fever in Round 8. Austin had the most Nissan Net Points on the court that day with 129.5, collected two gains and intercepts alongside slotting 24 goals including the match-winning Super Shot at the end of the game.
