Netball: English players plan united front to stay in southern league

Thunderbirds defender Geva Mentor is fighting England netball's decision to prevent its test players from plying their trade in the ANZ Championship next season.

The likes of Mentor and New South Wales Swifts defender Sonia Mkoloma have been the stars of the transtasman league over the first few seasons of the competition, but it was thought they would miss the competition next year after England coach Sue Hawkins moved to prevent her players from playing in the transtasman league in 2011.

With next season shoe-horned in before the Singapore World Championships in July, Hawkins insisted her players be based at home next year to ensure they had solid preparation time for the pinnacle event.

However Mentor has hinted that Hawkins may not have the final word, with the English star signalling her intention to return to the Thunderbirds next season.

Mentor, who was one of the stand-out players in the Thunderbirds brilliant 52-42 win over the Magic in yesterday's grand final, said she was desperate to defend her side's title next year.

"I wouldn't write me off just yet for next year," she said.

Mentor said she plans to talk to Hawkins when she gets back to England and try negotiate a release.

"I've got a lot of sweet-talking to do back home with my English coach."

It is likely Mentor will take a "power in numbers" approach, with English netball likely to give in to the senior players' demands if they stick together.

"I think it will definitely take a lot of players sticking together and presenting a united front. And definitely I guess to wait and see how we go at the Commonwealth Games as an England unit and if we go well, then definitely I think we'll have a leg to stand on."

The threat of losing Mentor and Mkoloma, as well as possibly midcourter Jade Clarke, who has impressed since joining the Magic as a late-season injury replacement, should force Hawkins' hand.