THE 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Season is only a matter of weeks away, and in anticipation of the new season, Rookie Me Central will take an in-depth look at each of the sides and preview what the year may have in store for them.

Today’s preview is all about the Queensland Firebirds.

Last year was a frustrating one for the Firebirds that can only be described as so close, but no cigar. They were right in the finals contention up until the final minutes of their final round match against the Swifts, and what made the situation even more frustrating for the girls in purple is that they finished with a better percentage than Collingwood, who did make finals, so if the Firebirds had held on against NSW they would have been the ones playing finals.

Regardless, 2023 is a new year with plenty of new faces in Brisbane this season. One of those is the coach, with former Firebirds player and Swifts assistant coach Bec Bulley coming back to her old club to replace Megan Anderson.

Bulley is not the only new face at the Firebirds this season. Midcourter Macy Gardner is back as a full time Firebird after previously holding a contract in 2020. Someone else who is back as a full-time Suncorp Super Netballer is Ashlee Unie, who previously played for the Sunshine Coast Lightning before sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury two years ago.

Firebird recruit number three is defender Remi Kamo, who has come up through the Queensland pathway programs and was a member of the Firebirds’ Australian Netball Championship side last year.

Someone who has had to make a bit more of a move than Kamo to take her opportunity at the Firebirds is Emily Moore, who was a member of the GIANTS Academy but has come north to replace Gretel Bueta for this season.   

The quartet replace four players who have gone in very different directions. Bueta is sitting out this season because she is pregnant with her second child, as is Jemma Mi Mi who is having twins. Kim Jenner has moved across the country to join the Fever. Eboni Usoro-Brown has retired.

Queensland Firebirds 2023 Squad

Kim Ravaillion

Lara Dunkley

Macy Gardner

Gabi Simpson

Mia Stower

Emily Moore

Donnell Wallam

Ruby Bakewell-Doran

Ashlee Unie

Remi Kamo