South Australian star and Adelaide Thunderbirds co-captain Georgie Horjus has been crowned the Liz Ellis Diamond for 2026, capping a dominant night at the Australian Netball Awards in Melbourne on Friday, October 30.
The highest individual honour in Australian netball, Horjus’s win recognises an outstanding domestic season as co-captain of the Thunderbirds and international season with the Australian Diamonds.
Playing a crucial role in the Thunderbirds’ third premiership in four years, Horjus led the league for goal assists (331), averaged 29 feeds per match, and shot at 88% accuracy when swung into goal attack across the season. She carried that form into the international season, recording 309 feeds in the green and gold and delivering a player of the match performance in Wednesday’s 10-goal win over the Silver Ferns.
The dynamic 24-year-old also claimed the Australian International Player of the Year award, finishing ahead of Sophie Garbin (second) and Kate Moloney (third). The same three athletes filled the podium for the Liz Ellis Diamond, with Garbin placing second and Moloney third.
Horjus was also named in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year in wing attack, alongside four of her Thunderbirds teammates:
- GS: Elmeré van der Berg
- WA: Georgie Horjus
- WD: Latanya Wilson
- GK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
- Centre court reserve: Kate Heffernan
“I didn't expect it at all, so it's a real honour. I think the little five-year-old girl that dreamed to be a Diamond one day would be pretty happy," Horjus said.
“It’s something I've never expected to win or never even thought about. I've always loved netball and I think I'm so lucky that I get to do it as my job – honestly, I did not expect it at all, so I think that's why I'm just so over the moon.”
Thunderbirds shooter Elmeré van der Berg was named the Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year, ahead of Jamie-Lee Price and teammate Kate Heffernan who placed third in her debut season. In her first season of Super Netball, the 25-year-old South African led the league for goals scored with 810 at 91% accuracy, and was also named in the Team of the Year.
“I feel extremely honoured and privileged to be able to win this award,” van der Berg said.
“I just want to thank everyone at the Adelaide Thunderbirds – the coaches, the players and all the staff – for backing and supporting me this year. I can’t wait to be back next year.”
FULL ARTICLE: Van der Berg crowned league MVP
The Joyce Brown OAM Coach of the Year was awarded to Adelaide Thunderbirds head coach Tania Obst, claiming her third national title and cementing a dynasty of club success.
It was the second time Obst has taken out this award, after doing so for the first time in 2024.
