Super Netball trades: Latest players movements and signing news for next season
South African star Karla Pretorius will be looking to repay Sunshine Coast Lightning for their support during her pregnancy when she returns after the club finalised next season’s roster.
Sunshine Coast Lightning have finalised their Super Netball roster for next season after South African international Karla Pretorius confirmed she would return from maternity leave to take up the second year of her contract.
Pretorius, who last month gave birth to her first child, daughter Kara, sat out the opening season of her two-year deal on maternity leave, watching on as the club fell out of the Super Netball finals for the first time and ultimately collected the wooden spoon.
But she will return to the Coast early next year — following what she hopes is a return to the international arena with the Proteas at the Quad Series in England next January.
Just a week after pregnant veteran shooter Romelda Aiken-George announced she had not been offered a contract by the Queensland Firebirds, Pretorius was full of praise for the Lightning’s support during her pregnancy.
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The defender had been open about the fact she and husband Werner were hoping to start a family, and had appreciated their support and backing.
“I was honest with the fact that we wanted to try and fall pregnant with the club. The club was very supportive of this,” Pretorius said.
“My intention always was to return for the 2023 season, hence why I was offered a two-year deal last year. I appreciated the support I received from Lightning.”
The break has given Pretorius more than a family.
A foundation Lightning player, Pretorius has spent the season half a world away from family and friends for the past six years and spending quality time at home in South Africa has rejuventated the 32-year-old and rekindled her desire to help the Lightning to another title.
“I’m really valuing this post-season and this year that I just really took a step away from netball and just being home with my family and being a bit normal,” Pretorius said.
“I really feel like it’s something I’ve longed for over a period of time just to have a bit of a break away just to create that need to return.
“It’s a real positive that I want to return, I’m looking forward to returning, which is always a sign that you’re doing the right thing now and wanting to keep on playing.”
Pretorius is keen to mentor the young defenders that joined the Lightning in her absence and work with Tara Hinchliffe and Kadie-Ann Dehaney but said with that pair plus Kate Walsh on deck, she could not expect to waltz straight back into the starting side.
“For me, it’s not just returning, you want to return and still be competitive,” she said.
“Not any position is a given. Knowing that we have quality defenders within our team, I’m not just going to be walking in there back to where I was. It’s going to require a lot of hard work — which I’m willing to do and going to do and looking forward to that challenge.”
Confirmation of Pretorius’s return marks the completion of Lightning’s squad after they re-signed rising midcourter Annie Miller for next year.
The Firebirds are the only team looking to complete their full-time roster, needing two defenders and a midcourter to round out their list.
Vixens round out squad with livewire defender
Livewire defender Olivia Lewis has re-signed with the Melbourne Vixens, completing the minor premiers squad for 2023.
The remaining nine squad members signed the maximum two-year deals ahead of the 2022 season, committing them for 2023.
Crossing from West Coast Fever ahead of the 2022 season, Lewis made her Vixens debut in Round 1 and had an impact every time she took the court through the season.
Her speed, elevation and footwork saw the 23-year-old create turnovers and pick up crucial intercepts and deflections against some of the competition’s most prolific shooters.
Head coach Simone McKinnis said she was thrilled to be going into the new season with the same squad.
“Liv brings great energy to our team environment, she’s dynamic and exciting with her elevation and read of the game, so I’m really pleased she’ll be part of the Vixens again next year,” McKinnis said.
“We had a strong season and I believe we can really build on it and improve again. I’m proud of our growth this season and the hard work every member of our team put in – and we know we have the depth, the talent and the work ethic to improve and give ourselves every chance to go one better in 2023.”
MELBOURNE VIXENS 2023 SQUAD
Kiera Austin
Kate Eddy
Mwai Kumwenda
Olivia Lewis
Emily Mannix
Kate Moloney
Hannah Mundy
Rahni Samason
Liz Watson
Jo Weston
Other trade news
In other trade news, Magpies have on Thursday night confirmed the signing of Lightning player Maddie Hinchliffe and the re-signing of Jacqui Newton.
YOUNG GUN OVER THE MOON TO BE ‘BACK IN PINK’
Exciting young midcourter Tayla Williams will be back in pink for the 2023 season and ready to put on her best performance yet after getting long awaited answers for a debilitating medical issue.
