Netball: Former Silver Fern Leana De Bruin returns to the Northern Stars

Leana de Bruin is set to return to the national league. Photo / Photosport

Former Silver Fern Leana De Bruin will return to the ANZ Premiership next year.

De Bruin, 41, was one of four new faces named in the Northern Stars squad for the 2019 season, after playing for Australia's Adelaide Thunderbirds this year.

Stars head coach Kiri Wills was excited by the return of her former captain alongside the signing of defender Storm Purvis from the Northern Mystics.

Wills said that in addition to their defensive talents, De Bruin and Purvis would also provide leadership support for 2018 captain Grace Kara.

"Leana and Storm will bring strong on and off-court leadership to the team and combined with the return from injury of Kayla Cullen and Kate Burley, they will be a handful for the opposition teams," Wills said.

Leana De Bruin spent this year in Australia, playing for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Photo / Getty

As well as Kara, Cullen and Burley, the Stars have also retained Maia Wilson, Holly Fowler and Ellen Halpenny from this year's team.

De Bruin and Purvis will join newbies Mila Reuelu-Buchanan - moving north from the Central Pulse - and Australian import Charlee Hodges.

Reuelu-Buchanan had a strong season with the winning Central Beko team and was an impact player for the Pulse. She was also a key player in the New Zealand Under-21 World Youth Cup team, forming a formidable partnership with Wilson.

Hodges has played the last two seasons with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Wills is excited to use her at her favoured goal attack position.

"She is exactly the kind of GA I like to work with and will fit into our game plans and strategies with Maia and Ellen very well. She's super quick and will go to the post," said Wills.

The Stars will be without midcourter Fa'amu Ioane, who has recently undergone an ACL reconstructive surgery, due to the quick turnaround of seasons ahead of June's Netball World Cup.

Shooter Paula Griffin will be taking a break from netball next year.

Northern Stars' 2019 ANZ Premiership squad:
Kate Burley, Kayla Cullen, Leana de Bruin, Holly Fowler, Ellen Halpenny, Charlee Hodges, Grace Kara, Storm Purvis, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Maia Wilson