In one of the most popular Derby’s on the SSN calendar, Sunshine Coast Lightning will host the Queensland Firebirds this weekend in its official ANZAC Round for 2025.
Both teams will be competing for the Queensland Cup, which currently sits with Lightning after two wins against the Firebirds in 2024.
There’s state-pride on the line for both sides, with Lightning also celebrating two major milestones for Mahalia Cassidy and Cara Koenen. Both players will play their 100th National League match if they take the court.
KEY MATCH UP
Mahalia Cassidy (WD) v Macy Gardner (WA)
Two fierce and physical athletes, Mahalia Cassidy and Macy Gardner will be the players to watch this weekend.
With incredible fitness and athleticism, these two will not take a backwards step for the full 60 minutes.
Both Cassidy and Gardener have led their side’s Nissan Net Point scores for the first two rounds of the season, providing a strong and consistent presence for both the attack and defence end.
COACH’S COMMENT
“The Firebirds have been really disciplined this year and really patient with the ball in hand,” Belinda Reynolds said.
“Historically we’ve lined up really well against them and it’s going to be a great match here at UniSC Arena.
“We fell away in our one-point game against the Thunderbirds and that’s what we pride ourselves on so we can make good decisions in the two-point netball.
“We’ll be going back to the basics and winning the first 10 minutes of every quarter is definitely our aim for this weekend.”
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 7 2024
Sunshine Coast Lightning 76 | Queensland Firebirds 65
THE TEAM
- Steph Fretwell (C)
- Cara Koenen
- Tara Hinchliffe
- Reilley Batcheldor
- Ashleigh Ervin
- Liz Watson
- Mahalia Cassidy
- Courtney Bruce
- Kristiana Manu’a
- Leesa Mi Mi
MATCH DETAILS
- Suncorp Super Netball Round 3
- Sunshine Coast Lightning v Queensland Firebirds
- UniSC Arena
- 5pm, Saturday 26 April
HOW TO WATCH
Watch every game live on Kayo Sports & Foxtel plus for the first time, now on Binge.
