WITH only days remaining on the signing period for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, the GIANTS finalised their list while the shock announcement of Layla Guscoth returning home to England means the Thunderbirds have been forced into a defensive re-shuffle. The GIANTS now join Queensland Firebirds, Collingwood Magpies, Sunshine Coast Lightning, West Coast Fever and NSW Swifts in completing their 10-player roster for 2021. Therefore, only the Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds remain with three and two spots available respectively.

Layla Guscoth

2020 club:

As stated, Guscoth will not be with the Thunderbirds for the 2021 season, instead opting to return to England and fulfil her job as a doctor to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. Guscoth was a key contributor for Adelaide down back with her seamless court coverage and unsuspecting nature allowing her to get hands to ball time and time again. Not the flashiest player on court it was her hard work and ability put out consistent performances that really stood out for the Thunderbirds while her partnership with Shamera Sterling was pivotal to their success throughout the season. A calming presence on court that provided stability both in defence and transition, her output will be sorely missed next season.

“Layla has brought so much to our club over the past two seasons,” High Performance Manager Pitre Bourdon said. “She is a natural leader on and off the court and is incredibly well-respected amongst the playing group and staff. “Although we are disappointed to see her go, we know how much her career means to her and we wish her all the best back in England.”

April Brandley

2020 club: GIANTS Netball

Playing with the GIANTS in 2020, albeit as an injury replacement player, Brandley has officially signed on for the 2021 season with the new mum proving she still has plenty left in the tank. A highly talented defender, Brandley offers a wealth of experience and composure down back. Her ability to come on either as an impact player as shown throughout the course of this year, or as a regular starter is a testament to her high netball IQ. She is never far from the contest, covers the court exceptionally well and has an uncanny ability to bob up at the right time to steal an intercept.

Still working on her connections with the likes of newcomer Matilda McDonnell along with experienced duo Kristiana Manu’a and Sam Poolman, it is her versatility that will add depth to the GIANTS defensive unit. Brandley is able to swing between goal defence and goal keeper despite being on the shorter side and can also ply her trade out in wing defence, credit to the high calibre player she is. Brandley is one of those players that does the little things well to wear down her opponent and set her side up for big intercepts.

“Returning to netball always appealed to me, but the plan was to just see how I felt,” Brandley said. “I was surprised with how well my body adapted back to netball mode in my quick return, but I’m looking forward to 2021 as I’ll have more time to prepare my body and get netball fit.”

Chelsea Pitman

2020 club: Adelaide Thunderbirds

After not being offered a contract for the 2021 season, former Adelaide Thunderbirds co-captain Chelsea Pitman is set to ply her trade with Garville in the South Australia Netball League. In arguably career best form, Pitman showcased her impressive timing, slick hands and fancy footwork to be a real barometer for the Thunderbirds throughout their 2020 campaign. She displayed a calming nature in a new and developing frontend which will be missed for the upcoming season but will offer that aura to Garville come 2021.

She will be a great acquisition to the team given her extensive international experience and SSN exposure making her a great source of information for the up and coming players in South Australia. A real general in attack with her smooth movement and cautious approach to the goal circle, her composure and nous will pay dividends for Garville. Pitman was in scintillating form this year, with her ability to hit circle edge with great precision and dynamism a couple of prominent attributes and something she will be hoping to bring to her new club.

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Players still available

The Melbourne Vixens are still on the hunt for two goalers thanks to the retirement of fan favourites Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip. In terms of players still on the market, Collingwood Magpies youngster Nyah Allen has not been snatched up yet and is shaping up as a strong possibility given her smooth movement, accuracy to post and general netball nous. Another option is the elevation of training partner Sacha McDonald who has shown glimpses of brilliance but is yet to register regular court time at the elite level. Both players are relatively raw but boast a wealth of potential and star power which could complement the Vixens frontend and pair well with Mwai Kumwenda.

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