Vixens young guns selected in FAST5 squad

Ellis returned to Victoria and the Vixens – where she was a training partner in 2018-19 – following stints with the Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever, and made her debut in navy in Round 1.

The 190cm defender featured in all but one of the Vixens’ 17 games, her reach over the shot and ability to contest aerially making a mark, particularly against tall holding shooters.

Under the guidance of head coach Simone McKinnis, the 27-year-old goal keeper’s game went from strength to strength as the season progressed.

Twenty-year-old midcourter Walters was a revelation in the opening rounds of the season, making her SSN debut with a 60-minute performance against the Mavericks and backing it up in the side’s Round 2 win over eventual premiers the Thunderbirds.

Walters’ speed, strength on the drive and vision into the circle thrilled fans before a lower back injury derailed her season; she returned to rack up another five appearances in the back end of the season and was named Rookie of the Year at the club’s recent Sharelle McMahon Medal awards night.

The team will travel to Christchurch, New Zealand for the FAST5 Netball World Series from 9-10 November.

2024 Australian FAST5 Netball World Series Team
Lucy Austin GS/GA (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Ruby Bakewell-Doran GD/GK (Queensland Firebirds/New South Wales)
Reilley Batcheldor GA/GS (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Rudi Ellis GK/GD (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
Lauren Frew GA/GS (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Kim Jenner GD/GK (Melbourne Mavericks/Queensland)
Matisse Letherbarrow GS/GA (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Leesa Mi Mi C (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Zara Walters C (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Tayla Williams C (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Reserves
Sophie Fawns GS/GA (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)
Amy Sligar C (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Teigan O’Shannassy GK/GD (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)