Queensland Suns Nationals 2026 Recap

Apr 30
3 min read

The Queensland Suns have wrapped up another strong campaign at the 2026 Men’s & Mixed Netball National Championships in Perth, showcasing depth, resilience, and an exciting wave of emerging talent across all divisions.

Across the week, the Suns recorded multiple top-four finishes, a grand final appearance, and individual honours that reflect the continued growth of the program.

Results Snapshot

Open Men’s – 5th (2 wins, 4 losses)
Open Mixed – 4th (narrow margins to both Grand Finalists)
Open Men’s A – 4th (finished with their strongest performance)
23 & Under – 3rd (within 6 goals of a Grand Final berth)
20 & Under – 4th (young squad, outstanding effort)
17 & Under – Silver Medalists (Grand Finalists)

While results varied across divisions, the consistent theme was growth, grit, and teams peaking at the right time - highlighting the strength of the Suns pathway.

A New Generation: Suns Debutants

This year saw a significant number of athletes pull on the maroon for the first time, reinforcing the strength of Queensland’s development pathways.

Open Men’s Debutants

Max Carson (#92)
Daniel Statton (#93)
Maia Thompson (#94)
Balian Clarke (#95)
Kallum Rogers (#96)

Open Mixed Debutants

Chloe Bailey (#MX-102)
James Battersby (#MX-103)
Ryan Derrick (#MX-104)
Annie Lawrie (#MX-105)
Jack Morton (#MX-106)
Harriet Nicholson (#MX-107)
Millie Watt (#MX-108)
Cate Moody (#MX-109)
Kyle Holcroft (#MX-110)

Additional Suns Debutants Across Divisions

Open Men’s A: Luke Cronin
23 & Under: Cedric Anthonee, Daley Catip
20 & Under: Addison Westbrook, Brock Starkey, Leif Morris, Nicholas Meiring, Armani Dinsdale
17 & Under: Aidan Marshall, Ben Duck, Caidyn Macdonald, Cody Wright, Hayden Walters, Jahkaya Moses, Kyle McCann, Nicholas Fauske, Stephen Ryall

The number of debutants across all divisions is a clear indicator of the Suns’ commitment to development and long-term success.

All Star 7 Selections

Individual excellence was recognised with multiple Queensland Suns athletes named in All Star 7 teams.

17 & Under: Jai Kelly (GA)
20 & Under: Lachlan Brandon (WA)
Open Mixed: Jack Morton (C)
Open Men’s: Daniel Statton (C)

These selections reflect the calibre of talent within the program and the impact our athletes are having on the national stage.

Umpiring Excellence

A special congratulations to James Matthews-Maher, who was awarded the prestigious “The Stevo” – Maureen Stephenson Award for 2026.

This honour recognises outstanding contribution and excellence in umpiring, and is a testament to the strength of the Suns program beyond just athletes.

Looking Ahead

From a silver medal finish in the 17s to multiple top-four performances and a surge of debut talent, the 2026 campaign has laid a strong foundation for the future of the Queensland Suns.

With experience gained, combinations strengthened, and new athletes emerging, the program is well positioned for continued success in the years ahead.

Queensland Suns President Joseph Webb said:

“While the results may not have fully reflected the effort and commitment shown across the week, there were a lot of positives to take from this campaign.

The passion, resilience, and willingness to represent the Suns with pride was evident across every division, and we believe that commitment will pay off in the years ahead.

One of the most exciting aspects of the week was the number of debutants and emerging athletes coming through the program. This group gained valuable experience, and we believe many of them will form the foundation of the Suns for years to come.

Our focus now is continuing to strengthen the program — raising standards, improving alignment, developing pathways, and building an environment that everyone feels part of and that allows people to become the best version of themselves.

The committee is strongly focused on building that culture and creating a program capable of sustained success at a national level.

We’re proud of what was shown in Perth and excited about where this group can go next.”