Former Swifts captain Abbey McCulloch reporting for duty in Super Netball for Nine

Veteran midcourter Abbey McCulloch is far more nervous about her role off the netball court than she was a year ago leading the NSW Swifts into battle against the Giants in Super Netball.

Injured netballer Abbey McCulloch has a new role in the sport.

• Super Netball Guide: teams, player movement, fixture
• Swifts team guide for Super Netball
• Giants team guide for Super Netball

Veteran midcourter Abbey McCulloch is far more nervous about her role off the netball court this weekend than she was a year ago leading the NSW Swifts into battle against cross town rivals the Giants in Super Netball.

The former Swifts captain has snagged work as a sideline reporter for Super Netball 2019 with her first day on the job the Swifts and Giants local derby at Qudos Bank arena on Sunday.

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“Far more nervous. I’m probably more nervous because of the unknown,” said McCulloch of her new role with Nine’s netball commentary team.

Abbey McCulloch took a time out from netball due to injury.

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“I had been playing for years so it wasn’t so bad for me last year. But this commentary stuff I have never really done before. Never the big stage stuff, so I am more nervous.’’

Last year McCulloch lead the Swifts to an upset victory over the Giants - their first win in two seasons of Super Netball.

This year she is expecting an equally intense battle to kick off the two clubs Super netball season but perhaps with a slightly different outcome.

Gretel Tippett and Abbey McCulloch battling for teh ball last season.

Abbey McCulloch and Caitlyn Nevins in a clsoe contest last season.

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“People have been asking me this question all well and it’s tough,” McCulloch said of her pre-game tip.

“I am really torn on this. I look at the Giants attack and they are phenomenal. If Kim (Green) is good it will be a different game.

“But if they Swifts attacking end fires it will be tight. That said I think Giants will get across the line.’’

After two years as captain, McCulloch was late last year forced to take time away from netball to rehabilitate a chronic knee injury.

“I was disappointed,’’ she said. “I had been planning to have another couple of years.’’

McCulloch only recently returned to the court with the NSW Waratahs in the ANL, the feeder league to Super Netball.

“I had eight months off with no running, pretty much doing no leg stuff,’’ said McCulloch,

“I’m going out to play like I want another contract but whether or not is happens is another story.’’

ROUND ONE

Sunday

1pm

Quodos Bank Arena

Giants v NSW Swifts

TV: Nine, 9GEM in Perth