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Features
Area Preview: Defenders
As the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season approaches, the GIANTS are giving you an inside look at what’s to come.
Third by third, player by player, we’re breaking it down to give you all the key details you need to know ahead of season 2025.
The Names:
Jodi-Ann Ward. Tilly McDonell. Erin O’Brien.
The GIANTS will once again enter the upcoming Suncorp Super Netball season with the same dynamic defensive unit as last season.
Headlined by Jamaican superstar Jodi-Ann Ward, fan-favourtie Tilly McDonell and emerging defender Erin O’Brien.
Heading into her second season in the orange and charcoal, Ward’s experience and determination will be crucial to the GIANTS’ defensive strategy. At her best, the Jamaican Sunshine girl can be a game-changer, using her exceptional athleticism and sharp instincts to create turnovers and disrupt the opposition’s flow. Her ability to read the game, coupled with her physicality and agility, makes her a formidable presence in the circle.
Following a super impressive pre-season, O’Brien will be looking to continue her rise as one of the GIANTS’ most promising youngsters this season. Elevated to the GIANTS’ contracted squad last year following two seasons as a training partner, the homegrown talent has been a standout across the summer, with many tipping the 20-year-old as one to make a big leap in 2025.
One of the club’s most popular players, McDonell rounds out the GIANTS’ dynamic defensive group as the 24-year-old looks to continue her strong form this year in what will be her sixth season of Super Netball. While an injury-interrupted pre-season meant we didn’t see much of her across the club’s pre-season games, McDonell has slowly returned to full fitness from knee soreness and is now fit and firing and ready to make a big impact in 2025.
Now with 12 months together, the GIANTS’ defensive trio is as united as ever and is ready to bring the heat for Julie Fitzgerald’s side in 2025.
The Numbers:
- In 2024, Jodi-Ann Ward led the GIANTS in both intercepts (16) and deflections (46).
- Tilly McDonell finished second in the entire competition for defensive rebounds (25) in 2024.
- At Team Girls Cup, Jodi-Ann Ward averaged 6 possession gain involvements per game
The Notes:
Coach Julie Fitzgerald provides some insight into the defensive trio:
Jodi-Ann Ward: "Jodi-Ann combines great speed and anticipation with a strong one-on-one game. She is always able to read where the ball is going and is often able to capitalise on those key moments. Jodi has shown great form this pre-season, across all three defensive positions.”
Tilly McDonell: “Tilly has worked really hard this pre-season to develop her versatility as a defender to cover all three positions. When on the run she provides a strong attack through the middle third and in the circle she is a solid rebounder.”
Erin O’Brien: “Erin has shown very strong improvement across her debut season as well as pre-season this year. She is clever in the circle with an intimidating reach and pressure on the shot. She is growing every game and I can’t wait to see where she takes her game this year.
Watch the GIANTS and our dynamic defensive trio in action this Suncorp Super Netball season at any of our seven home games. Secure your tickets today via Ticketmaster.