EACH week the Draft Central team will focus on one Suncorp Super Netball player across the round and take a look at their individual highlights, key moments and improvements across their match. Our Round 5 focus is Adelaide Thunderbirds goal attack, Georgie Horjus who has rarely skipped a beat at SSN level. Each set of notes showcases the opinions of our writers individually.

The youngster has exploded out of the blocks to begin the season, and at only 18 years old she has slotted in well within the Thunderbirds attack unit to provide not only a handy feeding option into the circle but also hit the scoreboard. With a burst of speed and plenty of netball smarts, there is no doubt Horjus has grabbed every single opportunity to prove herself and continues to impress week-in and week-out regardless of her opposition. She backed up a solid Round 4 effort with a composed 17 goal haul at 85 per cent, also notching up 12 assists and 21 centre pass receives (topping the match tally, just ahead of Chelsea Pitman with 20), once again proving that she is more than capable of holding down a starting spot and controlling a game despite not playing the full 60 minutes.

Here’s what we had to say:

By: Sophie Taylor, Draft Central Senior Editor

Horjus got the start once again for the Thunderbirds, with the young goaler continuing to have an influence and playing off Lenize Potgieter’s movement with ease. A confident approach to post allowed Horjus to have an impact early and the youngster seemed unfazed by the shadowing she was receiving both in and around the circle. Jodi-Ann Ward’s physicality seemed to be missing early which seemed to enable Horjus free reign outside the circle. A relatively unassuming goal attack, her speed and willingness to take on the contest is immense allowing her to zip around the court and trouble the scoreboard with her ability to put up shots from all over the circle. While she was off the court in patches, she returned in some crucial moments and held up well to finish out the game. A couple of errors under pressure from Geva Mentor did see Horjus turn the ball over a few times, however it was her ability to build up her composure and confidence that kept the scoreboard ticking along for a phenomenal Round 5 effort.

By: Taylah Melki, Draft Central Managing Editor

It was another impressive outing by Horjus who from the opening whistle came to play for the Thunderbirds utilising her hot hand and speed in attack. For someone so young and still finding her feet at the elite level, Horjus showed plenty of confidence to back herself against the Pies. She was hardly ever overawed by the challenge at hand and although matched up against seasoned international players oozed great composure and decision making to create that flow in attack for Adelaide. Her connection forged with Potgieter was near-on impossible to stop, with their shooter to shooter interplay causing headaches for Mentor thanks to her impressive timing and high netball IQ to place the ball into space and to the advantage of Potgieter. Horjus’ influence in the goal circle was once again profound, hitting the scoreboard with great accuracy and rhythm but her overall efforts in attack were sublime with the goal attack providing a constant target. The youngster was constantly driving hard into the circle, or popping out in the attacking third to relieve the pressure and allow her side to reset showing experience beyond her years. Although she spent some time on the bench in the mid-part of the game, when she re-entered the court Horjus offered a wealth of energy and movement to completely open up the Thunderbirds attacking unit.

By: Lucy Pollock, Draft Central UK Writer

It feels like the Adelaide Thunderbirds have just clicked this year, and that is no doubt in part due to the impact of superstar, Horjus. She is becoming a master of the crafty goal attack role, using strong drives to carve up the attacking end and keep the goal defence guessing. She had a fantastic game against Jo Weston in Round 4, and the Magpies were forced to try several different defensive combinations in an attempt to nullify her impact. The most impressive aspect of her game is her accuracy and confidence to shoot from range. She has a huge amount of potential to really excel in the goal attack position and is finding a great combination with Potgieter. It is very difficult for defenders to stop her quick offload, and she is also a strong threat at the post. With the Super Shot in play, this is the perfect year for Horjus to make her mark on the SSN, and helping the Thunderbirds to two straight victories is certainly going to do that. 

By: Kate Cornish, Draft Central volunteer writer

There is little doubt that every Super Netball coach is now doing their homework on Georgie Horjus. A revelation in season 2020, the young star-in-the-making hailing from Kangaroo Island in South Australia is taking her elevation into the elite netball world in her stride. Starting at goal attack in the Thunderbirds Round 5 game against Collingwood Magpies, Horjus was in the game early and set the tone for how the game would play out. Not adjusting nearly quick enough, her opposition were gifting the clever attacker too much room in the attacking third and while she was unmarked for most of the time she was on court Horjus had the luxury of sitting just off the circle edge as an extra feeder as both defenders were looking to nullify Potgieter in the shooting circle. This meant Horjus was then able to take beautifully timed cut and drives to enter the circle with ease. Not fazed by taking a long shot, Horjus turned to post more often than not and while on court for 41 minutes of the match was rewarded with 17 goals from 20 attempts including one super shot. A floating style of defence is not the way to stop Horjus so teams will need to tighten up their style of play on her, perhaps with a more body-on-body approach, to see if that can shake the steady hand of one of the brightest new talents we have met this season.

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Centre Pass Podcast: Georgie Horjus interview (Round 1 wrap)

More Courtside Comments:

Round 1: Maisie Nankivell

Round 2: Tippah Dwan

Round 3: Sunday Aryang

Round 4: Molly Jovic