Netball: Diamonds are a goal attack's best friend

Silver Ferns goal attack Maria Tutaia is being chased by several franchises but the Diamonds are confident she'll stay with them. Marty Melville / Getty Images

Sought-after Silver Ferns goal attack Maria Tutaia is expected to remain with the Auckland Waitakere Diamonds for next year's National Bank Cup.

The 19-year-old had received offers from several franchises, but yesterday a Diamonds spokesperson said they were confident of retaining Tutaia and hoped to make an announcement at the end of the week.

The eight franchises have to submit a preliminary list of up to 18 players to Netball New Zealand by November 13, and have until mid-February to decide on their final 12.

The deadline has now passed for franchises to notify one another about which players are being targeted.

If the Diamonds do retain Tutaia, New Zealand squad members Paula Griffin and Anna Scarlett and defender Stephanie Bond, they will have the base of a fairly formidable lineup.

In the midcourt, youngsters Grace Rasmussen and Rawinia Everitt were effective last season but the side really need to secure an experienced head to complement them - maybe a Victoria Edward or Jenny-May Coffin.

Flames defender Vilimaina Davu has been linked with North Harbour's Force but has yet to sign with anyone.

Former Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan is also back in the Force mix after the birth of her first child around five months ago.

It is understood Scanlan is keen to pursue a spot in the Silver Ferns side for next year's world championships.

Former Australian international Megan Dehn is also expected to return to the Force.

Southern Sting spokeswoman Julie Paterson said her franchise were still in discussions with a few players, including former Australian international Natalie Avellino and former Silver Fern Donna Loffhagen.

They have also approached Daneka Wipiiti, and Silver Fern Tania Dalton yesterday confirmed her intention to play for the side again.

"We are still keeping a lot of our experience but we wanted to bring a couple of new, young, fresher faces in," Paterson said.

Silver Ferns captain Adine Wilson will return to the Sting, having signed a two-year contract last year.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic chief executive Sheryl Dawson said she hoped to have her squad finalised by the end of the week.

She said the Magic were likely to lose midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase to the Sting but were hopeful of retaining most of last year's winning side.

Hayley Stockman, who played for Waikato in this year's nationals, is likely to return to the Western Flyers in pursuit of more court time.

Dawson said the Magic were focused on looking for players within the Waikato/Bay of Plenty catchment area.

"We very much focus on our own. We took a punt on Laura [Langman] and Casey [Williams] all those years ago ... Sometimes you have to be bold," Dawson said.

The Canterbury Flames are understood to be chasing a former Australian shooter, and Cynna Neele's is the name being bandied about.

Another rumour has giant Australian defender Demelza Fellowes heading to the Rebels, who have also signed Silver Fern goal attack Jodi Te Huna.


Key moves?

* Liana Barrett-Chase Magic to Sting
* Vilimaina Davu Flames to Force
* Sheryl Scanlan returning to Force and aiming for Silver Ferns recall
* Daneka Wipiiti Force to Sting
* Australian squad members Cynna Neele (to Flames)
* Demelza Fellowes (to Rebels)