Super Netball’s insane six-day signing frenzy as new title favourites emerge: State of Play

Super Netball is in the midst of one of the wildest signing seasons in the competition’s history.

A long-running battle over a new Collective Player Agreement (CPA) meant that all 80 players came off contract on 30 September.

A new CPA was finally locked in on December 13, where kickstarting a chaotic six-day signing window. The contracting window closes today (Tuesday 19th) at 5pm AEDT – meaning all teams, including the league newcomers Melbourne Mavericks, must lock in 10 players for the new season.

The folding of the Collingwood Magpies and the arrival of the Mavericks, combined with the league-wide uncertainty for the last few months due to the CPA negotiations, has resulted in one of the largest transfer frenzies in Super Netball history.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Here’s the state of play for every team, with their confirmed signings for 2024 and their arrivals and departures.

After this contracting window closes, teams can sign training partners from Monday 8 January, with one of the training partners to be elected as a ‘nominated training partner’ who is eligible for selection during the season, even ‘outside injury or illness’ – the normal rules that allow training partners to step up when one of the normal 10 players are ruled out.

Adelaide Thunderbirds

There’s been a trio of star departures for the reigning Premiers, with vice-captain Maisie Nankivell heading to the Mavericks, as is English star Eleanor Cardwell. Losing Cardwell from the attack has been compounded by the departure of Tippah Dwan back to Queensland. It will be hard for Adelaide to back up in 2024.

Ins: Lauren Frew (elevated training partner)

Outs: Eleanor Cardwell (Melbourne Mavericks), Tippah Dwan (Queensland Firebirds), Maisie Nankivell (Melbourne Mavericks)

2024 Squad:

Shooters: Lauren Frew, Lucy Austin

Midcourt: Georgie Horjus, Tayla Williams

Defence: Latanya Wilson

Get all the latest netball news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

GIANTS Netball

The Giants copped a significant defensive blow with the retirement of April Brandley, combined with the exits of Amy Parmenter and Lauren Moore. They did well to pick up Jodi-Ann Ward from Collingwood, who was named in the Super Netball team of the year in 2023 at goal defence. Coach Julie Fitzgerald called her ‘a perfect fit’ after Brandley’s departure. They’ve still got one more spot left to fill.

Ins: Sam Winders (from Southern Steel, ANZP), Jodi-Ann Ward (from Collingwood Magpies)

Outs: April Brandley (retired), Lauren Moore (unconfirmed), Amy Parmenter (unconfirmed)

2024 Squad:

S: Jo Harten, Sophie Dwyer, Matisse Letherbarrow

M: Jamie-Lee Price, Maddie Hay, Amy Sligar, Sam Winders

D: Tilly McDonnell, Jodi-Ann Ward

Melbourne Mavericks

The squad is building nicely for the Mavs’ debut season. They’ve landed England shooters Eleanor Cardwell and Sasha Glasgow, while Maisie Nankivell joins in the midcourt on the back of a Premiership with the Thunderbirds. Kim Jenner at 25 is one of a host of talents who are looking to get more minutes and prove themselves as starters.

2024 Squad:

S: Eleanor Cardwell, Sasha Glasgow

M: Maisie Nankivell

D: Kim Jenner, Liv Lewis

Melbourne Vixens

The long-awaited move of Liz Watson to the Sunshine Coast Lightning is a massive loss, with the Diamonds and Vixens captain almost irreplaceable with her leadership and ability. They’ve picked up Sophie Garbin from the Pies to add depth in the shooting circle, but they’ll need other players to step up – and they’ve got one more announcement still to make.

Ins: Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies), Rudi Ellis (West Coast Fever)

Outs: Liv Lewis (unconfirmed), Rahni Samason (Robinhood Stars, ANZ Championship), Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning)

2024 Squad:

S: Kiera Austin, Mwai Kumwenda, Sophie Garbin

M: Kate Moloney, Hannah Mundy, Kate Eddy

D: Jo Weston, Emily Mannix, Rudi Ellis

NSW Swifts

There’s plenty of news still to come from the Swifts, with just five players announced so far. The biggest decision was to retain Sam Wallace in attack instead of Romelda Aiken-George, with Wallace – a three-time Swifts MVP – set to return after almost two years out following a devastating knee injury that could easily have ended her career. The Swifts claimed a big win when they retained Sophie Fawns on a new two-year deal, with the rising star being courted by many rival clubs.

