Super Netball transfers: Bianca Chatfield on the 11th player revolution and who your club could sign

A Super Netball transfer revolution is coming. Bianca Chatfield names the players who could be on the move and the bargain signings every club should be eyeing.

This Super Netball season has brought about many changes to line-ups, some due to injuries, others due to form.

But as we get deeper into the season, there are several players who will be “hot property” come recruiting time — and many of them aren’t who you’d expect.

While clubs can sign their current listed players whenever they like, they’re not allowed to officially talk to players contracted elsewhere.

Don’t be fooled though – the official “talking” that isn’t allowed can happen through managers, and there will be plenty of conversations going on in the background between general managers and player representatives. Plenty.

THE 11TH PLAYER REVOLUTION

What’s particularly fascinating this season is how teams have been using their listed 11th players more than ever before.

This strategic shift is giving clubs unprecedented flexibility over their weekly selections – in a more abundant world, we’d have 12 contracted players, but the reality right now is 10 and one.

Take the Swifts and their midcourt rotations. Grace Whyte, their 11th player, has played in 11 of 12 possible games this season, averaging 23.3 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, Sophie Fawns, a contracted top-10 player, has only featured in three games with an average of just 12.7 minutes.

The numbers tell a story that challenges traditional thinking about roster construction, but also begs the question, would Fawns be better placed at another club?

Grace Whyte has averaged more than 23 minutes a game.

Zoe Cransberg has stepped up for the Fever.

The Mavericks present another compelling case study. Jessie Grenvold has been super impressive this year, really earning some “hot property” status with her court impact.

Averaging 25.7 minutes per game across 10 of 12 matches for the Mavs, she’s proving that opportunity often trumps original roster positioning.

You can’t imagine the Mavericks letting her go anywhere else, but that means they need to move someone on from their list of 10 next season. A team that has a lot of contract positions that need to be signed for 2026.

And then you have Lucy Austin, a contracted top 10 player, and a two-time premiership winner with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

She has only appeared in two games this season, the last being round 3, a total of 25 minutes for the year.

Sophie Casey (left) tries to pull off an intercept.

This has gifted Sophie Casey an opportunity and for her time and effort she has now gained valuable experience – appearing in 8 matches at an average of 35.7 mins.

And to throw another smokey into the mix, Zoe Cransberg, the West Coast Fever 11th player has earned her stripes this season.

She has appeared in nine games alongside her twin Jordan, averaging 18 minutes.

She’s a consistent performer but yet to really show her full potential and you have to wonder if a move for a more permanent position would help her development?

THE FINANCIAL REALITY

Here’s where it gets interesting from a market perspective. These 11th-listed players earn half the minimum wage – around $23,000 for their six-month contracts, compared to the 12-month deals top 10 players negotiate.

That’s a stark difference considering the minutes and impact some are delivering.

Jessie Grenvold vies for the ball with Helen Housby. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

This pay disparity creates a fascinating dynamic. Players like Whyte, Grenvold, Cransberg and even Casey — are essentially proving their worth on bargain contracts while outperforming higher-paid teammates.

Come season’s end, they become unrestricted free agents, and clubs will be circling.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE MARKET

The minute this season concludes, these 11th players are fair game for all clubs. Given their proven court time and impact, expect a feeding frenzy. Teams that have invested heavily in underperforming contracted players will be looking at these emerging talents as cost-effective solutions.

This trend also raises questions about traditional roster construction. If your 11th player is getting more meaningful minutes than your contracted starters, what does that say about talent evaluation and salary cap allocation?

The ripple effects will be felt across the league. Clubs may start viewing 11th player positions less as developmental spots and more as strategic roster weapons.

Paige Hadley and Teigan O'Shannassy.

Will we see more established players willing to take these contracts as stepping stones and more clubs taking calculated risks on players who might have been overlooked in previous seasons?

As we head into the business end of the season, keep an eye on these under-the-radar performers.

Their current contracts might be modest, but their market value is skyrocketing with every strong performance.

Abigail Latu-Meafou has shown she has what it takes.

Other players not specifically in the 11th player zone, but I think will be hot property: Teigan O’Shannassy (Swifts); Austin is an obvious mover (if Romelda Aitken George continues); Allie Smith would be an interesting commodity for teams, as could Verity Simmonds (Swifts) for a club in need of an experienced midcourter; and Abigail Latu – Meafou for the Firebirds has certainly shown she has what it takes to compete.

The Mavericks have only signed two players – Kim Browne and Amy Parmenter in 2026, so plenty of movement could happen there.

Originally published as Super Netball transfers: Bianca Chatfield on the 11th player revolution and who your club could sign