Donnell Wallam

There was no questioning the talent of Donnell Wallam or the fact she deserved a chance to play SSN, but not many could have expected such a dream start to her career.

Wallam, a Western Australian, signed with the Firebirds as a replacement for veteran goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George due to pregnancy before the 2022 campaign.

Taking this opportunity with both hands, Wallam fully committed to training and quickly established herself as one of the leading shooters in the competition.

An instinctive and inventive player, who often draws on her basketball background for eye-catching goals, Wallam's debut campaign ended with 519 goals at and 86 per cent accuracy and being recognised as the SSN Rookie of the Year.

Wallam also made her debut for Australia in the three-Test series against England, coming off the bench in the opening Test in Newcastle to score a dramatic winning-goal and becoming just the third First Nations player to represent the Diamonds.