After Netball Australia’s announcement that six million people had tuned into Suncorp Super Netball in 2021, it is no surprise that the code’s silly season has attracted plenty of interest.
But with literally every player coming off contract, it has been a truly exciting period as many speculate who will go where all the while trying to understand those darn riddles or if Harry Styles will sign at NSW Swifts.
So far, we’ve had one major shock – a left-field announcement we didn’t see coming.
The first shock
Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Maddy McAuliffe effectively announced her retirement from the professional game to continue in her work in the legal field.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be offered another contract at Lightning for the 2022 season and I thank the Club for that, but this year I’ve made one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” McAuliffe said.
“Essentially the decision was either to continue playing netball or to focus on my non-netball professional career – and while it was a really tough choice for me to make, I have chosen to appreciate the five years I’ve had at the Club and move onto the next phase of my life.
“I feel so grateful for the past five years and the opportunities this Club has presented me, the people I’ve met, the relationships I’ve built and the home I’ve built on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Lightning #8 Maddy McAuliffe
She follows Peace Proscovia (TBA), Phumza Maweni (TBA) and Binnian Hunt (Pulse, NZ) out of Sunshine Coast.
Firebirds sign a Vixen? Vixens sign a NSW star?
Queensland Firebirds and Melbourne Vixens are playing with our hearts.
It all started with a simple enquiry to Australia Post.
And it ended up in chaotic speculation.
Fans have long speculated that if Em Mannix re-signed to remain in the defensive circle, it may mean Kadie-Ann Dehaney could look elsewhere for opportunities.
Mannix and goal defender Jo Weston have both been key parts of the Vixens over the past few years, well and truly complicated by Dehaney’s rise and rise to stardom.
Coach Simone McKinnis has had to find a way to use all three – but will Dehaney leave to find more court time?
Well, up in Brisbane, a tragic ACL injury to Tara Hinchliffe may have coach Megan Anderson wondering who may be best to come into the system.
Do they go after a Dehaney to shore up the defensive end? If they do, she would likely pair with goal defence Kim Jenner, which poses some questions for goal keeper Rudi Ellis.
She finished off the season, has earned a call up to the Diamonds Development Squad, but is a move on the cards for the Victorian pathway player?
Back to Vixens, Kaylia Stanton is out. The club may be looking for a Goal Attack to partner goaler Mwai Kumwenda.
Ruby Barkmeyer is still developing and Rahni Samason is pushing for a spot on the roster but is still a handful of games into her career, so could Vixens be looking to GIANTS Netball for an answer in 2022?
GIANTS have a recovering Kiera Austin and standout sensation youngster Sophie Dwyer who played GA all season with shooter Jo Harten.
Someone won’t get court time, so could it be the right timing for Vixens to secure a huge name?
Don’t forget, two-time premiership goaler Sophie Garbin is out of contract. The shooter-in-waiting might trigger a series of movements we weren’t quite expecting – who knows where she’ll land?
Or are they looking elsewhere?
What we do know
The one thing we do know, most clubs are looking to lock in a majority of their rosters from 2021.
And today started with a very exciting name…
Categories: Opinion, Suncorp Super Netball
