WA netballer Donnell Wallam impresses in Queensland Firebirds debut

West Australian netballer Donnell Wallam has put her best foot forward in the hope of gaining a Super Netball contract in 2022.

Wallam, the former basketballer from Waroona who only took up the sport for fun, made her debut for the Queensland Firebirds this weekend at the pre-season Team Girls Cup in Melbourne.

It comes after the tall shooter flew to Queensland for a training run last month, after confirmation Firebirds star Romelda Aiken was pregnant and would miss the 2022 Super Netball campaign.

Firebirds coach Megan Anderson confirmed Wallam was still without a contract this season, but she certainly held her own in her two appearances.

“She was a lovely target in there for us,” Anderson said.

“Going back to a same style as Romelda Aiken, it just made the girls feel a bit comfortable to start the game.”

Admitting “nothing is planned” for Wallam to stay permanently at the Firebirds, Anderson was impressed by the 26-year-old’s commitment.

“She came over on a bit of a six-week trial and unfortunately got COVID in the middle of that,” Anderson said.

“This is really the first time she’s been on court with us, aside from a few minutes at training.”

Attacker Mia Stower has been given match time to partner star Gretel Bueta in Aiken’s absence, while the Firebirds already have shooter Charlie Bell as a training partner if they need.

While training partners are not guaranteed a start in any Super Netball match, squads are expected to be bigger for games this season given the looming threat of COVID.