Super Netball finals 2023: Romelda Aiken George shapes as one of the season’s best recruits

Romelda Aiken George was sensationally axed by the Queensland Firebirds last season but her move to NSW is shaping as a masterstroke that could lead to a Swifts premiership.

The player contracted as a bargain-basement insurance policy has turned out to be one of the most influential goalers in the competition this season – and Romelda Aiken George will have a major say in whether her team remains in the running for a Super Netball premiership.

When Aiken George was axed by the Firebirds last season, it seemed her storeyed national league career had come to an end.

But what seemed an audacious plan by NSW Swifts coach Briony Akle to lure the record-breaking goaler south as back-up for the injured Sam Wallace, now looks a masterstroke.

A new mother, Aiken George moved states with infant daughter Gianna, while husband Daniel remained in Brisbane for work and other family commitments.

Romelda Aiken George’s move to the NSW Swifts looks like a masterstroke

Akle still marvels at the bravery.

“The courage to say yes,” Akle said.

“It’s like me saying I would come back and play social netball – no chance in hell.

“It’s so brave.”

After sitting out last season on maternity leave, Aiken George’s contract was not renewed by the Firebirds and the Swifts pounced when they realised she was on the open market – even if only to offer a role as a training partner given Wallace’s expected return.

“You can’t discard someone that’s got three premierships (and played in five grand finals), even just her experience coming in,” Akle said.

“The fact that she’s so tall and physically present – why would you not (try and get her).”

It wasn’t just a one-way relationship though.

After feeling she was left on the scrap heap by the Firebirds – Aiken George said she was told her return was “too risky”, a claim Netball Queensland vehemently denied – the goaler was desperate to continue her career, both to play the two games needed to join the 200 club and to push for a call-up to the Jamaican team for the World Cup.

“She had a World Cup dangling, so it worked for both parties,” Akle said.

“We were able to say, well, we’ll get you fit again, you’ll be in a great environment, where these guys are super supportive.”

Recovering from a catastrophic knee injury, Wallace – who underwent a reconstruction after rupturing her ACL, PCL, medial ligaments and tearing her meniscus in the opening game of the season last year – was expected to play after the first month to six weeks of the season.

“(Aiken George) and Sammy are great mates and that’s the other bonus,” Akle said.

“Sammy wanted her to do well, Romelda wanted Sam to do well.”

Romelda Aiken-George could well play in a Super Netball premiership for the Swifts. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But a couple of setbacks in a difficult rehabilitation for Wallace have meant fellow holding shooter Aiken George has played the entire season, underlining her status in the game when landing her 8000th national league goal earlier this month.

Certainly her Swifts teammates have welcomed Aiken George to the fold.

Fellow shooter Helen Housby, who has been in career-best form this season, said she was “ecstatic” when she found out Aiken George would be joining the club.

“A player like Romelda, essentially getting her for free as a training partner, it’s a no-brainer,” Housby said.

“And I think it was a masterstroke by Briony.

“Whether or not Sam was going to be available was a little bit unsure and I think us as players and the coaching staff, nobody really knew how her knee was going to react to certain amounts of training.

“She did quite a number on it, so it’s not just a simple ACL and it is a very complex rehab.

“I think regardless of whether Sam had been available this season for a few games, it probably would have been great to have Romelda anyway because she can provide so much support and so much back-up.

Romelda Aiken-George with former pro-basketballer husband Daniel Georg with baby Gianna.

“And given how it’s played out that Sam hasn’t been able to take to the court, she’s just been the perfect starting goal shooter for us and couldn’t have really gone any better.

“So I think it was great recruitment and I was over the moon when I found out she was going to come down.”

Aiken George faces her biggest test of the season on Saturday night when the Swifts take on the West Coast Fever in the preliminary final for a place in the July 8 decider.

Diamonds goalkeeper Courtney Bruce – the difference for the defending premiers in their knockout final win against the Melbourne Vixens last weekend – will line up on Aiken George in what is expected to be a pitched battle.

Bruce certainly won’t have things all her own way on Saturday, with Aiken George displaying all the skill and nous that has carried her through 16 seasons at the top level.

Regardless of the result on Saturday, Akle knows she made a great call in the off season – for the Swifts and for Aiken George.

“I’m just happy for her – really happy for her,” Akle said.

“She’s a find and she’s done a great job.”