The Back Court

🎙️ Back Court – Episode 5 From light-hearted banter to sharp analysis, this episode highlights the evolving landscape of Australian sport.  🔥 Women’s sport is booming Record crowds and growing fan engagement show it’s no longer emerging — it’s established. 🌏 Expansion is inevitable The push for a Tasmanian Super Netball team reflects a deeper issue: more talent than opportunities. 🎭 The personality gap Why is “larrikin” behaviour embraced in men’s sport but criticised in women’s? A reminder that female athletes still operate under a different lens. 💡 Takeaway: Athletes today aren’t just performing — they’re navigating expectations, narratives, and identity in real time.  

Round 1 done and what a week it was! International coaches resigning, breaking news live on the pod, big games, bigger takes and as always asking the most important questions...  What is the best condiment for steak? How many games did Liv Lewis play? And why are all the coaches wearing plain white T's? All that an more on this weeks Back Court. 

Etsy witches, a new trophy, Elastigirl and FINALLY some talk about netball because That's so Backcourt! Have a suggestion for Liv Lewis' Battler of the Week? If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok. 

Penis-gate, a new centurion and how many captains is too many captains? Whimper Olympics in your ears. If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok. 

Guess who’s back, back again.  The Back Court is back, the Origin Diamonds are gearing up to take on Jamaica, Matt & Liv both have big news to share and the crew chat about netball pre-seasons and a big summer of sport. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

The Constellation Cup returns to its rightful owners, but the Diamonds not-being-able-to-win-a-game-in-New-Zealand hoodoo remains.  Former Melbourne Mavericks defender of the year Olivia Lewis is on deck to give some of the best analysis around, while she and Matt discuss Gretel Bueta return to the court, which Gold Coast based tournament is on during Schoolies and we run our eye over the upcoming Netball Australia awards! We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

Pack your brooms, it’s a clean sweep.  As expected, the Diamonds went 3 for 3 against South Africa and importantly gave out some much-needed debuts!  New Zealand are next, and God knows they’ll be keen to just start playing some netball as the Noeline drama rolls on.  Plus, Julie Fitzgerald has landed on her feet and we discuss why there isn't a 5th game in the Con Cup. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

We're back (again), and this time it's the real thing. 45 minutes of pure netball chatter. There's plenty to chat about too. With the Noeline drama over in New Zealand, the Aussie Young Guns bringing home another trophy, Netball's Olympics push and the Diamonds three test series against South Africa, there's no shortage of things for The Back Court to banter about. Oh, and we've got a new host, with SSN star turned AFLW prospect Olivia Lewis joining Matt in the hotseat! So buckle up and enjoy the ride! We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

And just like that, the signing window reviews are over. We've finally arrived at the Queensland Firebirds, who spent their signing window raiding the best talent from the netball cupboard that is New Zealand. Will the additions of Gordon, Selby-Rickit and Jackson help the Firebirds surge up the table, or will they remain rooted to the bottom? Listen to find out what Matt and Liv think about it all. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

The Mavericks have ripped it up and decided to start again. The SSN's newest club have just 4 of their original players remaining on their list, but that doesn't mean they're not making strides. Liv and Matt discuss the signings of Price, Hinchliffe, Batcheldor and MacDonald and try to figure out where Molly Jovic fits in all of this on the penultimate episode of our SSN Signing Window Review series. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

Souness. Adamson. Austin. Watson. Stewart. There are plenty of new names entering the GIANTS set-up for 2026, but will it be enough to cover the losses of Harten, Price and Fitzgerald? Matt and Liv answer those burning questions - and more- in the next instalment of their Signing Window Review. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

Another signing window, another victory for the Lightning! If there's one thing the good people on the Sunshine Coast do well, it's sign players. They've added even more insane names to their list for 2026 signing Karin Burger, Gabby Sinclair and Donnell Wallam to their roster. It's not all good news though. Steph Fretwell has retired (sad face) while Reilley Batcheldor and Tara Hinchliffe have departed, both signing with the Melbourne Mavericks. Will Cara shine in goal attack? Can they keep everyone happy? All these questions (and more) will be answered on today's mini-ep. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

