NSW Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley has been ruled out of Saturday’s Round 2 Suncorp Super Netball clash with the Melbourne Vixens after testing positive for COVID-19.
The double-Premiership winner is currently in isolation but is expected to return for the Premiers’ Round 3 clash with the Collingwood Magpies in Sydney next weekend.
The Swifts are already without star attacker Sam Wallace whose season was prematurely ended last week when she suffered an ACL injury.
The Swifts have until lunchtime tomorrow to name a replacement for this weekend’s game.
Head coach Briony Akle said the news was a blow, but noted that Hadley’s and the wider team’s health was always the priority.
“Losing world-class players is never ideal and Paige is one of the heartbeats of the team, but what’s most important is that she rests up and recovers because it’s a long season ahead,” Akle said.
“I spoke with Paige and she is in good spirits and not feeling too bad, so it should only be a one-game absence and she will be chomping at the bit to get out on court next week.
“Whoever comes in has big shoes to fill but we’ve got a great bunch of athletes in our Training Partners and the wider QBE Swifts Academy.
“It’s worth noting too that Tayla Fraser, like Paige, is a double Premiership champion and she can work really well with Maddy Proud as we look to feed the ball into our new-look attack.
“COVID is still here and every team has the potential to be affected like this so we just have to control what we can control and get on with the job.”
The Swifts and Vixens go head-to-head at Ken Rosewall Arena at 5pm (AET) on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
