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The Super Netball season will reach its zenith in this weekend’s Grand Final, but the ‘silly season’ of trades and squad rebuilds has already well and truly begun.
The GIANTS made a ‘strong statement’ last week by announcing the re-signing of a trio of fringe players in Amy Sligar, Matisse Letherbarrow, and Lauren Moore, meaning they’ll retain their entire 10-player core squad for next season.
Meanwhile, Queensland Firebirds coach Megan Anderson has resigned after her side missed the finals, while Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst’s future is under a cloud after the club finished second-last – with the South Australian native the only coach coming off contract.
While many players signed two-year deals before this season – the first under a new two-year Collective Players Agreement (CPA) – there are still a host of big names who could be on the move.
Clubs can sign free-agent players from Monday July 4, the day after Sunday’s Grand Final.
Here’s the contract status of every player in Super Netball, and our experts’ analysis of what each team must do next.
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ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
Contracted until 2023: Shamera Sterling, LaTanya Wilson, Hannah Petty, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus
Off contract: Tippah Dwan, Ellie McDonald, Maisie Nankivell, Tayla Williams, Lenize Potgieter (contract not renewed)
Coach: Tania Obst – off contract
28-year-old South African goal shooter Potgieter’s exit is the biggest talking point, leaving the Thunderbirds searching the open market for a new attacking weapon.
Cath Cox told Fox Netball’s Centre Circle: “They are in desperate need of a goal shooter, and they need a strike goal shooter … someone who can completely dominate that area.”
The most likely target is one of Donnell Wallam or Romelda Aiken-George, with both Queensland Firebirds shooters coming off contract.
But Cox added: “It could be Lucy Austin: home grown South Australian, had a few good games for the Adelaide Thunderbirds this year – she was amazing.”
Cox also anticipates a battle for the signature of young midcourter Tayla Williams, declaring: “You would have to get Williams signed ASAP … she was fantastic.”
But she added that – apart from the departing Potgieter – there’s ‘no reason’ the Thunderbirds shouldn’t re-sign all four of their other out-of-contract players.
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COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
Contracted until 2023: Sophie Garbin, Shimona Nelson, Kelsey Browne, Molly Jovic,
Ash Brazill, Geva Mentor, Jodie-Ann Ward
Off contract: Jacqui Newton, Gabby Sinclair, Maggie Lind
Coach: Nicole Richardson
Kim Green said: “Gabi Sinclair – she’s been great when she’s been on, but has she been consistent?
“[Off contract Adelaide star] Tippah Dwan could really find a nice home there and form a nice combination with Nelson.”
Green said the Magpies should retain gun goal defender Jacqui Newton, saying: “She has been awesome … Definitely sign her up. She’s been amazing when she’s come on court this year.”
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GIANTS NETBALL
Contracted until 2023: Jo Harten, Sophie Dwyer, April Brandley, Jamie-Lee Price,
Amy Parmenter, Maddie Hay, Tilly McDonell;
Off contract: Amy Sligar, Matisse Letherbarrow, and Lauren Moore (all re-signed for 2023)
Coach: Julie Fitzgerald
Green said: “The Giants have come out with a strong statement, already re-signing their 10 that they have for 2022 for 2023.”
But she questioned the decision of Sligar, Letherbarrow and Moore – the trio who re-signed just last week – not to look for a new club.
Green said: “Interestingly, not a whole lot of game time for those three players. I was very shocked that all three of them signed straight away, I didn’t know if they were going to look somewhere else if they weren’t willing to go to the bench as much.”
Cath Cox replied: “I’m shocked that they would want to sign as well … they’ve been sitting on the bench most of the year, they stay there with the same players – is that going to happen again?”
“They’re obviously happy in that team environment,” she added.
MELBOURNE VIXENS
Contracted until 2023: Liz Watson, Kate Moloney, Jo Weston, Mwai Kumwenda, Kiera Austin, Kate Eddy, Emily Mannix, Rahni Samason, Hannah Mundy
Off contract: Olivia Lewis
Coach: Simone McKinnis
Regardless of this weekend’s Grand Final outcome, the minor premiers are well poised to strike again next season with a very stable squad for next campaign.