Have the Thunderbirds done enough to cover their losses?  It was retirement after retirement for the de-throned Thunderbirds, who lost Romelda Aiken-George and Hannah Petty to retirement - but they've been busy in the window, signing Elmere Van Der Berg, Sophie Casey and The Back Court's new favourite player, Kate Heffernan! Plus where should Georgie Horjus play and will anyone be able to score against this defence? We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

There's been some movement at the Swifts! The good news? Grace is staying, Maddy Proud is back on deck and Tayla Fraser returns. The other news? Sophie Fawns has her sights set on the UK, they've delisted Allie Smith and Paige Hadley won't play in 2026 (it's good news though she's pregnant!!) Matt and Liv sit down to discuss what this all means for their premiership hopes and the future of the Fawns-Smith-Turner share house. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

What do you do when you miss out on glory by the barest of margins? You go and ask your old flame to come back and push you over the line. Sasha Glasgow is back in green for 2026 and both your hosts think it's a good move. Plus Matt finds out Fran Williams is England captain and Liv has some thoughts on the Fever line-up. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

We're back - in mini pod form! Matt and Liv are giving you all a September treat and running through each team's signing window, starting with the reigning premiers - the Melbourne Vixens. And before you start yelling at your listening device, we recorded this before the Vixens (unsurprisingly) announced Di Honey as their new coach. Keep an eye on your feed as well, we've got plenty more in the pipeline! We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

What a way to end the 2025 SSN season! The Vixens - and Melbourne - bought the energy to Rod Laver Arena, as the league celebrated a record breaking season, with a record breaking crowd.  Plus, Liv has hit the big time, HK is back from the Caribbean and everything signings, signings, signings!  After a chaotic 20 weeks of action the Back Court will be taking a short break from recording. We'll still be around on socials, and will pop into your ears from time-to-time, but our weekly cadence will slow as we recover from one of the biggest seasons of netball yet! We still want to hear from you though! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.  

The Vixens train rollllllllsssss on! Simone's girls have done it again, booking their spot in the 2025 SSN Grand Final with an amazing come from behind win! Matt and Liv talk through all the key moments, discuss where they were and which family members think they're on TV! Plus, a comprehensive Grand Final Preview, the Mavs Mad Monday and Liv is eyeing off two flags in one week. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.

And then there were three! The Vixens rolled into Adelaide on Sunday and said not this time Thunderbirds to keep their dream (and Liv's) alive, while the Fever steamrolled the Swifts to book their spot in the 2025 SSN Grand Final. We chat through the weekend's action, cast our eye over the Diamonds squad announcement and decide whether or not Kate Moloney should play for the GIANTS in 2026. We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok. THE BACK COURT PUB TRIVIA July  31 - Beers, Brains and Bountiful Fun.  Get your tickets here. And remember, like, rate and subscribe to the show wherever you get your pods. Event details for The Back Court Thursday Night Trivia, including venue, lineup and more

It's the biggest period on the netball calendar. That's right, it's Mad Monday time. Liv's back from the Gold Coast and she's spotted a couple of tidbits on TikTok. Meanwhile Matt's in awe of a new sporting power couple, the Thunderbirds have too many milk adjacent sponsors and Tyler Orr turned one on in the UK. Plus chat about Jo Harten's final game, the Fever's inevitable march to the premiership and whether Liv's Vixens can go all the way! We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a good netball story (on or off the court) of your own and you’d like to send it in then feel free to test out our brand-new email –backcourtdms@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on Instagram and TikTok.   THE BACK COURT PUB TRIVIA July  31 - Beers, Brains and Bountiful Fun.  Get your tickets here. And remember, like, rate and subscribe to the show wherever you get your pods. Event details for The Back Court Thursday Night Trivia, including venue, lineup and more