Netball's Lightning strikes five times
Perennial Super Netball contenders Sunshine Coast Lightning have signed up all of their key attacking players for next year, as clubs scramble to keep their off-contract stars.
Just over a third of the 80 players spread across the eight teams are coming off contract.
Teams currently have the exclusive right to re-sign any of their existing 10 contracted players, their permanent or temporary replacement players or training partners on single year or multi-year contracts for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Clubs have been able to approach or enter negotiations with players from other franchises since July 2.
No contracts can be finalised with those players until the signing period commences on September 16 and ends on October 14.
Lightning, who won the first two titles and are running second this season with two rounds to go, moved quickly to take their star attackers off the market.
Diamonds' star Steph Wood and fellow shooters Ugandan captain Peace Proscovia and Cara Koenen, wing attack Laura Scherian and goalkeeper Annika Lee-Jones have all re-signed for 2020.
"Five players re-committing to Lightning next season is exciting for the club and bodes well for our vision going forward," Lightning coach Noeline Taurua said.
"The unique combinations we have on court have resulted in a combined shooting efficiency of 90 per cent and we look forward to consolidating the unit further."
Among the Lightning stars not contracted for next year are imports Laura Langman and Carla Pretorius.
Adelaide have four imports coming off contract, including New Zealand shooter Maria Folau.
Diamonds coming off contract are defenders April Brandley (Collingwood), Sarah Klau (Swifts) and Vixens shooter Caitlin Thwaites.
Ladder leaders NSW Swifts on Thursday announced they had secured two of their attack end players for next year, in England wing attack Natalie Haythornthwaite and shooter Sophie Garbin.
Swifts will be without England shooter Helen Housby for a third straight week due to a thigh issue, but she's likely to play the final round game against the Firebirds in Sydney next week.
