Jessie Laga’aia has enjoyed her most spectacular netball season to date, one that is far from over just yet.
The 26-year-old quickly became a Queensland Firebirds fan favourite with a stunning Suncorp Super Netball debut in a Round 6 victory over the NSW Swifts at Nissan Arena, before crossing the ditch as an injury-replacement loan for the Ascot Park Hotel Steel in the ANZ Premiership.
“My SSN debut was an absolute highlight for me,” the powerful midcourter said.
“It was a dream come true in every sense. Firebirds feels like a home away from home for me, so to get that opportunity was incredible. Also playing in the grand final in New Zealand, that was something I wouldn’t have thought of at the start of the year.”
After missing the first half a dozen HART Premier Netball League (HPNL) Sapphire games due to commitments in New Zealand and with the Firebirds Futures’ Super Netball Reserves, Laga’aia has been embracing her second year at the Kedron-Wavell Cougars.
“The only game I played early on was one that we lost, so I was like, ‘I don’t think I’ll come back guys’,” she joked.
“It’s the best, I love this team. We all agree that we’ve never been in a team that loves each other so much, and I think that culture started with Amanda (VanderWal) and Liz (White). We work really hard but we have so much fun doing it together.”
The Cougars currently sit one win clear at the top of the HPNL Sapphire ladder heading into a Round 14 clash against the Bond University Bull Sharks this Sunday at Nissan Arena, the final regular season round before finals.
A major semi-final place is already guaranteed, yet there remains plenty of pride on the line for a Cougars outfit haunted by last season’s one-point grand final loss to the Bull Sharks.
“We have played with a lot of these girls throughout the year through Firebirds Reserves, so they’re familiar but it’s about setting the structures we want to run,” Laga’aia said.
“We have goals we want to hit regardless of what happens. I’m not going to lie, it still burns, that grand final last year, so we want big wins on the board every week if we can.”
It’s no coincidence that Laga’aia’s breakout season has come during her time at the Cougars.
“Liz has taught me how to be a better teammate, which in terms of my netball career has made me a better athlete,” she said.
“I’m quite hard on myself when making mistakes or not playing as well as I’d like, and I find that hard. But Liz reminds me to let it go, move on, and I think that’s improved my game. Also, I’ve never done so much defence work in my life. I keep telling her I’m an attacking princess and there’s no ‘D’ on my bib.”
A career-defining 12 months has many wondering where Laga’aia will land in 2027.
“I don’t have plans next year, although a lot of people think I do,” she said.
“My heart is still set on Super Netball. I did get a few offers from the UK that I turned down because my heart is here, I just need more opportunities to prove I can be at that level and that I’m ready to play.”
A dominant 2026 HPNL Sapphire finals campaign, including redemption for last season’s gutting grand final defeat, is Laga’aia’s only concern for now.
“I’m focusing on finishing off this season and being proud of the full year of netball that I’ve played, and prioritising the girls I’m playing with now,” she said.
“I’m a firm believer in what will be, will be, so I’m just focusing on the now.”
Netball Queensland's NetballQ TV, the home of community netball in Queensland, is delivering live and free coverage of the state’s most exciting grassroots and pathways competitions, including the HART Premier Netball League Sapphire and Ruby Series. Click here to access NetballQ TV.
