Cats one win from grand final in stunning debut season

Walkerville's first Premier League campaign ended in the preliminary finals, with both League and Reserves falling one game short of the big dance.

Walkerville's debut season in The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League ended one win from a grand final. It was a result few outside the club saw coming.

Both the League and Reserves sides reached the preliminary finals in the club's first year in the state's elite competition. Walkerville's Premier League finished the minor round fourth on the ladder, and the Reserves finished second.

The Cats’ League side stamped their finals ticket in dramatic fashion, winning their final match by a single goal after weathering a late Garville surge.

A week later, the two sides met again in a sudden-death semi-final.

Garville were the 2025 runners-up, and they went toe-to-toe with the Cats for three quarters. Walkerville then produced its best netball of the season when it mattered most. The Cats outscored the Greys 19–13 in the final term to win 67–56 and keep the fairytale alive.

Goal shooter Annelise Janssen was outstanding, landing 44 goals. She combined superbly with experienced goal attack Jess Paradiso in the circle.

That set up a preliminary final against Oakdale, a side Walkerville had beaten by a single goal in both minor round meetings.

Once again there was nothing in it, until Oakdale found a break late in the third quarter. The Oakies held on to win 56–47 and end a 17-year wait for a grand final.

In the Reserves, a second-placed finish earned a semi-final against Contax. The Cats went down in that one, then faced Matrics for a grand final spot. They fought hard but fell 59–52 to a side now bound for its third straight decider.

Premier League Head Coach Kate Semiz said the club's success was no accident.

"You don't build a winning culture in one season," Semiz said.

"We brought ours with us."

That culture came through in the list. The squad was stacked with finals experience across elite netball and basketball, with many players coming off the back of three straight AMND premierships.

Premier League stalwarts Paradiso, Lauren Gibbons and Charlotte Knight provided the big-game nous. A core of Walkerville-bred players brought the belief.

Paradiso's season was recognised at the league awards, where she finished third in the 2026 Most Valuable Player count in her first season in a Walkerville dress.

Behind the Cats

Keeping a team on court across a full season takes a huge amount of work from players, coaches and everyone behind the scenes. The club thanked the partners who made the debut year possible.

Inaugural Principal Partner Chemist Warehouse is Walkerville's first-ever on-kit partner, and Walkerville is Chemist Warehouse's first major female sport partnership in South Australia. Their name features on the front of the Premier League dress and on the polos worn by every Cat.

Premier Partner Simonds Homes and Major Partners T&J Constructions and New Balance | Belgravia Apparel backed the club from round one.

Motum kept players on the court all season, with team physio Luke Mrowka a constant presence courtside.

Fast Twitch Klemzig drove pre-season strength and conditioning and in-season recovery. Look Through My Lens' Shaun Healy captured every moment. OWL supplied face towels, and Seventy8 on Rundle supplied post-game meals every week.

The club also thanked its player partners, who back individual Cats throughout the season. All partners can be found on the Partners page.

Up next

Trials for the 2027 Premier League, Premier League Reserves and Extended Squad will be held on Tuesday 6 October at The W, 39 Smith Street, Walkerville, with a 6:00pm arrival.

Players interested in trialling can register via PlayHQ.

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