Ins:

Outs: Tayla Fraser (unknown), Kelea Iongi (training partner, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, ANZ Championship), Romelda Aiken-George (unconfirmed)

2024 Squad:

S: Sophie Fawns, Sam Wallace,

M: Maddy Proud,

D: Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner

Queensland Firebirds

Gretel Bueta is taking a season off after the birth of her second child, meaning Tippah Dwan has the chance to step up – just like she did when Bueta took maternity leave before her first child was born. She’ll partner Donnell Wallam, the goal shooter who was the league’s second highest scorer in 2023. Diamonds rising star Ruby Bakewell-Doran is locked in for the full three years at the other end of the court.

Ins: Tippah Dwan (from Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Outs: Gretel Bueta (year off for family), Leesa Mi Mi (training partner – Sunshine Coast Lightning), Gabi Simpson (no contract offer), Mia Stower (no contract offer), Ash Unie (no contract offer)

2024 Squad:

S: Tippah Dwan, Emily Moore, Donnell Wallam

M: Lara Dunkley, Hulita Veve, Kim Ravallion, Macy Gardner

D: Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Isabelle Shearer, Remi Kamo

Sunshine Coast Lightning

The Lightnings are the obvious winners of this year’s trade bonanza, signing Liz Watson from the Vixens and Courtney Bruce of the Fever (both previously one-team players), all while keeping Steph Frewell (nee Wood) and Cara Koenen. The Diamonds quartet (though Fretwell has now stepped away from national duties) makes the Lightning one of the instant favourites from the title. Karla Pretorius opted to remain in South Africa amid the uncertainty of the CPA negotiations, but Tara Hinchliffe is back after missing 2023 with an ACL injury.

Ins: Liz Watson (from Melbourne Vixens), Leesa Mi Mi (Training partner – Queensland Firebirds), Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)

Outs: Kadie-Ann Dehaney (West Coast Fever), Karla Pretorius (opted out of the 2024 season), Laura Scherian (no contract offer)

2024 Squad:

S: Steph Fretwell, Cara Koenen, Reilley Batcheldor

M: Mahalia Cassidy, Ava Black, Liz Watson, Leesa Mi Mi

D: Courtney Bruce, Tara Hinchliffe

West Coast Fever

It’s been a total overhaul for last year’s third-placed team, with a host of stars departing – including Verity Simmons to the AFLW! There’s some key re-signings in Jhaniele Fowler and Jess Anstiss, while Kadie-Ann Dehaney joins the defence from the Lightning. But it could take some time for the new-look line-up to gel.

Ins: Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies), Olivia Wilkinson (Collingwood Magpies, ANC), Kadie-Ann Dehaney (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Shanice Beckford

Outs: Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Emma Cosh (no contract offer), Rudi Ellis (Melbourne Vixens), Sasha Glasgow (Melbourne Mavericks), Kim Jenner (Melbourne Mavericks), Verity Simmons (switched to West Coast Eagles, AFLW)

2024 Squad:

S: Olivia Wilkinson, Jhaniele Fowler, Shanice Beckford

M: Jess Anstiss, Alice Teague-Neeld, Kelsey Browne, Jordan Cransberg

D: Sunday Aryang, Fran Williams, Kadie-Ann Dehaney

Collingwood Magpies

The sad demise of the Magpies has led to a raft of players seeking new opportunities. Geva Mentor, Jacqui Newtown and training partner Zoe Davies have all headed to the UK. Ash Brazill retired, while Kelsey Browne, Jodi-Ann Ward and Sophie Garbin found new Super Netball clubs. Four players from the 2023 squad are without new teams so far.

Confirmed moves

Ash Brazill – retired

Geva Mentor – Leeds Rhinos, Super League UK

Jacqui Newton – Cardiff Dragons, Super League UK

Zoe Davies (training partner) – Leeds Rhinos, Super League UK

Shimona Nelson – City West Falcons, Victorian Netball League

Kelsey Browne – West Coast Fever

Jodi-Ann Ward – Giants Netball

Sophie Garbin – Melbourne Vixens

Unconfirmed

Nyah Allen

Molly Jovic

Maddie Hinchliffe

Kelly Singleton