TWO weeks of Suncorp Super Netball player signings down, and two weeks to go as we reach the halfway point of the sign and trade period. The Collingwood Magpies confirmed their 2022 list at the end of the first week of player movements with the Melbourne Vixens and NSW Swifts following suit last week, with four of the remaining five clubs confirming eight and the West Coast Fever sitting on four confirmed signings as of today.

Sunshine Coast Lightning has made a flurry of announcements over the weekend, first confirming the return of dynamic wing attack and veteran Laura Scherian. Lightning head coach Kylee Byrne spoke highly of Scherian, who is a real leader within the club with her work rate and composure under pressure.

“‘Shez’ in the type of player that makes netball look easy, but her sheer work rate, pinpoint feeds and the influence she has on games cannot be ignored,” Byrne said. “One of Lightning’s mottos is above and beyond and that perfectly represents Shez – both in her netball and as a person – and we are very lucky to have her at our club.”

Two more announcements were made within the Lightning circles, with injured defender Ash Unie unfortunately missing out on a senior contract after sitting out of the 2021 season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, while it was all smiles for Queensland junior Reilley Batcheldor, with the talented young goaler earning her maiden senior contract.

“Ash has made such an incredible contribution to our Club over the years, and we absolutely will wrap our arms around her and do what we can to help her with her future ambitions,” Byrne said.

“What she has contributed to our Club and to our Lightning family of Members and fans has been incredible, especially her dedication to her community work this season, while rehabilitating an ACL injury.

“We’re committed to working with Ash on her return to fitness and her career development, both in netball and her work as a physiotherapist.”

Batcheldor said she is excited to move up the coast after a season training with the Queensland Firebirds, looking to develop alongside Australian Diamonds Steph Wood and Cara Koenen within the goal circle.

“I couldn’t stop smiling after my phone call with Kylee and it’s such an honour to join a team like Lightning,” Batcheldor said. “I can’t wait to work with Steph and Cara and the entire team and really focus on improving my netball.

“This is an opportunity I’ve been working hard for, for a number of years and now is the time to work hard and listen and learn and soak up all the information I can.”

While Batcheldor departed the Firebirds, the club re-secured the services of long-time goal attack Gretel Bueta, ensuring the star sticks with the club for another two seasons. Bueta’s return from pregnancy this years was nothing less than impressive, with the goaler looking to step up her game once more next season.

“Grets is an amazing athlete who defied odds to get back on the court in 2021,” head coach Megan Anderson said. “She is such a ball of energy and always plays with a smile on her face.”

“Her dominance on court brings the focus away from her teammates and she loves the challenge of beating whatever teams put out against her.

“I really think the best is still yet to come with Grets and I’m excited to see where she can take her game in 2022.”

It has also been a big few days for the GIANTS, announcing the return of Maddie Hay on Saturday morning, before snagging the services of former Swifts defender, Lauren Moore. Hay’s 2021 form made her a must get for the orange and charcoal, returning to the fray with even more to prove after an exceptional season while Moore’s ball-hunting skills and versatility made her a clear target for the GIANTS’ new-look defensive end.

“I’m super excited and grateful to be back in orange for two more years,” Hay said. “I think we showed what we’re capable of in 2021 and we’ll be stepping it up again next year.

“Every year in Super Netball is crucial experience, I take a lot away from last season and I can’t wait to make more improvements during pre-season with the girls.

“Thinking back to where I was six years ago makes so appreciative of my journey. The next two years are going to big ones!”

2021 Premiership player Moore said that while she has relished fine-tuning her circle craft at the Swifts for six years, the opportunity to shift to the GIANTS was too good to pass off with the benefit of adding more to her game, as well as achieving further court time.

“I’m a proud NSW junior, so I’m really excited by the opportunity to continue my career in my home state and play alongside girls who I’ve come through the pathway with,” Moore said.

“I believe Julie Fitzgerald has built something very special at this club and I can’t wait to take the court as a GIANT in 2022.

“Leaving a club I’d been at for six years was a difficult decision to make but I believe it’s the right one to further my netball career, with the potential of more court time as a circle defender.”

West Coast Fever has unveiled new recruit Rudi Ellis, with the incoming defender signing for 2022-23 after two years with the Queensland Firebirds. The Victorian product said she is excited to head west with the huge drawcard of training with and against Fever tall-timber Jhaniele Fowler, often touted the bet goal shooter in the world.

“I’m really excited to move west and have the opportunity to play with such an amazing team. It’s going to be great coming into the Fever environment with a team that has been building these past few years, but with a new coach that offers new perspective,” Ellis said.

“I think being a part of such a successful team with what seems to be an amazing club culture was the biggest draw card for me. Also being able to learn and play with some of Australia’s best circle defenders in Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang, as well as practicing week in and out on one of the world’s best shooters, Jhaniele Fowler.”

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2021 SSN signings: Week one
2021 SSN signings: Week two

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Picture credit: Darren England/AAP