Magpies throw down their cards for 2022 campaign
COLLINGWOOD has become the first club to lock in its 2022 Super Netball list after announcing all 10 contracted players in only 15 hours.
After revealing high-profile recruit Sophie Garbin on Friday night – as well as training partner Maggie Lind – the Magpies completed their list with eight returning players.
Geva Mentor, Ash Brazill, Kelsey Browne, Jodi-Ann Ward, Shimona Nelson and Molly Jovic have signed two-year contracts, while Gabrielle Sinclair and Jacqui Newton have oneyear deals.
While some clubs teased out their announcements in a bid to engage fans, the Magpies have dropped all 10 names to give a clear picture of their strategy heading forward.
Finals are an obvious goal for a club that challenged briefly in 2021 but could not maintain the standard of the top-four clubs.
In adding Garbin, it has the team to challenge the league’s best.
Captain Mentor, who will head into her 15th season of Australian netball, battled a back injury for much of this season and started the year below her best but is back to her peak, about to represent England in a series against New Zealand’s Silver Ferns from next week.
With a full season back from knee injuries, Brazill and Browne will also hit the ground running, while internationals Ward and Nelson took their games to new levels last season.
Coach Nicole Richardson, whose contract was also extended for two years recently, said she was thrilled to have locked in her squad for 2022.
“Each player has played a key role in establishing a solid foundation for this club and their signatures not only provide great stability, but also demonstrates their commitment and belief in our program,” Richardson said.
“With multiple players committing for two years, we are pleased to secure the future of our club and they will all play crucial roles in ensuring we are best positioned to achieve success.”
Collingwood has released defensive midcourter Melissa Bragg and goaler Kalifa McCollin.
“We’ve been lucky to have Mel with us for the last four years and even though we’ve had a short time with Kalifa, they’ve both been valuable members of our team and we wish them all the best for the future,” Richardson said.
The Magpies will return to preseason training in December.