The only off-contract player is Olivia Lewis, the versatile defender who joined the Vixens this year after 27 appearances in three years at the Fever.
Caitlin Bassett said: “I just think she’s incredible. She’s a great pick-up for any club. I don’t know why the Vixens wouldn’t want her – but I’m sure there’s other clubs who want to sign her.
NSW SWIFTS
Contracted until 2023: Maddy Proud, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner, Sam Wallace, Helen Housby, Tayla Fraser
Off contract: Kelly Singleton, Allie Smith, Teigan O’Shannassy, Sophie Fawns
Coach: Briony Akle
With star international Sam Wallace returning from a devastating round one ACL injury, the Swifts have a difficult decision on their hands over young attacking duo Sophie Fawns and Kelly Singleton, who both enjoyed stellar seasons. Singleton was contracted in the 10 this season, while Fawns was Wallace’s injury replacement.
Green said: “It’s going to be hard … there’s only one position there … I would be going Sophie Fawns.”
Bassett agreed, saying: “She’s got that X-Factor … physically, she’s got great vertical elevation. She’s fast. I think we’re only seeing the very beginning of what she can do.”
But she named wing defence Allie Smith as a key target for retention, saying: “She would be a huge target for them. They’ll want to lock her down. She’s come in and been so exciting for them at the back of the season.”
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QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
Contracted until 2023: Gretel Bueta, Lara Dunkley, Kim Ravaillion
Off contract: Gabi Simpson, Jemma Mi Mi, Kim Jenner, Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Romelda Aiken-George, Donnell Wallam, Mia Stower, Eboni Usoro-Brown (returning to England)
Coach: Megan Anderson (departed)
Cox said: “They’ve got a lot of work to do here. There’s only three players that are signed.”
She continued: “That job is made even harder by the fact they don’t have a head coach. I would not sign unless I knew who the coach was going to be. That needs to be considered first and foremost for them.”
A big question is hanging over the future of the club at goal shooter, with Donnell Wallam enjoying a sensational season after coming in to replace Romelda Aiken-George.
Cox said: “Adelaide Thunderbirds are screaming for a goal shooter now Potgieter’s gone – potentially that’s where George or where Wallam may end up.”
After another season in which she was forced to share court time with Lara Dunkley in the midcourt this season, Jemma Mi Mi could look for a new club.
But the priority for the Firebirds will be retaining breakout star Ruby Bakewell-Doran, who Cox believes will be “pulled in every direction after that season.”
“She’s going to be the one they want to lock down regardless of which coach is around,” Caitlin Bassett said. “Keep that girl at that club!”
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
Contracted until 2023: Steph Wood, Cara Koenen, Tara Hinchliffe, Mahalia Cassidy, Karla Pretorius, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Reilley Batcheldor, Laura Scherian, Kate Walsh;
Off contract: Annie Miller (WA), Maddie Hinchliffe (C)
Coach: Kylee Byrne
After slumping to a wooden spoon for the first time in their history, the Lightning have precious little room to reshape their roster with just two midcourt players out of contract.
Maddie Hinchliffe was brought in to fill in for Karla Pretorious (maternity leave), but she is expected to return in a key boost for the club’s midcourt.
Bassett asked: “Does her coming back really fix the problems the Lightning have had this year, or is it something deeper?”
“Pretorious coming back definitely helps,” Green said, but added that the team “didn’t look happy” on the court and significant changes must be made.
Coach Kylee Byrne is also under some pressure following their poor season.
WEST COAST FEVER
Contracted until 2023: Jhaniele Fowler, Courtney Bruce, Rudi Ellis, Sunday Aryang, Jess Anstiss, Sasha Glasgow, Alice Teague-Neeld, Verity Charles
Off contract: Stacey Francis-Bayman, Emma Cosh
Coach: Dan Ryan
Bassett said WA/GA Cosh was: “Such an underrated player, she’s been at the West Coast Fever for a few years now and can add so much versatility across that wing attack and goal attack.”
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