Paige Hadley confident about Swifts’ Super Netball hopes

The Swifts started 2024 as hot favourites but it came crumbling down after they lost two key players - for very different reasons. Paige Hadley believes this is the year for their fortunes to change.

Paige Hadley concedes the Swifts’ season last year was testing for both the club and her as a leader but believes a shuffle in personnel has brought a new perspective to a team that is determined to fight its way back into premiership calculations.

After making the 2023 grand final and winning last year’s pre-season competition, the Swifts were red-hot favourites to contend for a third Super Netball title.

But a group that was seen as arguably the competition’s closest experienced turmoil after the loss of goaler Sam Wallace-Joseph and injury to co-captain Maddy Proud and their finals hopes quickly unravelled.

The addition of world class Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke, exciting talent Sharni Lambden and veteran midcourter Verity Simmons, gave the Swifts a great group, on paper, for 2025.

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Paige Hadley believes the Swifts will be a much-improved outfit this season. Picture: Getty Images for Netball Australia

But it was time the group spent together in camp in the pre-season, that is likely to prove invaluable when testing moments arrive.

“Having three new players coming to the fold is pretty big for us, because we’ve been very stable and the same for so long,” Hadley said.

“So I think that time is just invaluable in terms of bringing those players in, and creating memories, and values and different ways of doing things with this group.

“I feel that we have been very similar for so long, so it’s kind of brought a fresh air, a new lens on different things, different perspectives, different strengths.

“It was awesome to have that time away to really get to know each other, start afresh and really build into what is hopefully an amazing season for us.”

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Paige Hadley and the Swifts endured a testing 2024 season, which came after a grand final appearance in 2023. Picture: Getty Images

Hadley said last season’s woes had forced her to be nimble as a leader and player, and bring her best knowing players in the team were looking up to her.

“I feel like it was one of those moments of the leader where you realise … you’ve got to be in the moment all the time,” she said.

“Things change so rapidly, whether it’s on the court or off the court. And it’s about being adaptable and bringing your best version, no matter what the circumstances around you, because the girls and team are looking towards you.”

The Swifts start the season with arguably the toughest test in the league, heading into Perth’s RAC Arena to face not just the Fever but the loud and proud green army, that is likely to top 10,000.

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Grace Nweke is a massive inclusion for the Swifts. Picture: Netball Australia

Verity Simmons is rerturning to netball via the Swifts. Picture: Netball Australia

They do so though with one of the world’s top shooters in their team, as well as ex-Fever midcourter and circle feeder Verity Simmons.

But it’s another Swifts recruit flying under the radar that Hadley feels could turn out to be one of the signings of the year, with former Vixens training partner Sharni Lambden, a likely starter at wing defence, one who could turn the tide for her new side this year.

“She’s honestly trained in the house down,” Hadley said.

“She has been so unlucky with timing (in terms of getting a full-time contract) and so I’m very much looking forward to seeing what she can do week-in, week-out, against the best players in the world.”