Donnell Wallam gives all in grand final to cap maiden campaign in Aotearoa

Jarred Cross Published July 28, 2025 at 9.30am (AWST)

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Wallam's Northern Mystics fell short of a premiership three-peat in Sunday's grand final across the Tasman. (Image: Northern Mystics Facebook)

Noongar champion goal shooter Donnell Wallam has fallen just short of silverware in her first season in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Wallam's Northern Mystics came up short 58-46 to Mainland Tactix in Sunday's ANZ Premiership netball grand final at Auckland's The Trusts Arena.

The Mystics, based in Auckland, were chasing a premiership three-peat strengthened by the Diamonds shooter who arrived at the club after departing Super Netball side Queensland Firebirds at the end of the 2024 season.

The Tactix triumph was their first premiership win.

Wallam scored a competition fourth-highest 313 goals across her debut season in Aotearoa having helped the Mystics to the minor premiership and direct qualification for the grand final after their 14-point final win over the Tactix in the final round of the regular season a fortnight ago.

Her season was interrupted by a hand injury suffered in the opening rounds.

The 193cm star scored 38 goals in Sunday's match, not enough to lead her side to another triumph. The Tactix's Elanor Bird, who's similarly spent time at Wallam's former UK club Leeds Rhino's, lifted her side to victory with 50 goals at the other end of the court.

*Donnell Wallam scores in Sunday's ANZ Premiership grand final. (Image: Northern Mystics Facebook)*

Wallam's cross to Aotearoa has not ruled her out of contention for international caps with the Diamonds.

Earlier this month, Wallam missed out on selection in the Australian 18-player 2025-25 squad for upcoming international series, though she was included as an invitee to camps.

She told the Netty Life podcast this week she was initially disappointed to miss out on primary selection, but is "grateful" to be to still be a part of it.

Wallam has played six tests for the Diamonds since a fairy-tale debut, scoring the winner in the dying moments against England in October 2022.

Speaking on Netty Life, she added the Australian environment is a competitive one to crack into, and, in that respect, understood the decision made.

Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich called her following the announcement, Wallam said.

Wallam is one of three Indigenous women to wear the green and gold of the national team after Sharon Finnan-White and Marica Ella.