WITH the ANZ Premiership season done and dusted, teams have started to finalise squads for the 2021 season as the Northern Stars and Northern Mystics announced their player lists throughout the week.  There are a couple of notable changes for both sides, with some key players either departing or retiring while some shock inclusions are set to send tongues wagging next season.

The announcements did not stop there, as Central Pulse released the replacement for Yvette McCausland-Durie with Gail Parata set to take the reins for the upcoming season. After taking the Pulse to back-to-back premierships McCausland-Durie parted ways with the club, paving the way for Parata who boasts a wealth of experience having coached the Scottish Thistles for six years while also spending time as an assistant coach for the Pulse and Northern Mystics. The Pulse have already lost the services of defender Elle Temu with the goal keeper committing to the Northern Stars in hope to get some more court time, meaning Parata will be hopeful to retain the remainder of her list.

Temu joins a couple of other new faces at the Northern Stars in 2020 with Gina Crampton switching from the Southern Steel after eight years. Crampton will add a wealth of experience to the frontend with captain Grace Kara not announced in the squad. Expect Crampton to link up well with Maia Wilson given their Silver Ferns connection and sheer dominance in their respective positions. But the most surprising signing was in the form of Anna Harrison who retired from the game two years ago, but is set to make a comeback much like Renae Ingles did in the Suncorp Super Netball. Famously known for her chairlift and aerial ability Harrison is an exciting prospect for the Stars who lost Storm Purvis to retirement and Kate Burley to the Northern Mystics, however they did retain the services of the talented Oceane Maihi. Another inclusion in the form of Monica Falkner from Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and the acquisition of Amorangi Malesala who has spent time in the Australian pathways will further bolster their line-up for their 2021 campaign.

On the other hand the Northern Mystics have maintained a relatively unchanged line-up bar one or two forced changes with Phoenix Karaka announcing her pregnancy. As noted before, Burley has joined the Mystics and is likely to pair up with Sulu Fitzpatrick while Michaela Sokolich-Beatson is set to return after missing the 2020 season with injury. Speaking of injury, Silver Ferns goaler Bailey Mes has also been named for next season with the goaler offering a wealth of composure and knowledge under the post. It is no surprise the Mystics held onto talented goal shooter Grace Nweke, with the 18-year-old able to single-handedly change the course of a game. Joining her inside the goal circle is Filda Vui with the former Beko League shooter relishing the opportunity to get on court throughout the season while Saviour Tui is back for another season. Another Stars transfer in the form of Fa’amu Ioane has also been announced as part of the Mystics squad for 2021 with the wing defence boasting plenty of firepower and excitement through the middle third as the Mystics push for a potential finals tilt after falling just short this year.

The remaining four clubs are yet to announce their squads for the 2021 season but give the number of change ups already listed there could be some wholesale alterations across the board.