Former Australian star Renae Ingles returns to Super Netball after three years

Australian NBA star Joe Ingles was courtside in Melbourne as his wife made a return from the clouds for the Magpies.

Renae Ingles made a surprise Super Netball return for the Magpies. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Chaos reigned supreme in the final game of the regular season as the Collingwood Magpies lost 56-54 to the ladder-leading Vixens in a loud Melbourne derby but still secured a semi-final berth next week courtesy of a last-second miss.

It was a very different Magpies team that took the court, with co-captain Ash Brazill, star defender Jodi-Ann Ward and mid-courter Maggie Lind all ruled out of the match due to Covid protocols, along with coach Nicole Richardson.

Their absence required a left-of-centre response that came in the form of 35-year-old former Australian Diamond Renae Ingles, who was a surprise inclusion for the Magpies.

Ingles, who retired in 2019, picked up a game in the Victorian Netball League during the week while back in town on a whirlwind trip with her NBA star husband Joe, who was courtside watching.

“No one’s more blown away or surprised than me,” Ingles told Fox Sports after finding her way on court during the first half.

LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Always in shape, opportunity comes. Take it and run @RenaeIngles. Enjoy it out there ❤️ https://t.co/Z7nMjwjqfN

— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) June 13, 2022

"No one's more blow away or surprised than me"

It's great to have you back Renae!

📺 #SSNMagpiesVixens on @Foxtel CH 505 or stream on @kayosportspic.twitter.com/6A51tOu0Bh

— Fox Netball (@fox_netball) June 13, 2022

But the drama wasn’t contained to Ingles and her insertion in to the match in the second quarter, with the make-up of the first week of the finals coming down to the last shot of the match.

The Vixens had already secured the minor premiership and a home semi-final regardless of the result of this match, but it was a different story for the Magpies, who needed a win or a very close loss to hold on to their position in the top four.

The Magpies had levelled scores in the final quarter but then trailed by two goals with time running out and had to hold their breath as Vixens ‘goaler Mwai Kumwenda lined up a two-point shot that would have eliminated them from the finals.

But the long-range attempt missed as the siren sounded with Collingwood players and staff anxious to know what their fate was, before the best news possible was revealed and they had secured their first finals appearance since the 2019 season.

“I looked at the results and I thought it was two (goals) and we were done, then I saw Kelsey (Browne‘s) face as she was like ’no, we’ve done it’ and then that was it. Emotions? Gone,” Magpies star Geva Mentor told Fox Netball.

Vixens and Australian captain Liz Watson was one of her side’s best against the Magpies. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

FINAL CALCULATIONS

The Magpies held on to their top four position by the skin of their teeth, meaning they will head to Sydney next week to take on Giants Netball in the minor semi-final, keeping the NSW Swifts out of contention.

The Vixens meanwhile will host the West Coast Fever in the major semi-final, with the winner progressing straight to the grand final in Perth on Sunday, July 3.

JOVIC TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Kate Moloney will retain her spot in the Australian Diamonds midcourt after a Quad Series win earlier this year. However, today it was her lesser-known opposition centre Molly Jovic who had the ascendancy, keeping Moloney quiet with a solid all-round performance that resulted in Moloney being shifted into wing defence and the dominant Watson taking over the centre position.

Renae Ingles made a stunning comeback. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

INGLES RETURNS

The inclusion of Renae Ingles was the biggest talking point in a round full of talking points. During a whirlwind trip to Australia from her home in Utah, Ingles played in the Victorian Netball League during the week before getting a surprise call-up to the Magpies squad.

Despite retiring from netball in 2019, Ingles showed no signs that she’d lost any fitness or nouse – the task of matching up on Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson was a tough one, but the 35-year-old performed admirably.