Super Netball: Melbourne Mavericks star goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell undergoes knee surgery

Melbourne Mavericks suffered a horror run with injuries in the lead-up to their first Super Netball campaign last pre-season and now another star faces a delayed start to 2025 preparations after going under the knife.

Melbourne Mavericks goaler Eleanor Cardwell will have a delayed start to her pre-season preparations for the team’s second Super Netball campaign after undergoing knee surgery for an injury aggravated on international duties.

The star England goal shooter recently underwent what the Mavericks described as “minor knee surgery” for an injury which flared during last month’s Test series between the Roses and the Diamonds.

Cardwell featured only in the first Test against Australia before she was ruled out of the rest of the three-Test series.

Eleanor Cardwell playing for the Roses in the first Test against the Australian Diamonds. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The Mavericks said Cardwell was recovering well and was expected to be able to return to playing early in 2025.

“I’m thankful that the surgery went well, and am looking forward to getting stuck into my rehab and getting back on court as soon as possible,” Cardwell said.

The Mavericks will return to start their pre-season in November.

Cardwell was one of the big-name signings for the new Melbourne Super Netball franchise under coach Tracey Neville.

The Mavericks fell just short of a finals berth in their debut season, finishing fifth.

The league newcomers will have two other players on the injury comeback trail for 2025.

Goaler Sasha Glasgow (fractured leg) and defender Lauren Moore (ACL) were both injured before the team’s first campaign had even started during last pre-season.

Originally published as Super Netball: Melbourne Mavericks star goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell undergoes knee surgery