2023

The GIANTS entered season 2023 with an unchanged group of 10, full of determination to reach the pinnacle match and hold their first Premiership trophy.

However, an injury-riddled pre-season saw the GIANTS on the back foot in the opening rounds of the season.

The team in orange and charcoal opened their home season at Sydney Olympic Park’s Ken Rosewall Arena in round two with a thrilling match against historic rivals, the West Coast Fever.

While it was the visitors that took home the one-goal victory, the club celebrated Maddie Hay’s 50th game – a local player with a fantastic story of perseverance.

After back-to-back narrow losses, the GIANTS broke through for the first time in the season with a hard-fought victory over eventual premiers, Adelaide Thunderbirds, in round four.

It was another successful Little GIANTS Round in round five as the GIANTS were triumphant over the Collingwood Magpies for the 14th straight time, while the club also introduced the inaugural Toddler Race.

In round six the club celebrated its 100th club game since entering the revised competition in 2017. GIANTS head coach and netball legend Julie Fitzgerald is the only club official to have been present at all 100 games. The 2023 season also marked Fitzgerald 25th season coaching in the national league.

Foundation players Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price celebrated their 100th club game the week after, with the duo the only remaining players from the inaugural GIANTS Netball list.

The second half of the season reflected a similar story to the opening seven rounds, with narrow losses and inconsistent performances making it difficult to build momentum.

In round nine the club hosted its first ever Pride Round as part of the league-wide inclusion round. The GIANTS’ playing group unanimously decided on Pride as their chosen theme, to support diversity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities and families.

April Brandley and Jamie-Lee Price celebrated their 150th National League games in round 11 and 13 respectively before Brandley announced her retirement from the game ahead of the final round of the season.

It was a fairy-tale finish to a challenging season in 2023 as a full-team effort delivered a victory over the Melbourne Vixens. The win complemented the celebration of the much-loved Brandley as well as giving a glimpse into the future, with exciting talent Erin O’Brien making her Super Netball debut.

Fan favourite Tilly McDonell also celebrated her first milestone, reaching 50 games in the round 14 match.

While the GIANTS reflect on the season frustrated with their potential not being reached in 2023, the team remained united to do everything they could to represent their members, fans and netball community with pride.

The club continued their ethos of supporting local talent, yet again fielding a list containing nine out of 10 players our of the New South Wales juniors.

Jamie-Lee Price topped off a stellar season by taking out all the individual awards at the club’s gala dinner, as well as earning selection in the Suncorp Super Netball team of the year.

2023 Roster: 

April Brandley, Sophie Dwyer, Jo Harten MBE (Captain), Maddie Hay, Matisse Letherbarrow, Tily McDonell, Lauren Moore, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Amy Sligar 

Training Partners: Taylah Davies, Jemma Donoghue, Charli Fidler, Ang Frketic and Erin O’Brien.

Team Staff: 
Head Coach: Julie Fitzgerald 
Assistant Coach:  Jenny O’Keeffe 
Operations Manager: Denny Peacock 
Physiotherapist: Gemma Vale 
Strength and Conditioning: Tom Reddin 
Performance Analyst: Kerryn Bruce 
Team Doctor: Sophie Armstrong 
High Performance Consultant: Tom Patrick 
Dietician: Mel Jurgens  
Player Development Manager: Danielle Spitty

2023 Awards Winners 

HCF Most Valuable Player: Jamie-Lee Price
Players’ Player of the Year: Jamie-Lee Price
Members’ Player of the Year: Jamie-Lee Price
Club Person of the Year: Tom Reddin and Kristina Genovese-Jones
Marj Groves AM Scholarship: Erin O'Brien

2023 Fixture and Results