De Silva tipped to rejoin Warriors

SOUTHPORT are hopeful a key figure in their 2017 Women’s Premier League title double will return for next season’s historic Brisbane foray.

Speaking in the latest edition of the Bulletin’s Round Ball Round Up podcast, Warriors coach Trent Gregson (pictured) said rumours of a Nat De Silva return had been swirling since pre-season training began earlier this month.

De Silva starred in the side’s run to the premiership and championship last year, but missed this year’s campaign as the Warriors crashed out in the preliminary final.

Southport will join Gold Coast rivals Broadbeach, Coomera and Robina City for the first time in an expanded Brisbane Women’s Premier League in 2019.

“Word is Nat De Silva is coming back for another stint. Nat scored 32 goals for us (in 2017),” said Gregson, who was joined by wife and Warriors midfielder

Lisa Stutz in the podcast.

“She’d be a major signing for us. We’ve got a few more we’re working through, so hopefully they come off.

“I think maybe we will lose a handful (of players) … but besides that we will have a few strong players back. (This) year felt like a bit of an off year for us and we still came second. I feel our fitness was a bit off last year, so we’ve started our fitness earlier this year but there’s not much we need to improve on.

“We just didn’t finish our chances last year and having a player of Nat’s calibre, if she does grace us with her presence, that will solve all of those issues.

“I felt we were there or thereabouts this year with what we did, we had a few injuries (as well).”