The Queensland Firebirds won’t be taking a backwards step when they face rivals the Sunshine Coast Lightning this Saturday in the Battle of the Bruce – but they’ll be without a superstar import.
Kiwi star Maddy Gordon has been ruled out of Round 2 with a hamstring injury sustained at training and will now miss “several weeks” for her new club.
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It’s big blow for a Firebirds outfit that hasn’t tasted success over their Queensland counterparts in Super Netball in almost four years.
But coach Kiri Wills is adamant her team is up for the challenge.
“No one likes to go out there and lose,” she said.
“I think it’s no secret we are two teams in the same state – we want to be top dog in our state.
“They are enemies as soon as we step out on the court… and until the game is done.
“I know they are going to bring it – so we are not going to stand back and be all friendly. We’re going to get into it.”
One crucial piece of the Firebirds puzzle will be the form of goal shooter Mary Cholhok.
The 200cm Ugandan international managed 34 goals at less than 80% accuracy in her opening match of 2026 against the Vixens, and headed to the bench for super shot periods for all but the opening term.
But Wills remains confident Cholhok’s form will grow into the season.
“Our strength and conditioning is so excited in how much she has shifted,” Wills explained.
“She came in pretty close to the start of the season last year and we had no time to really prep her for the physicality. Particularly for the game she plays, she has to be strong.
“Mary’s literally had one year of that solid training.
“She made that call she’d be available for Uganda for one series because she wanted to stay here and work with these guys… she knows how physical it is (in Super Netball).”
Worryingly, it was against the Vixens Cholhok conceded six penalties – the third highest of any Firebird for the match.
“We talked about it in the change room … We looked at a couple of the penalties that went against her,” Wills said.
“It is the changing of shape of her body trying to secure her space and to try and be strong, but it’s just making sure that she’s nice and straight and tall so the umpires can see it a little more clearly.
“She’s always going to get that punishment.
“She’s worked so hard on her strength and conditioning base.
“It’s that straightness in terms of her stance and not leaning away from the ball because then it opens it up for interpretation – so that’s what we are working with her on.
“We still want her to hold.”
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It comes as Aussie netball great Cath Cox questioned Cholhok’s ability to hold strongly in Super Netball.
“I was calling for her to be benched the other night when I was in commentary – which might have been a little harsh,” Cox said.
“There’s still conversations happening within the team about how to feed her. She’s still sometimes quite soft on the hand and hard to read. Again, that stuff takes time, but you can’t take too much time.”
The Queensland Firebirds last defeated the Sunshine Coast Lightning back in April 2022. Since then, they’ve suffered seven straight defeats at an average losing margin of 12 goals.
The Firebirds will take on the Lightning this Saturday from 5pm AEDT.
Firebirds training partner Sasha Flegler has been named as Gordon’s replacement player, and remains in line to make her Super Netball debut.
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