DIAMONDS SHOOTER JOINS MAGIC
AUSTRALIAN shooter Georgia Marshall will join the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic as an injury replacement player for Monica Falkner.
Fringe Silver Fern Falkner underwent reconstructive surgery on her ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in August. She isn’t expected to return to play any earlier than May next year.
Marshall will link up with the Magic from the Sydney-based Giants club in Australia’s Super Netball, where she has been a training partner and replacement player since 2017.
Coming highly recommended by Giants coach and former Magic mentor Julie Fitzgerald, 1.89m-tall Marshall provides height. She is also an agile and accurate shooter, who narrowly missed out on making the 2020 Giants squad.
Magic coach Amigene Metcalfe was delighted to get the signature of another dynamic young shooter. Fitzgerald’s positivity held great weight in the decision to sign Marshall.
Marshall, 23, has previously been a member of the Australian under-17 squad in 2013 and the Australian under19s in 2014.
“Trying to fill a massive gap with Monica’s absence for the vast majority of the season was always going to be difficult,” Metcalfe said. “In Georgia, we like her height and dynamic athleticism - things that Monica brings to the court and to get a ringing endorsement from Julie is huge. To have this assurance from someone who knows the Magic ethos, values, and culture was a major tick. We’re looking forward to having Georgia join us from the start of pre-season training.”
The Magic begin preparation for the 2020 ANZ Premiership season in November.