The 2016 Queensland Firebirds season saw the Queensland Firebirds netball team compete in the 2016 ANZ Championship. With a team coached by Roselee Jencke, captained by Laura Geitz and featuring Romelda Aiken, Clare McMeniman and Kim Ravaillion, Firebirds won the Australian Conference, the Challenge Trophy and the overall championship. Firebirds became the first and only team to retain the title. In a repeat of 2015, Firebirds defeated New South Wales Swifts in both the Australian Conference Final and the Grand Final.
Players
Player movements + Gains and losses Gains Losses Hulita Haukinima (Queensland Fusion) Chelsea Lemke (Southern Force) Rebecca Bulley (Retirement) Laura Scherian Verity Simmons (West Coast Fever) Amorette Wild
2016 roster
Debutants Hulita Haukinima made her ANZ Championship and Firebirds debut in the Round 1 match against Mainland Tactix. Chelsea Lemke made her ANZ Championship and Firebirds debut in the Round 6 match against Northern Mystics. She came on for the injured Gretel Tippett and subsequently scored 10 from 13.
Milestones Romelda Aiken scored her 5,000th ANZ Championship goal in the grand final. Having previously been members of the 2011 and 2015 Queensland Firebirds teams, Romelda Aiken, Laura Geitz and Clare McMeniman all win their third ANZ Championship.
Pre-season Between 18 and 20 March 2016, Queensland Firebirds played in a three-day event hosted by Northern Mystics at The Trusts Arena. Other participants included Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Southern Steel and Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Regular season
Fixtures and results Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12 Queensland Firebirds received a bye. Round 13
Round 14
Final standings
Challenge Trophy Queensland Firebirds began their defence of the Challenge Trophy in Round 1 against Mainland Tactix. Firebirds were unbeaten at home throughout the season and, as a result, retained the Challenge Trophy.
Round Holders Score Challengers Round 1Queensland Firebirds70–55Mainland Tactix Round 2Queensland Firebirds61–45Central Pulse Round 5Queensland Firebirds61–51New South Wales Swifts Round 6Queensland Firebirds70–42Northern Mystics Round 8Queensland Firebirds62–51 Adelaide Thunderbirds Round 10Queensland Firebirds56–44Melbourne Vixens Round 14Queensland Firebirds63–52West Coast Fever
Finals
Conference Final
Semi-finals
Grand Final
Award winners
Queensland Firebirds Awards Award WinnerPlayer of the Year Romelda Aiken Firebirds Players' Player Clare McMeniman Firebirds Spirit Award Caitlyn NevinsFirebirds Members Award Gabi Simpson
ANZ Championship awards Award WinnerANZ Championship Finals Series MVP Kim Ravaillion
All Star Team Position PlayerGS Romelda AikenC Kim RavaillionGD Clare McMeniman
Australian Netball Awards Award WinnerAustralian ANZ Championship Coach of the YearRoselee Jencke
Gallery
References