Swifts defender Teigan O’Shannassy has been ruled out of Saturday’s Suncorp Super Netball Round 13 clash against the Sunshine Coast Lightning with a back complaint.
In her place QBE Swifts Academy defender, Australian 21U representative and current Training Partner Freddie Schneideman will be called up as a Temporary Replacement Player.
The Swifts currently sit second on the Super Netball ladder with two rounds of the regular season to play and are hoping to push their battle with the West Coast Fever for the Minor Premiership into next week.
Freddie Schneideman is a standout talent in the Swifts pathway.Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle said losing O’Shannassy was a blow, but backed Schneideman to step up.
“Teigan has been in the form of her life and really shown that she is one of the best defenders in the league so losing her for any game is never helpful, but that is sport and I know she’ll bounce back.
“We are lucky to already be qualified for Finals but we want to head into that campaign with some wind in our sails and we’ll need to adjust but history has proven that we can do that.
“Freddie is coming into our SSN setup on the back of a fine SN Reserves tournament and she was named MVP at the 19U National Champs last year where NSW won gold so she’s no stranger to top-level netball.
“Our QBE Swifts Academy has produced amazing talent that’s won Premierships and played Grand Finals with us so I know Freddie will hit the ground running.”
In other team news, Sophie Fawns has been retained in this weekend's match-day squad with Allie Smith dropping out.
SWIFTS TEAM (v Lightning)
- Sarah Klau
- Maddy Turner
- Freddie Schneideman
- Sharni Lambden
- Paige Hadley
- Verity Simmons
- Grace Whyte
- Helen Housby
- Grace Nweke
- Sophie Fawns