Williams, 21, has fast made a name for herself in the Super Netball competition, after first debuting for the Thunderbirds as a training partner in 2020.
She picked up her first full-time contract with the club this year and coach Tania Obst considered the rookie a vital piece of the puzzle, adding her to their contract 10 for 2023 – the final piece of the Thunderbirds team.
Williams starred in 12 of the 14 games, finishing the season with 95 assists, 14 intercepts and 21 deflections.
Relief was what Williams felt when Obst told her they wanted her back next year.
“I’m over the moon to be in the pink again,” Williams said.
Thunderbirds came close to earning their first Super Netball finals berth but just couldn’t quite pull off big wins when needed at the back end of the season.
“I thought we showed promises of what we could do last year and we got close sometimes but I think being able to keep the majority of the playing group together that we can be successful next year,” Williams said.
Normally after a Super Netball season finishes Williams would pack a bag for the under-17s or under-19s national camps, before taking a short break and getting stuck back into pre-season.
The extra time this season allowed Williams to get a long-running medical issue investigated and treated through surgery last week – finally confirming what she has suspected for several years – endometriosis.
“It is something I suspected for a long time but I hadn’t actually had the surgery to confirm that,” Williams said.
“It was a bit of a peace of mind to know what you are dealing with, it wasn’t ideal but I guess it is done now and it is a bit of an easier avenue to try and navigate physically and mentally.”
Williams said she was willing to share her diagnosis with hope it might encourage at least one other person to seek help and put their health and wellbeing first.
After recovering from the surgery Williams will throw herself back into her double degree in Sport and Exercise and Nutrition and Food Science – which she hopes to finish before pre-season starts in October – something she doesn’t normally enjoy.
“In previous years when we gone back to national camps or premier league club training and only get a couple of weeks off before pre-season you don’t really get a chance to miss it. I’m starting to miss it a little bit now, already. So I think I’ll be well and truly ready to get back into it come pre-season,” Williams said.
Williams is the final player confirmed in the Thunderbirds contracted 10 for 2023 – joining Tippah Dwan, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Maisie Nankivell, Hannah Petty, Shamera Sterling, Latanya Wilson, Eleanor Cardwell and elevated training partner Lucy Austin.
Fever’s coup as Lightning cut fan favourite
An uncontracted Firebird has found a new home, Sunshine Coast Lightning have made their first move this trade season and Fever’s squad is now locked in.
In a busy 24 hours in Super Netball land, several clubs have made big announcements about their 2023 squads.
West Coast Fever have snapped up Firebirds defender Kim Jenner – who reportedly turned down a contract offer from the Queensland outfit.
Fever also confirmed that Emma Cosh has re-signed with the club for 2023 – the final piece of their squad.
Sunshine Coast Lightning made their first announcement of the trade season overnight revealing fan favourite Maddie Hinchliffe would not be joining the team next season.
Hinchliffe was originally named a training partner for the 2022 season, but was elevated on a Replacement Player contract in lieu of Karla Pretorius who was expecting her first child.
After managing a foot injury last year, and primarily recruited as a wing defence, Hinchliffe stepped up to play an impressive number of minutes during the 2023 season, mostly in centre.
Head Coach Kylee Byrne spoke highly of Maddie and thanked her for her contribution in 2022.
“To be elevated from a training partner position and end up starting the majority of matches and building that genuine second position is impressive, but it is the way Maddie went about it that will stay with me,” Byrne said.
“Great things happen to great people, especially those that put in the hard work, and we wish her nothing but success in the future. We genuinely thank her for everything she has given the Club in the past few years. Maddie will always be part of the Lightning family.”
Rivals on notice as T-Birds lock in lethal shooters
Thunderbirds are a step closer to finalising their team for 2023 confirming dynamic young shooter Tippah Dwan was staying with the Adelaide squad.
Dwan, 22, joined the Thunderbirds this season after making the move from the Queensland Firebirds.
The re-signing means Thunderbirds shooting circle is now complete with English recruit Eleanor Cardwell joining the ranks, Lucy Austin being elevated from a training partner role and versatile WA/GA Gerogie Horjus staying on board.
