THE player signings continued throughout the week as a number of Suncorp Super Netball players found new homes for next season, with the main focus a couple of young players securing a full time position. Collingwood and Sunshine Coast Lightning completed their 10 player roster, joining Queensland Firebirds however the Magpies and Firebirds still await the appointment of a coach for the 2021 season.

Mahalia Cassidy

2020 club: Queensland Firebirds

The recent retirement of Laura Langman meant the centre bib had to be filled and while there was plenty of speculation surrounding whether or not Cassidy would end up on the Sunshine Coast, those rumours came true with the club announcing her signing. A gut-running centre that has plenty of attacking and defensive attributes, Cassidy will be a great inclusion in the Lightning squad in 2021. Returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2020 the 25-year-old starred for Queensland with her ability to hit circle edge and deliver into the circle and will be eager to replicate that for her new club.

She is an exciting prospect for the Lightning given her adaptability to play both a defensive and attacking role depending on the scenario. Expect her to grab the starting centre bib with her drive and spatial awareness likely to complement the way in which speedster Laura Scherian plays and the general in attack in Steph Wood.

“Mahalia is such an exciting player to watch and she is impressive and creative in attack but can also hold her own defensively,” head coach Kylee Byrne said.

Lightning is a consistently competitive side in the Super Netball league and I’m eager to do whatever I can to contribute to the team, both on and off court,” Cassidy said.

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Ash Unie

2020 club: Sunshine Coast Lightning (training partner)

Unie is an exciting young prospect taking the leap into the full time roster with Sunshine Coast with the up and coming defender valuing her time out on court throughout the 2020 season. Despite limited appearances she proved that she had all the tricks of the trade and was a real aerial threat given her leap and relative cleanliness to reel ball in.

Able to play in both goal defence and wing defence, Unie will provide that added element of versatility to the Lightning defensive unit able to use her hands over pressure and general court coverage to win ball back. Already developing a connection with Karla Pretorius, Phumza Maweni and Maddy McAuliffe, Unie will be looking to further strengthen that combo in 2021 and really dominate.

“We’ve had a close eye on Ash for over four seasons now and I have absolutely no doubt that she has all the talent and attributes to succeed in the SSN,” Byrne said.

“When Kylee shared the news I was speechless, it’s a dream come true to earn this Lightning contract and it’s something I have been working towards for a number of years,” Unie said.

“I’ve learnt a great deal as a Training Partner, so it will be exciting to take that to the next level in 2021 when I can continue to hone my craft with the best in the business.”

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Jacqui Newton

2020 club: Melbourne Vixens (training partner)

Following on from that vein of exciting players getting elevated to the elite SSN level is Newton. Plying her trade for a number of years as a training partner with the Vixens, Newton has made her way to crosstown rivals Collingwood for the upcoming season and is set to bring a wealth of excitement to the defensive end. Still a young and raw prospect, Newton has showed glimpses of brilliance with her tenacity and constant hustle a couple of key attributes.

Likely to pair up with the experienced star in Geva Mentor and the ever exciting Jodi-Ann Ward, Newton will have plenty of international stars to learn off. Although not the flashiest player, Newton is a hard worker that can tag her opponent out of the game which will work nicely with the Magpies defence.

“We have kept a close eye on Jacqui’s development over the past few years and are delighted to reward her with her first contract on a senior list. We are eager to see what Jacqui will create at the Pies in 2021,” Jane Woodlands-Thompson said.

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Elle McDonald

2020 club: Melbourne Vixens (training partner)

McDonald is another player making the step up in 2021 securing a permanent position in the Thunderbirds 10 player roster after a strong showing throughout the 2020 SSN season. An exciting up and coming midcourter, McDonald has proved her versatility able to swing between wing attack and centre seamlessly and while she might not be the quickest player out on court, her ball placement into the circle is unmatched.

With no Chelsea Pitman it is a high possibility that McDonald will challenge for a starting position however there is no shortage of options through the midcourt for the Thunderbirds, with the Adelaide side boasting a number of up and coming youngsters. It will be exciting to see how her partnership with the likes of Maisie Nankivell, Hannah Petty, Georgie Horjus and Lenize Potgieter develops throughout the 2021 SSN season.

“Elle’s an incredibly versatile player with strong netball smarts. We love that she has the ability to play all three midcourt positions and gives us great flexibility,” High Performance Manager Pitre Bourdon said.

“I was over the moon to see that Tania had reached out to me. It was great to chat with her and get some insight about her vision for the upcoming season and it made me keen to be a part of it,” McDonald said.

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Matilda Garrett

2020 club: Collingwood Magpies

Emerging defender Garrett has found a new home across the border in South Australia, joining the Adelaide Thunderbirds ranks for 2021. A promising young defender, Garrett is still somewhat raw but has showcased her ability to have an impact on the big stage, utilising her hands over pressure and lean over the shot to win ball back. She play both a tagging style of defence or a hunting style to go out and pick off errant passes such is her read of the play and netball nous.

Although it has not been announced whether or not Shamera Sterling or Layla Guscoth have signed on yet, Garrett will make a great addition to the defensive end given her ability to impact the play. She is a cool, calm and collected head that offers great support with her transitional play and three-foot marking. Sterling has plenty of X-factor while Garrett possesses a much more go out and get it done style with the two likely to balance the way each other play.

“Matilda is an emerging defender with plenty of talent. We’ve seen what she is capable of during her time with Collingwood and we think she’ll add significant spark to our defensive end,” Bourdon said.

“Tania was also my head coach for the World Youth Cup Team, so I’m really excited to be coached by her again,” Garrett said.

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Madi Browne

2020 club: Collingwood Magpies

Despite seemingly announcing her retirement midway through the SSN season, former Australian Diamond Browne is taking the plunge and heading to the UK for the 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague, which is set to begin in February, bar any further restrictions. Browne joins new Superleague franchise Leeds Rhinos for their first season in the VNSL which is coached by fellow Australian Dan Ryan, and bolsters their ranks alongside most-capped England Rose Jade Clarke and a couple of fresh faces in the mix.

While Browne is currently recovering from a 2019 ACL injury and subsequent surgery which saw her sit out the remainder of the 2020 SSN season, the former Diamond is excited about a fresh start in the UK and the potential to help grow the Rhinos outfit from the ground up.

“I am absolutely delighted to be coming to the UK to play for Leeds Rhinos. It was a dream to play netball abroad and thanks to Leeds this dream gets to become reality,” Browne said. “I’m ready to step outside my comfort zone of playing in Australia and inject my 15 years of elite Netball knowledge into UK Netball.”

Ryan was also enthusiastic about the move, citing that the development Browne will bring to the team will be invaluable for the new side, which features some excellent upcoming talent in young Australian Donnell Wallam and the likes of Rhea Dixon and Britt Coleman, as well as current Roses defender Vicki Oyesola.

“Madi is going to bring incredible high-performance expertise and leadership to our environment which will be invaluable when building a brand-new performance and team culture from the ground up,” Ryan said.

“She is a legend of the sport and our athletes are so fortunate to have the opportunity to play and train alongside an athlete and person of her class and calibre. I truly believe she’s going to have significant impact not only on the court for us but in helping shape and develop the emerging talent within the squad.”

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