Sunshine Coast Foundation player Maddy McAuliffe has been instrumental at Wing Defence for Lightning in recent seasons. Smart and strategic, the 25-year-old has been compared to Lightning captain Laura Langman and former Diamonds legend Julie Corletto.

The athletic midcourter is a natural-born leader, despite being one of the younger members of the Lightning team. Dogged in defence, she was also highly competitive when given increased opportunities at Centre in 2020. McAuliffe has experience representing Australia at both 19/U and 21/U level.