West Coast Fever recruit Romelda Aiken-George is adamant she can deliver in her Super Netball return, just five months after announcing her retirement.
Aiken-George has stepped in to fill the massive shoes of six-time Super Netball MVP Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who will miss the 2026 season due to pregnancy.
Get all the latest netball news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
It’s a big call for both the Fever and Aiken-George who retired at the end of July after 18 seasons and more than 240 league games.
“I am here to help the team achieve another championship,” the 196cm Jamaican goaler said.
“Everything starts from pre-season so my job now is just to take everything in, one day at a time really.
“The thought that someone else thinks I am good enough to compete – I’m very excited for the opportunity.
Fowler-Nembhard to miss 2026 season | 01:16
“For Dan (Ryan, Fever coach) and Sara (Francis-Bayman, Fever GM) to reach out to me, I feel like they still see potential.
“Maybe my story is not quite finished yet.”
But the 2024 premiership MVP has already been forced to defend her new deal at what will be her fourth club after spending time at the Queensland Firebirds, NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds.
“To everyone mad that Fever signed me, breathe. If I’m not your favourite or you can’t bring yourself to say something positive, that’s fine. Opinions are free, even when they’re empty,” she posted on social media.
“But let’s get one thing straight: I don’t owe any of you proof. I know the player I am, the work I out in and the job I came here to do.
“So if you’re in the comments throwing little tantrums, maybe stop acting tough online and start acting like someone who actually loves the sport.
“Don’t like me? Cool. I’m still here. I’m still signed. And I’m still going to show up for my team while you show up in the comments with zero impact.
“I compete on court, not in the gutter with low-mindset trolls. So stay mad I’ll stay booked.”
Fowler-Nembhard’s pregnancy announcement ensures she will miss the 2026 season – and likely the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow starting in July.
Although the Jamaican superstar has yet to officially rule herself out.
“I don’t feel like this is the time to retire from netball for me and with God’s will I am looking forward to coming back,” she said.
And she was full of praise for her compatriot who sits second on Super Netball’s all-time scoring list.
“She has so much to bring – she is such a talented player. She is so experienced,” Fowler-Nembhard praised.
“I’m super excited to see her … there couldn’t be a better player to represent me.
“Her intensity when she’s playing, how physical she is, how strong she is … people have to really pay her that respect when she steps out on that court.”
International netball will return in early February when the Australian Diamonds take on Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls in a three-Test series starting Adelaide.
The tour will then head to Perth on February 8 before finishing in Melbourne.
Discussion about this post