Super Netball 2025: Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price opens up on her fresh start in Melbourne
Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price has revealed how happiness off the court drove her decision to leave the Giants and join a new club - which she hopes can spark two big years for Australia.
Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price has opened up on how her happiness off the court drove her decision to leave the Giants and join the Mavericks and why a new start in Melbourne can refresh her for a bumper two years ahead with the Australian team.
As the midcourt gun’s move to the Mavericks was confirmed, Price explained the “really hard decision” to leave the only Super Netball club she had played for after nine years to become the fledgling franchise’s marquee signing.
It was announced earlier this month Price would be released from the final year of her contract with the Giants to make the move to Melbourne to be with her partner, Collingwood AFL footballer Harry Perryman.
Price admitted she had found the “long distance thing” challenging with her and Perryman playing and living in different states this year and said being “happy off the court” was a priority for her.
“I’ve been in Sydney for nine years and I’ve had Julie (Fitzgerald, coach) since I was 18, so I’m excited for some change, a new coach, a new team, a new club and to be with Harry and be in a new city as well,” Price said.
“It was a really hard decision (to leave Giants) because I love the club and when you’re there from the beginning, it’s something really special and I’ve been so loyal to Jules and Joey (Harten) for so long.
“There was a lot happening last year with Harry and his contract negotiations and you always think that maybe we both would have been Giants for life, but I guess that wasn’t really the case.
“When he made the move to Collingwood, I thought, ‘Oh sh*t’ because I signed a three-year deal two years ago. But I was like, ‘Right, we’ll do the long distance thing and see how we go’. I think I learned pretty quickly that it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.
“For me, life is really important and to be able to have the balance and to be happy off the court and I guess to see if I could still be able to play netball in Melbourne and be with Harry that was a big priority for me.”
Price said she had been as “open and transparent” with the Giants as possible throughout the season and was grateful for the team’s support in allowing her release and for the Mavs to open their door.
“I had some chats with the club pretty early in the year just to let them know that obviously the circumstances had changed pretty quickly,” Price said.
“I was pretty honest with them and they have been amazing all year. I definitely tried my best, but I think you know and when you kind of made your decision in your mind, you just hope that the club would be really understanding but they have been so, so good.
“I’m very grateful that they were able to give me a release and obviously grateful that the Mavs are giving me an opportunity as well.”
After nine seasons at the one club, Price felt a fresh start in Melbourne could energise her game with two major Diamonds events on the horizon – the Commonwealth Games next year and then the Netball World Cup in Sydney in 2027.
“I’m excited to challenge myself in ways that I probably haven’t for a long time and just having a new voice that will challenge me,” Price said.
“I do feel like I’ve got a lot more in me, so I am really looking forward to that.
“There are so many key (Diamonds) events that are coming up in the next couple of years, so I want to be putting my best foot forward and really challenging myself.”
Price becomes the sixth confirmed signing for the Mavericks alongside defender Kim Brown, captain Amy Parmenter, goaler Shimona Jok, midcourter Molly Jovic and recruit Reilley Batcheldor.
The 29-year-old was excited with the list the Mavericks were assembling for next season and to join former Giants teammate Parmenter, and Jovic in the midcourt.
“Having Parmy and Molly there, they are obviously so experienced and very exciting midcourters. I’ve played with Parmy for a while now as well, so to be reunited with her, I’m excited,” Price said.
“To feed Shimona, that will be fun – it’s very different to what I’m used to at Giants – and Reilley, I feel like she will just add so much to the squad as well. She can shoot twos from anywhere.”
The Mavericks announced last week they were on the hunt for a new head coach after the departure of foundation mentor Tracey Neville.
While it is unclear if Mavs’ assistant coach Nicole Richardson will step up into the role, Price said the Diamonds’ assistant was also a key factor in her move.
“She (Richardson) was a massive draw card for me,” Price said.
“I really enjoy working with her in that (Diamonds) space and she challenges me and makes me think about so many different things defensively, so I am looking forward to working with her.
“Obviously it is a bit of a change not having Tracey, but I’m coming to Melbourne for a new opportunity and I will have a new coach no matter what.
“So looking forward to seeing who that is, whether that’s Richo or not, I know Richo will be around no matter what. So it will be great.”
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Originally published as Super Netball 2025: Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price opens up on her fresh start in Melbourne
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