Thunderbirds’ High Performance Manager Pitre Bourdon said the club was pleased to welcome Dwan back for another year in pink.
“Tippah is a very dynamic mover and adds another element of versatility to our shooting end,” Bourdon said.
“She settled into our group seamlessly and we look forward to continuing to work with her again in 2023.”
Dwan said she couldn’t wait to play with the Thunderbirds once again in 2023.
“I really loved my first year down in Adelaide, with a great bunch of girls who really welcomed me into the team,” Dwan said.
“I’m so excited to see what we can achieve together on the court next season.”
Dwan joins already contracted Thunderbirds Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Maisie Nankivell, Hannah Petty, Shamera Sterling, and Latanya Wilson on the club’s list for 2023, as well as recently announced recruit Eleanor Cardwell and elevated training partner Lucy Austin.
WHAT LEFT SHOCKED NEW TBIRD SPEECHLESS
Lucy Austin is still processing the news she will be donning the pink dress for her much loved hometown side Adelaide Thunderbirds next year but her first priority is to help her premier league side win a grand final.
Austin, 20, has been a training partner with the Thunderbirds for two years. The versatile shooter made her intentions clear when she stepped up for three Super Netball games this season – netting 103 goals with 89 per cent accuracy.
The homegrown talent has risen through the ranks, currently playing for Matrics in the South Australian Premier League Netball competition.
She is one of the most dangerous shooters in the premier league with 354 goals in her eight games for the Matrics this season, following on from the 2021 season where she scored a league-best 673 goals to be named the Most Valuable Player.
With two round games to go and Matrics sitting second on the ladder Austin is hopeful of another finals appearance.
Despite her impressive performances on court and shooter Lenize Potgieter parting ways with the club, Austin said she wasn’t confident of a contract offer when Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst called her in for a chat last week.
“I thought they could tell me I still need another year but also thought I could be in with a good chance,” Austin said.
“When Tania offered me the contract I just had lots of feelings and emotions.
“I was shocked and speechless to be honest they were like ‘you can say something’ but I was just so excited.”
Being rendered speechless by exciting news seems to run in the family though with Austin’s mum Meridith having the exact same reaction.
Austin, who spilt the beans to her sister before the rest of her family, caught her parents reaction on film.
They posed up as if taking a family photo and Austin said “say Lucy got a contract” – it took everyone a minute to realise what was actually happening.
And while her sister, brother and dad are quick to form a group hug her mum is left clearly in shock – before becoming slightly annoyed she wasn’t the first to know.
“Mum was speechless, then excited and a bit angry at me because I didn’t tell her earlier and dad (Scott) said it was the ‘best day of his life’,” Austin said.
Austin has been working towards a spot in a Super Netball side for eight years has finally come true.
She said she worked for a chance to follow in the footsteps of idol Caitlin Thwaites, since she was 12-years-old – when she earned her first representative call up.
“It was something I thought might never be possible,” Austin said.
She got a taste of it three times this year – coming up against some tough defenders including Magpies’ keeper and English international Geva Mentor.
“There is just so much more intensity in Super Netball and that standard and speed of the game is crazy different to playing premier league but I quickly got the hang of it,” Austin said.
“It is a big challenge but I’m excited to give it a crack.”
Austin has two rounds and hopefully a finals campaign to go in the premier league before playing in the week-long Australian Netball Competition.
The competition is a new-look pathway competition, running from August 22-28, for 10 teams from state and territory member organisations and Super Netball League clubs.
Austin will then get a short break before starting pre-season in November.
Three stars set for Super heartbreak
—Erin Smith
Big names on the out, rising talent given opportunities and returning stars the first week of the Super Netball trade season has had it all – with the results leaving some fans upset.
There are just 12 spots left to fill across the eight Super Netball side by July 22.
One of the biggest stars to miss a contract so far has been Firebirds stalwart Romelda Aiken-George.
The 33-year-old veteran took a year off due to being pregnant but was not offered a new contract for 2023 – it followed the Firebirds locking in the shooting trio of Gretel Bueta, Donnell Wallam and Mia Stower.
