With the departure of Maria Folau and the injury to Sasha Glasgow, Samantha Gooden finds her way to her third Suncorp Super Netball side in the Thunderbirds for 2020. She made her debut back in 2017, playing in the Magpies’ inaugural season, and then switched to the Vixens in 2018 as a permanent replacement player. She headed back to the black and white last season as a training partner before being offered a full-time contract with the Thunderbirds in 2020. Having come through the Australian pathway and represented Victoria at Under 19 and Under 21 levels, Gooden offers great experience to her young teammates, as well as working with Proteas’ Lenize Potgieter.

She is a clever mover that can detect the space in the attacking third and slot into those pockets to either create an attacking foray or put up a goal. Gooden is a smart netballer that can shake up her game play when needed and is not afraid to go to post. The 190cm goaler uses her height to advantage able to command the ball and take it at its highest peak.