Super Netball: Mavericks goaler Eleanor Cardwell reveals comeback plans after knee surgery

Melbourne Mavericks goaler Eleanor Cardwell has conceded that she should not have lined up for national duties at last year’s Test Series, revealing she instead needed knee surgery.

Melbourne Mavericks goaler Eleanor Cardwell has conceded she should not have taken to the court for the start of last year’s internationals for England against the Diamonds as she revealed her comeback plans from knee surgery.

The foundation Mavericks goal shooter is unlikely to feature in the Super Netball pre-season Team Girls Cup in Adelaide next week, but she is still targeting a Round 1 return against the Sunshine Coast Lightning in early April.

Cardwell underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear last October after aggravating a knee injury at the start of the September Test series between the Roses and Diamonds.

The English international featured only in the first Test against Australia – lasting just one quarter – before she was ruled out of the rest of the three-Test series.

Eleanor Cardwell admits she shouldn’t of played for England last year. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Cardwell injured her knee during her preparations for the international series and conceded she had erred in pushing herself to play for the Roses.

“It was worse than I thought it was,” Cardwell said.

“I was trying to play in that Australia series and it turns out I really needed the surgery.

“I did know it was (a) meniscus (injury), but so many girls play with meniscus tears in different sports and what not.

“For me, it was just too painful to carry on. In that (first) quarter, I was playing with one leg and just trying my best to get through.

“It probably wasn’t ideal for me … I shouldn’t have played, but that was me just pushing myself and I just wanted to play for England.

“Every single opportunity I get to put on the red dress, it means the world to me.”

The surgery forced a delayed start to pre-season preparations for Cardwell, but she recently made a return to courtwork with her Mavericks’ teammates.

Cardwell said the pre-season tournament in Adelaide would likely be “too soon” for her, but she remained confident of taking to the court for the Mavericks’ opening round clash.

“It’s progressing really well … we are hoping to be ready for the start of the season,” the 30-year-old said.

Eleanor Cardwell is aiming for a Round 1 Super Netball return from knee surgery for the Melbourne Mavericks. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“Obviously whenever it comes to any injuries, you can come along bumps in the road, so you never want to get your hopes up.

“But I am training super hard to get to that Round 1 (match). So far, touch wood, there has not been any issues and I’m hoping to continue on that trajectory.

“(Team Girls Cup) is a little bit too soon. When I had my surgery, it was a six-month (recovery), so there is no point rushing it.”

Cardwell is one of three Mavericks’ players on the comeback trail from injury along with fellow goaler Sasha Glasgow (broken leg) and defender Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore), who is recovering from ACL surgery

The Mavs defied the twin pre-season campaign-ending injuries to Glasgow and Parkinson to narrowly miss the Super Netball finals in their first year in the competition.

Cardwell was excited to see what the team was capable of in year two, tipping them to be contenders.

“The fact we were in the race for finals in our first season and (with) all the terrible luck we had with injuries, I am really excited for this season because imagine what we can do if we didn’t have any of those and fingers crossed we don’t,” Cardwell said.

Eleanor Cardwell was one of the Melbourne Mavericks’ big-name recruits for the team’s first season in Super Netball. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“The girls are all looking super fit and so connected on court. I can’t tell you how much easier it is this year coming in, knowing that we actually know each other, we actually know each others’ names for a start, but also personalities.

“It’s just an incredibly exciting group and I definitely think that we have the winning mentality now and we can take it all the way.”

Cardwell was one of the big-name signings for the new Melbourne Super Netball franchise under former England coach Tracey Neville, leaving the Adelaide Thunderbirds after their 2023 premiership win.

She admitted it had been a “really difficult decision” to leave the Thunderbirds, but felt she had grown as a player on and off the court in the first season with the fledgling club.

“Not many people can say they have been a part of an inaugural season and … no one can take that away from me now,” Cardwell said.

“I took so much out of last season. I have probably grown more as a netballer and as a person on and off the court in this one year at Mavs.

“It was a really good year to be honest and I can’t wait to keep building on all that growth from last year and keep learning and becoming an even better Mavs team this year.”