With all players coming out of contract at the end of the 2018 season, this signing period was always going to be an interesting one. From the shock dropping of Nat Medhurst by the Fever and the elevation of training partners to teams, to the introduction of six new international players, the signing period had a little bit of everything.
Some teams made wholesale changes, with the Thunderbirds being the most obvious example, retaining just four of their 2018 roster. At the other end of the scale, the NSW Swifts and the Vixens have retained nine players each. It remains to be seen whether this consistency will be part of a winning formula in 2019.
Thunderbirds sign Folau
The anticipated announcement finally came from the Thunderbirds on Tuesday. Maria Folau will start her Suncorp Super Netball career in Adelaide. Folau had been rumoured to be eyeing up several clubs and Diamonds coach, Lisa Alexander had touted her as a player that would be targeted for a signature. Folau showed off her shooting abilities in the last two Quad Series games against South Africa and Australia, with an accurate long range shot that few could emulate.
Maria Folau is always cool under pressure. Photo: Aliesha Vicars
Guscoth flying high after Quad Series
Layla Guscoth, a player who famously took several years out of internationals to complete medical training, will join Folau at the Thunderbirds. Guscoth has been playing for Team Bath in the English Superleague and showed her talent and speed at the Quad Series. Partnering superstar Geva Mentor in the English defensive circle, Guscoth picked up seven gains across the Quad Series with five in the game against the Silver Ferns. With three world class defenders now signed for the Thunderbirds, it remains to be seen who will earn the court time.
Layla Guscoth (GD) will take to the court for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Photo: Kirsten Daley
Maweni rounds out Lightning squad
Leaving the final announcement until after the cut-off date, fans were excited to see who would be signed to replace the inimitable Mentor. Phumza Maweni has most recently played in the English Superleague for the Severn Stars. However, it’s her combination with Proteas team mate, Karla Pretorius, that will have shooting circles waking from nightmares for months to come. Boasting the best defensive combination of the tournament, the Proteas are edging closer and closer to the standard of the top teams. This will only improve with the likes of Maweni making the move. She has an incredible lean over the shot and her athleticism and sheer determination will slot right in at the Lightning.
Phumza Maweni (GK) will be part of the potent Lightning back line. Photo: Kirsten Daley
McDonell out of school and straight into SSN
The Giants have signed a young and exciting defender, Matilda McDonell who will be finishing high school at the end of this year. McDonell plays in the Netball NSW Premier League for the UTS Sparks and has made state and national squads.
FINAL TEAMS
Adelaide Thunderbirds
Kelly Altmann WA/C
Beth Cobden WD/C
Maria Folau GA/GS
Sasha Glasgow GS/GA
Layla Guscoth GD/WD/GK
Cody Lange GA/GS
Hannah Petty C/WD/WA
Chelsea Pitman WA/C/GA
Kate Shimmin GK/GD
Shamera Sterling GK/GD
Coach: Tania Obst
Retained players: 4
New to SSN: 5
West Coast Fever
Jess Anstiss WD/C
Courtney Bruce GK/GD
Verity Charles C/WA
Ingrid Colyer WA
Shannon Eagland WD/C
Jhaniele Fowler GS
Stacey Francis GD/GK
Olivia Lewis GK/GD
Kaylia Stanton GS/GA
Alice Teague-Neeld GA
Coach: Stacey Marinkovich
Retained players: 8
New to SSN: 1
Queensland Firebirds
Romelda Aiken GS
Mahalia Cassidy C/WA
Laura Clemesha GK/GD
Tippah Dwan GA
Tara Hinchliffe GD/GK
Kim Jenner GD/GK
Jemma Mi Mi WA/C/WD
Caitlyn Nevins WA/C
Gabi Simpson WD
Gretel Tippett GS/GA
Coach: Roselee Jencke
Retained players: 9
New to SSN: 1
Giants
Kiera Austin GA/GS
Caitlin Bassett GS
Kim Green WA
Jo Harten GA/GS
Kristiana Manu’a GD/GK
Matilda McDonell GD/GK
Teigan O’Shannassy GK/GD
Amy Parmenter WD/C/GD
Sam Poolman GK/GD
Jamie-Lee Price WD/C
Coach: Julie Fitzgerald
Retained players: 6
New to SSN: 3
Sunshine Coast Lightning
Annika-Lee Jones GK/GD
Cara Koenen GA/GS
Laura Langman WD/C
Phumza Maweni GK
Madeline McAuliffe WD/C
Karla Pretorius GD
Peace Proscovia GS
Jacqueline Russell WD/C
Laura Scherian WA/C
Steph Wood GA
Coach: Noeline Taurua
Retained players: 6
New to SSN: 2
Collingwood Magpies
April Brandley GD/GK
Ash Brazill WD/C
Kelsey Browne WA/C
Matilda Garrett GK/GD
Nat Medhurst GA/WA
Geva Mentor GK
Shimona Nelson GS
Kim Ravaillion C
Madi Robinson WA/C
Gabrielle Sinclair GA/GS
Coach: Rob Wright
Retained players: 5
New to SSN: 1
NSW Swifts
Kate Eddy GD/GK
Sophie Garbin GS
Paige Hadley WA/C
Natalie Haythornthwaite WA/GA/C
Helen Housby GS/GA
Sarah Klau GK
Lauren Moore GD/GK
Maddy Proud C/WA
Maddy Turner GD/WD
Sam Wallace GS
Coach: Briony Akle
Retained players: 9 (counting Haythornthwaite)
New to SSN: 1
Melbourne Vixens
Kadie-Ann Dehaney GK
Tayla Honey (replacement player for Kumwenda) WA/C
Renae Ingles WD
Mwai Kumwenda (injured) GS
Emily Mannix GK
Kate Moloney C/WD
Tegan Philip GA
Caitlin Thwaites GS
Ine-Mari Venter GS
Liz Watson WA/C
Jo Weston GD/GK
Coach: Simone McKinnis
Retained players: 9 (including Kumwenda)
The improvers will be TBirds and Pies. Fever had their chance and blew it. Medhurst got them into the GF and they punted her. They will not make the playoffs
Great wrap-up, Cara. I like the addition of positions against the names; it shows where some teams may lack depth.
I agree Katrina C is for for Captain, WA means they are from Western Australia etc.
etc