Super Netball grand final 2023: Adelaide Thunderbirds star Eleanor Cardwell’s future clouded amid ‘stressful’ contract debacle

Just days away from the Super Netball grand final, Adelaide Thunderbirds star Eleanor Cardwell has called out the league’s ‘stressful’ ongoing contract issues.

Thunderbirds star Eleanor Cardwell has called out Super Netball ongoing contract issues. Picture: Getty Images.

Her breakout Super Netball season has helped the Adelaide Thunderbirds break a decade-long finals drought to surge into Saturday’s grand final but Eleanor Cardwell has no certainty about whether that will help her secure another contract in the league.

The England goaler has been a revelation for the T-Birds this season, handing them the piece of the puzzle that has been missing for them to be a finals contender.

Regardless of whether she wins a title on Saturday night, Cardwell wants to return to Australia next season.

Thunderbirds star Eleanor Cardwell has called out Super Netball ongoing contract issues. Picture: Getty Images.

But like each of the 80 full-time contracted players in the league, she is in limbo, waiting for Netball Australia to announce an eighth team for the next season - to replace the now-defunct Collingwood Magpies.

The players must wait until clubs sign Team Participation Agreements and the league and players’ association agree to a Collective Player Agreement before the signing window can open.

If that does not happen by July 14, contracting will be delayed until after the World Cup.

Teams are currently allowed to have non-binding talks with their own players and Cardwell and in news that will be music to the ears of Adelaide fans, the T-Birds have discussed the return of their top shooter.

But until there is a firm offer on paper, Cardwell has no certainty and faces the prospect of leaving Australia next week to help England prepare for the World Cup not knowing if she will return.

“I definitely hope to (return) but you just never know,” Cardwell said.

“Until it’s put down on paper and you sign on the dotted line, you just never know what can happen.

Cardwell’s future is up in the air, as the league’s signing window remains closed. Picture: Getty Images.

“And obviously we can’t we can’t do anything for certain until we know about these contracts and when the (signing) period’s going to be.

“So hopefully sooner than later because we’ve also got World Cup and you don’t really want to be thinking about that during the World Cup.

“I would love to be come back to Adelaide but we will just have to wait and see wait and see until we know further.”

Cardwell conceded it was a stressful situation for all players, regardless of whether clubs had indicated they wanted to re-sign players or not.

“Signing window is stressful. It’s always stressful no matter the situation, even if you think you’re the most certain player in that team, it’s still stressful,” she said.

“So no matter if it’ll be next week, it’ll open in three weeks or a month’s time, it’s stressful.

“I’ll be stressed obviously, because we don’t know what’s going on. Hopefully we can all just sort it out and we can go through it all together.”

A multiple title winner with Manchester Thunder in the UK Super League, Cardwell is a player accustomed to success and she brought those expectations with her for playing in Australia despite the Thunderbirds’ recent finals drought.

The England goaler has been a revelation for the T-Birds this season, but admits the uncertainty around her future is stressful just days out from the grand final. Picture: Getty Images.

“I did believe that we could do it and that was the goal all along (to play finals). But if I don’t believe it, then it was just a bit pointless being here really,” Cardwell said.

“I definitely had that belief from the start, especially after I first joined the girls and saw their work ethic and how hard they train and how much they’re willing to learn.”

Heading to Super Netball has helped Cardwell develop as a leader and mentor as much as a player and while leaving friends and family in the UK was a big leap, the 28-year-old would do it again in a blink.

“It’s a big commitment and look, I have missed home,” she said.

“But I don’t regret it at all. It’s been the best experience that I’ve ever had - I’ve had the best time, the best group of girls and made so many memories.

“I’ve just been enjoying my netball and I’ve been learning so, so much as well.

“I’ve just been absolutely loving it to be honest with you. It’s been it’s been great - and it’d be great to finish it off on a high as well definitely.”

Originally published as Super Netball grand final 2023: Adelaide Thunderbirds star Eleanor Cardwell’s future clouded amid ‘stressful’ contract debacle