Super Netball finalists the Swifts and Giants have issued a warning to potential raiders as they attempt to retain their successful squads.
Super Netball grand finalists the NSW Swifts and Giants are determined to hold off potential raiders to maintain the nucleus of their successful squads despite every player in the league coming off contract in just weeks.
With Netball Australia still to finalise the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), teams remain in limbo and unable to sign players.
But Super Netball premiership coach Briony Akle is confident her Swifts squad will remain largely intact, with the club looking to forge a dynasty after sealing their second Super Netball title in three years at the weekend.
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“Our plan was when we won in 2019 that we would drive this home and try and get success not just once,” Akle said.
“We’ve got a bloody great team and I hope we all stay together. Nothing’s forever … but I hope they all stay.”
Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald is also hoping to re-sign most of her players when the CBA is finalised, believing the ultimate success is not far away for the club.
The Giants made the inaugural Super Netball grand final in 2017 but have a vastly different and much younger outfit, with Fitzgerald believing success is on the horizon if they can stay together.
“I really want to keep the core of this group together,” Fitzgerald said.
“You look at the other teams in the top four and they’ve been together for quite a few years now and if we can hold the core group together and develop those understandings where everything becomes automatic, we’ve got a very bright future ahead of us.”
The renewal of the broadcast deal and teams participation agreement this year meant every player came off contract at the end of the 2021 season – with contracts valid until the end of September.
It means there could be a scramble for players from teams with deficiencies, or holes to fill given rumours some internationals will not return next season.
But Fitzgerald is confident she will retain her targets.
“I have faith in the program we’ve got. I think the majority of our players want to be Giants, they love the club, they love what they’re a part of and I don’t anticipate that we would lose too many players,” she said.
“All year, I’ve said the promise of this team and the potential of this team is so exciting and I think we will be able to look back in this and be very grateful that we were good enough to get to a grand final.
“We were beaten by a side that was just magnificent. I think there’s a lot of positives to be taken out of this.”
Originally published as Super Netball finalists NSW Swifts and Giants will fight to hold off raiders