Young GIANTS Maddie Hay and Toni Anderson have been upgraded to the GIANTS’ squad for this week’s clash against the Magpies under new player provisions following the World Cup.
With the competition breaking for four weeks for the Netball World Cup, all teams are able to increase their final squad from 10 to up to 12 athletes for rounds 10 and 11. All 12 players will sit on the team bench and can be substituted at any time during a match.
Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald welcomed the new rules ahead of the GIANTS’ clash with Collingwood at Melbourne Arena on Sunday.
“It gives us an opportunity to rotate players more if we need to so we’re taking down Maddie Hay and Toni Anderson, who were outstanding for us in our ANL season,” she said.
“It’s a great reward for them for the work they’ve put them into that.”
24-year-old Hay made her Suncorp Super Netball debut earlier this year, having been elevated into the squad as a temporary injury replacement for Teigan O’Shannassy. The midcourter has represented the Canberra GIANTS in the ANL and been a GIANTS training partner over the last two seasons.
“Maddie’s just someone who continually improves every year and she’s probably the fittest and the strongest she’s ever been this year,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s really dogged and she’s quite deceptive, she comes up with ball when you think she’s nowhere near it and she’s a really, really hard worker.”
From the Sutherland Shire in Sydney, defender Anderson is a familiar face for GIANTS fans, having been part of the GIANTS squad in 2017 and making her debut in round two that year.
“Toni’s got great instinct,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s a fabulous athlete and she’s one of those people who just seems to know where the ball’s going.”
Fitzgerald said the entire squad – including World Cup participants Caitlin Bassett, Jamie-Lee Price and Jo Harten – is looking forward to getting back on court on Sunday.
“I think we know the importance of this game and what it means to us,” she said.
“Having spoken to those three girls since the World Cup was over, they’re looking forward to getting back and getting into it so I’m not too worried about it.”
Clubs could only use their own contracted nominated athletes and training partners, or any uncontracted Australian athletes, as additional final squad members.
