SIX Melbourne Vixens are yet to be signed for the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) Season, named among a list of 36 uncontracted players on SSN lists announced by the league.

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Three of those 36 players – Queensland Firebirds’ Laura Clemesha and Caitlyn Nevins as well as Melbourne Vixens’ Renae Ingles – have announced their retirements, leaving 34 players available to move clubs – or potentially to another league, if they wish to do so. The Vixens have been one of the most stable teams in recent years, but their two recruits from last off-season, shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Ine-Mari Venter both come out of contract, as does Mwai Kumwenda and Tegan Philip with all four deserving of starts but only two able to do so in the goaler positions. It means a club seeking a shooter could well enquire about one of their services. Up the other end of the court, Sunshine Coast Lightning’s three international stars in Laura Langman, Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius all come out of contract, as well as Madeline McAuliffe and Jacqui Russell. Considering Queensland’s retirements, in particular the loss of Clemesha and her experience in defence, the Firebirds could look at the defensive pairing of Maweni or Pretorius if either could be prised from the club. Though the Vixens’ other uncontracted player is up the the defensive end in Kadie-Ann Dehaney who might look to start at an SSN club.

Adelaide Thunderbirds have their fair share of uncontracted international stars, with Silver Ferns’ shooter Maria Folau, and English trio, Beth Cobden, Layla Guscoth and Chelsea Pitman all out of contract. Cobden and Guscoth are currently out on long-term injuries which makes their futures one to watch, while Kelly Altmann is also out of contract. At Collingwood, they do not have the same numbers of uncontracted players that the Vixens do, but injured co-captain Madi Browne, and Diamonds April Brandley and Kim Ravaillion are on the list, as is talented shooter Gabrielle Sinclair.

With the Magpies’ need for an extra shooter and a raft of midcourt options, a club like the GIANTS might look to add another star to its books, with Brandley giving them greater experience and certainly to team with Sam Poolman or Kristiana Manu’a in defence. In saying that, both those defenders are uncontracted, along with the rapidly improving Amy Parmenter and Matilda McDonell. Their neighbours the NSW Swifts have just the two players yet to sign, with Australia’s newest Diamond Sarah Klau no doubt a hot property on the market, and could be another target for Queensland, or perhaps GIANTS, while Kate Eddy is another important player who is yet to sign. West Coast Fever have a stable list and just have Kaylia Stanton who remains uncontracted, and with the addition of Alice Teague-Neeld this year, it will be interesting to see if another club can offer Stanton a starting spot. The other two players yet to be signed by their SSN club are Firebirds’ Jemma Mi Mi and the injured Tippah Dwan.

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS: [5]

Kelly Altmann
Beth Cobden
Maria Folau
Layla Guscoth
Chelsea Pitman

GIANTS NETBALL: [4]

Kristiana Manu’a
Matilda McDonell
Amy Parmenter
Sam Poolman

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES: [4]

April Brandley (pregnant missing 2020)
Madi Browne (re-signed)
Kim Ravaillion
Gabrielle Sinclair (re-signed)

MELBOURNE VIXENS: [6]

Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Renae Ingles (retired)
Mwai Kumwenda
Tegan Philip
Caitlin Thwaites
Ine-Mari Venter

NSW SWIFTS: [2]

Kate Eddy
Sarah Klau (re-signed)

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS: [4]

Laura Clemesha (retired)
Tippah Dwan
Jemma Mi Mi
Caitlyn Nevins (retired)

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING: [5]

Laura Langman
Phumza Maweni (re-signed)
Madeline McAuliffe
Karla Pretorius (re-signed)
Jacqui Russell

WEST COAST FEVER: [1]

Kaylia Stanton (re-signed)