Firebirds can fit in Geitz if she wants
One Downs star in squad as spot left for another
NETBALL: One Darling Downs talent will play for the Queensland Firebirds next year while the door is open for another to be part of the 2018 Super Netball campaign.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning are still celebrating taking out the inaugural Super Netball title with their grand final win over the Giants at the weekend, but the Firebirds are already advanced in preparing for next season.
The Firebirds have announced the majority of their squad for next year, with former Toowoomba talent Laura Clemesha back in the purple dress in 2018.
Nine of the 10 players for next year’s squad were announced, leaving one spot open on the roster.
That needs to be finalised in about a month and the Firebirds are investigating various options.
One player who could possibly take up that final spot is former Firebirds premiership-winning captain and goal-keeper Laura Geitz. The Allora talent gave birth to her first child in March and did not play this season.
She did not retire last year but Netball Queensland says it is yet to hear from Geitz if she will return next season.
Geitz is a Gold Coast Commonwealth Games ambassador and the chance to compete at the event so close to home is a motivating factor that could convince the 29-year-old to return.
“We have a number of high profile candidates that we’re evaluating and hope to provide an update to fans in due course,” Netball Queensland high performance general manager Richard McInnes said. “We are working hard to ensure we find the right fit for the balance of the team to put us in the best position possible to build on our strong finish to 2017.
“With the core of our squad retained and season of strong growth behind us, we’re confident 2018 will be an exciting, successful year for the Firebirds.”