Super Netball off-season roster changes: The bargain buy at every club

As the NSW Swifts showed with their astute pick-up of Romelda Aiken George the right off-season buy can make your season – these are the players at each club attracting rival attention.

Romelda Aiken George has arguably been the buy of the season for the NSW Swifts. With every player in the league about to come off contract, we look at seven players that rival clubs will be circling in the off-season.

Thrown on the Super Netball scrap heap by the Queensland Firebirds in the off-season, Aiken George was picked up initially as a training partner by the NSW Swifts before helping drive their minor premiership-winning campaign.

We’ve singled out a fringe player from each club that rivals are likely to be eyeing off as a bargain-priced starter who can improve their standing in 2024.

Tayla Fraser of the Swifts. Picture: Getty Images

NSW Swifts: Tayla Fraser

Versatile enough to play across all three midcourt positions, Fraser has forced her way into the Swifts starting line-up more often than not this season, playing alongside Diamonds squad members Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud at wing defence. She’s also a dynamic wing attack and centre and ready to step up as a regular starter. Unlikely to want to leave the Swifts but will be in demand.

Tayla Williams of the Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty Images for Netball Australia

Adelaide Thunderbirds: Tayla Williams

Luring the born and bred South Australian away from the Thunderbirds – especially given their recent breakthroughs – would be enormously difficult. But that’s unlikely to stop rival clubs trying to entice the midcourter to make a switch for season 2024. Good netball IQ and strong in the big moments, she made the play that won the ball back for the T-Birds in the dying seconds of their semi-final clash, sending her stocks soaring.

West Coast Fever: Jordan Cransberg

In a successful and tight West Coast Fever squad, could the attraction be for a player that’s currently outside the full-time contracted list? Certainly in the opportunities she’s been given this season, midcourter Cransberg has not looked out of place. If offered a chance to start at a rival club, the former Victorian Fury member could jump at the chance.

Hannah Mundy of the Vixens. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne Vixens: Hannah Mundy

Diamond-in-waiting Mundy has muscled her way into the starting line-up on several occasions this season, pushing Australian captain Liz Watson out of her preferred wing attack position and into centre, with Kate Moloney at wing defence. Coach Simone McKinnis has an embarrassment of riches in the midcourt, with Kate Eddy also a regular starter and it’s likely other clubs could be circling in the off-season.

Annie Miller of the Lightning. Picture: Getty Images

Sunshine Coast Lightning: Annie Miller

The dynamic mid finished the season coming off the bench but spent plenty of time on the floor this season, expanding her skills in the midcourt and establishing herself as a player to watch. Incredibly quick with good decision-making skills, the former Giants Academy player is likely to be in Belinda Reynolds’ plans at the Lightning but could also be on the radar of rivals.

Matisse Letherbarrow of the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

Giants Netball: Matisse Letherbarrow

The all-international shooting end of Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer has served the Giants well over the past few years but Letherbarrow showed she has all the tools necessary to step up when given a chance by the Giants with Harten out injured for much of the season. Shooting spots are hard to come by but could one of the clubs come knocking for a player as comfortable with the super shot as she is in regular time.

Gabi Simpson of the Firebirds. Picture: Getty Images

Queensland Firebirds: Gabi Simpson

Big call here but there were a few signs during the season that Bec Bulley could be looking at generational change at the Firebirds with former captain Simpson spending plenty of time on the bench. The specialist wing defence may not offer the variety many coaches are now looking for in their midcourt but the former Diamond’s leadership and enthusiasm could be just as important to teams as her on-court nous.

Originally published as Super Netball off-season roster changes: The bargain buy at every club