Mavericks end three-month search naming Gerard Murphy as new head coach
The Mavericks have ended their prolonged hunt to replace Tracey Neville, with the unveiling of a coach who will break new ground in the female-dominated Super Netball competition.
Melbourne Mavericks have finally settled on a new Super Netball head coach – more than three months after the club announced the departure of Tracey Neville – appointing Vixens Academy mentor Gerard Murphy to the role.
After a prolonged search, which has stretched into the start of the team’s 2026 pre-season, the Mavericks confirmed on Monday that Murphy would become the club’s second head coach.
Having already extended her contract with the Mavericks in August, Nicole Richardson will continue to work as assistant coach alongside Murphy with what the club said would be “expanded responsibilities” while allowing her to balance her Diamonds’ commitments.
Murphy steps into the Mavericks’ head coach role after more than 15 years experience in the Victorian netball pathway.
He was head coach of the Vixens’ Academy in the Super Netball reserves competition this year and has been head and championship coach of the Geelong Cougars in the Victorian Netball League since 2014, winning multiple championships across various divisions.
Murphy, a former Australian under-23 men’s team captain, has also served as head coach of the Victorian men’s and mixed netball association since 2022.
He said he was eager to take his next coaching step into Super Netball.
“I’m honoured to take on this role and lead a program that values connection as much as performance,” Murphy said.
“The Mavs have a strong identity, and I’m looking forward to building on that with a system driven approach that supports athlete development and team cohesion.”
Murphy will become the second male head coach in the Super Netball ranks, joining West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan.
The Mavericks confirmed both Murphy and Richardson had agreed to two-year tenures with the club.
“This is an exciting moment for our club,” Mavericks’ general manager Shae Bolton-Brown said.
“We’ve chosen a coaching structure that plays to the strengths of both coaches and reflects our commitment to innovation.
“‘Gez’ and Richo have demonstrated outstanding synergy during this interim period, and we’re confident this model will give our athletes the best possible platform for success.”
The Mavs announced in early August foundation coach Neville would not be renewing her contract with the club and have been on the search for a coach since.
There has been speculation the Mavericks had been in talks with former Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua as the New Zealand coaching saga played out across the ditch.
Richardson also loomed as a likely replacement after extending her deal, but favoured a support role so she could juggle her assistant coaching role with the Diamonds ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup.
“I’m excited to continue my work with the Mavs in a capacity that enables me to build on the legacy and strong foundations established over the past two years, while also balancing my commitments with the Diamonds,” Richardson said.
“Gez and I have already developed a great working relationship, and I believe this shared model will bring out the best in our athletes and our program.”
Neville, the former England head coach, steered the Mavericks to 10 wins in the team’s first two seasons in the league, falling short of the finals both years.
More Coverage
Originally published as Mavericks end three-month search naming Gerard Murphy as new head coach