Firebirds have also waved goodbye to Eboni Usoro-Brown, Kim Jenner and Jemma Mi Mi.
It is understood Jenner has a contract with another SSN club but it is yet to be confirmed which one.
Thunderbirds win the prize for the biggest signing announcement so far picking Eleanor Cardwell.
The shooter, fresh off winning the Vitality Netball Super League with Manchester Thunder, will be a big boost to the T’Birds who had one of the lowest goal scoring rates this season.
Rising rookie Nyah Allen has been given the green light to join the Magpies shooting end. The training partner impressed when given the chance to fill-in this season.
Minor premiers Vixens look to return to 2023 with mostly an unchanged squad – fans are just waiting to learn if Olivia Lewis will be back in the squad.
BELOW: SEE EVERY TEAM’S ROSTER, FREE AGENTS AND UN-SIGNED PLAYERS
Swifts locked in rookie shooter Sophie Fawns, who was a replacement player for the injured Sam Wallace.
West Coast Fever will be without defender Stacey Francis-Bayman who announced she planned to retire following the Commonwealth Games.
Sunshine Coast Lightning have been the most mysterious this trading season yet to make any announcements – not surprising though with most of the squad already locked in for 2023.
Teams have until July 22 to confirm their starting 10. Training partners can then be signed from July 25.
HOW EVERY TEAM STANDS SO FAR
Thunderbirds - one spot left
Eleanor Cardwell – GS/GA
Georgie Horjus – GA/WA
Hannah Petty – C/WA
Maisie Nankivell – WD/C/WA
Latanya Wilson – GD/GK
Matilda Garrett – GD/GK
Shamera Sterling – GK
Lucy Austin — GS
Tippah Dwan - GS
Magpies - Two spots left
Shimona Nelson – GS/GA
Sophie Garbin – GS/GA
Nyah Allen – GA/GS
Kelsey Browne – WA/C
Molly Jovic – C/WA
Ash Brazill – WD/C
Jodi-Ann Ward – GD/WD
Geva Mentor – GK/GD
Giants - Complete
Jo Harten – GS/GA
Sophie Dwyer – GA/GS
Matisse Letherbarrow – GA/GS
Maddie Hay – WA/C/WD
Jamie-Lee Price – C/WD
Amy Parmenter – WD/C
Amy Sligar – WD/C
Lauren Moore – GK/GD/WD
April Brandley – GD/GK
Matilda McDonnell – GK/GD
Vixens - Complete
Mwai Kumwenda – GS/GA
Kiera Austin – GA/GS/WA
Rahni Samason – GS/GA
Liz Watson – WA/C
Kate Moloney – C/WD
Hannah Mundy – WA/C
Kate Eddy – WD/GD
Jo Weston – GD/WD
Emily Mannix – GK/GD
Olivia Lewis – GK/GD
Swifts - Complete
Sam Wallace – GS
Sophie Fawns – GS/GA
Helen Housby – GA/GS
Paige Hadley – C/WA/WD
Maddy Proud – C/WA
Tayla Fraser – WD/C
Allie Smith – WD/GD
Teigan O’Shannassy – GK/GD
Maddy Turner – GD/WD
Sarah Klau – GK/GD
Firebirds - Three spots left
Donnell Wallam – GS
Mia Stower – GA/GS
Gretel Bueta – GA/GS
Lara Dunkley – WA/C
Kim Ravaillion – C/WD
Gabi Simpson – WD
Ruby Bakewell-Doran – GD
Lightning - One spot left
Cara Koenen – GS/GA
Reilley Batcheldor – GA/GS
Steph Wood – GA/GS/WA
Laura Scherian – WA/C
Mahalia Cassidy – WD/C
Karla Pretorius – GD/WD
Kate Walsh – GD/GK
Tara Hinchliffe – GK/GD
Kadie-Ann Dehaney – GK
Fever - Two spots left
Jhaniele Fowler – GS
Sasha Glasgow – GA
Alice Teague-Neeld – WA/GA
Verity Simmons – C/WA
Jess Anstiss – WD/C
Sunday Aryang – GD
Courtney Bruce – GK/GD
Rudi Ellis – GK/GD
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