2022 SSN rumoured signings/speculation

Considering they were fancied as premiership contenders this year it’s been a pretty dramatic turn around in just one season for them.
As exciting as Bakewell-Doran is, if their starting lineup means her at GD and Jenner at GK i think they are in for a world trouble.

Maybe Olivia Coleman? Has been a TP with Swifts for a few years. Definitely offers height which is what Firebirds are currently lacking

Bakewell-Doran can play GK. Probably stronger or at least has played mainly at GD but can play GK if they wanted to leave Jenner at GD.

I’d rather FBs went for a young talent than someone like Sam May. Didn’t May just retire? If they want a stop gap for a year or so they still need to be developing someone to eventually step up so why not go for that now?

Iongi is probably the best of the Australian u21 group IMO in terms of playing GK. Sure not the tallest GK but would be similar to Mannix in height.

I’d love to know the inside story at FBs. Surely they felt they had someone lined up hence their tweets and both Ellis and Hinchliffe leaving. In turn their inability to nab someone like Moore or Lewis as well sort of indicates to me that they thought they had a starting GK.

Unlikely Tbirds would risk losing Sterling.. I feel it was more likely Dehaney and then lightning snapped her up

I’m actually surprised firebirds never tried keeping either Hinchcliffe or Ellis knowing that either was leaving? Where do they go recruiting a GK?
How about looking at the sapphire series? Remi Kamo is a quality defender she’s nice an tall and plays good with Baker-Doran, an reads the game good. I’d love them to back some more local talent and give them an opportunity.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by t_aus.

just a couple of stats – with those signed already (still 2 to go for Firebirds)
Australian players contracted – 63 across the 8 teams
imports – 15 – shooters 8, defence 7 (I counted SFB as a defence not a midcourt)

I also counted Shimmin as an Australian player as I’m not sure how she is viewed

interesting when you look at NZ who has 58 NZ players across 6 teams – so if that isn’t a good argument for extra aussie teams I don’t know what would be – or would that also just entice more imports? (not against imports taking aussie places myself being a kiwi lol but do think it has leveled the playing field a bit internationally)

Fiona Themann was a replacement player for Magpies this season for a game but not sure she’s the answer, might as well invest in a young player instead. I think she’s also on the shorter side for a GK.

I don’t see EUB coming over to Aus. She has a large focus on her law career at the moment and for that reason has been playing in the VNSL for the past few years. Same reason why she’s not in the full-time EN program.

Wasn’t Agbeze riddled with injuries while in NZ? She’s also quite old so wouldn’t be a longterm option.

Agbeze did make an impact when she came on this season but only had limited game time – showed no sign of that recurring knee injury. She is living here as her husband is a Kiwi but if she went to Australia she’d have to join 24,000 odd others trying to get back in and I’m not sure she would meet the criteria to even try to get back.

EUB – she also has a young child to consider on top of all else.