Netball: Mystics still to re-sign star players for next season

The Mystics have officially re-signed four players for next year's transtasman league - Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, left, is one of them. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Northern Mystics' 2016 roster is beginning to take shape, but question marks over the future of some of the franchise's biggest names remain.

The Mystics have officially re-signed four players for next year's transtasman league - the young trio of Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Temalisi Fakahokotau and Nadia Loveday, along with English import Serena Guthrie, who was named the league's best new talent last season.

Guthrie aside, the Mystics' first batch of signings doesn't contain the marquee players the franchise would have been hoping for with their first player announcements, with the likes of Maria Tutaia, Cathrine Latu, Laura Langman and Kayla Cullen still to officially recommit.

But Mystics chief executive Julie Paterson is pleased with how the team is shaping up.

She said several more players have signalled their intention to return to the side next season, but there are still a couple of administrative hoops to jump through before those signings can be officially announced.

"I'm really comfortable with where we are at.

"With the Silver Ferns being in and out of camp it has made it challenging to get everything sorted, but I think we'll be able to make some announcements shortly, we're just conscious of not having it collide with the Silver Ferns programme."

The signing of Guthrie in the import spot indicates the Mystics are fairly confident of putting together a strong shooting and defensive end. Tutaia, the team's captain and star shooter, is expected to be back next season, but there is still some doubt as to whether Latu will continue alongside her after her shock non-selection in the World Cup squad earlier this month.

"We have had conversations with Cat - it's just a matter of giving her the space now to get her head straight and make the right decision for her," said Paterson.

One player the Mystics appear less confident of retaining is Langman, who is understood to be mulling over an offer to cross the Tasman and join the NSW Swifts.

Langman has said previously she won't make any decisions about next year until after next month's World Cup.

We have had conversations with Cat - it's just a matter of giving her the space now to get her head straight and make the right decision for her.

Julie Paterson, Mystics chief executive

"Laura has been clear she is not prepared to make a commitment until after the World Cup. We've had to move quickly and cover our bases in case she may not be available," said Paterson.

The only confirmed non-starter for next season is midcourter Camilla Lees, who announced she is giving netball away to focus on her medical career.