It’s been a rapid rise to the top of men’s netball for Liam Killey. Within a year of playing in a social mixed team, the 6”9 goal shooter was encouraged to try out for the Victorian state men’s team.
Twelve months after that, Killey was named a squad member of both the national Australian Kelpies side, and the 2024 Australian men’s FAST5 team.
Killey is a long-time basketballer with experience playing in the NBL1 and Big V. With his height, agility, and ability to shoot from anywhere, it’s no surprise he took to netball so swiftly.
He joked, “Netball is great because it takes away all the things I was bad at in basketball.”
Killey made his Kelpies debut this weekend, during game 1 of the annual Trans-Tasman Cup between the Australian (Kelpies) and New Zealand (Net Blacks) men’s sides.
Speaking ahead of the game, fellow Victorian representative and Kelpies teammate Josh Byron said he was excited to see Killey in action on the world stage.
“I think there's always been I guess a rhetoric in netball that the ‘talls’ are tall but that's all they can bring to the game. I think Liam at his height is really redefining in that he's a mobile tall.
“He brings so much to the table – he's so difficult to defend. I'm so grateful he is on my team at a state and a national level, but I love the fact that Al [Punshon] and I get to train against Liam and Brodie [Roberts] as a combo every single week,” said Byron.
“A player like him that's just so dynamic and he's only just finishing his second full year of netball? It's incredible.
“And more importantly, he's a great cultural member of a team. He's a fantastic guy and I have a lot of time for him.”
Killey’s debut performance was one for the ages. Coming on at half time, he shot 29 from 30 goals at 96.7% – making him both the highest volume shooter and the most accurate across the two teams.
Killey also took four pick ups throughout the match – a rarity for a goal shooter. His dominant performance helped secure a massive 50-goal win for the Kelpies over New Zealand.
Killey not only appreciates the on-court mechanics of netball, but the community among the men's side of the game, especially at the week-long annual Australian Men's & Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) Nationals tournament where he’s competed for the past two years.
“It was honestly some of the best weeks of my life,” said Killey.
“The netball community is just such an amazing thing to be a part of… Especially men's netball, where it's still so up and coming, I think everyone's just happy to see a new face.”
Men’s netball is growing in popularity and elite opportunities, and the Kelpies are invested in supporting that growth. The athletes, coaches and support staff make significant financial sacrifices to attend training camps and represent their country for the betterment of the future pathway.
“It's almost like we’re crawling now so that future generations can run,” Killey said. “Hopefully in the future there’s a men's competition that’s run nationwide and that’s something that we can all look back on.”
Even in Killey’s short amount of time in the sport, he's seen an increase in media attention and court time afforded to the men’s game.
“Last year there were three games against New Zealand and this year it’s four,” he said. “Hopefully next year we can get all four games [televised] alongside the Diamonds.”
The Kelpies and other elite male netballers are an integral support to the national women’s side, as well as the Melbourne Vixens, who often have training sessions together.
“They're the best in the world for a reason, so just the fact that we're able to train with them and play against them is a privilege,” Killey said.
Following the conclusion of the four-game Trans-Tasman series, Killey will return to New Zealand in November for the FAST5 Netball World Series, where the Australian men’s side are hoping to nab their first title.
Expect Killey to be a strong rebounder under the post and put up long shots at every opportunity during the last two minutes of every quarter where 2 and 3-point shots double in value.
“I keep joking with Ned [Kelpies head coach Nerida Stewart] that I'm not going to leave the 3-point line,” Killey said.
Watch Killey and the Kelpies this Wednesday in game two of the Trans-Tasman Cup. The match will be televised live on Kayo Sports and is available to watch in-person to all Constellation Cup game two ticketholders.
Trans-Tasman Cup
Game 2: Wednesday 23 October, Spark Arena (Auckland), 5.30pm NZDT/3.30pm AEDT.
Watch live and exclusive in Australia on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Freebies and Foxtel. Tickets on sale now.
Game 3: Saturday 26 October, Australian Institute of Sport Netball Centre (Canberra), 7.30pm AEDT (match not televised). Tickets on sale now.
Game 4: Wednesday 30 October, John Cain Arena (Melbourne), 4:30pm AEDT.
Watch live and exclusive in Australia on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Freebies and Foxtel. Tickets on sale now.
FAST5 Netball World Series
Saturday 9 November – Sunday 10 November, Wolfbrook Arena (Christchurch).
Tickets on sale now. Watch live in Australia on Seven.
