Signing: Netballer Mo'onia Gerrard relaxes at Narrabeen Beach after joining the NSW Swifts. Picture: Angelo Soulas Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE NSW Swifts have stemmed the exodus of players to rivals ahead of next season's trans-Tasman netball league by securing arguably the greatest defender in the game for the 2012 competition.
A linchpin for Australia at the world championship, feisty Mo'onia Gerrard agreed to terms with the club yesterday and joins the likes of Diamonds centre-courter Kim Green in Swifts colours in 2012. With shooter Cath Cox opting to move to Perth for 2012, defender Bec Bulley to Adelaide and centre-courter Courtney Tairi to New Zealand side Southern Steel, new coach Lisa Beehag is rebuilding from the ground up with Gerrard central to her plans.
"It's like a fresh start," said Gerrard who is expected to be considered for a leadership role with the Swifts and hopes the likes of former Australian shooter Susan Pratley will commit to the club.
"Obviously losing someone of Coxy's experience will leave a big hole, but I think we're going to be up for the challenge."
It is a major coup for a club, which despite boasting more Australian players than any other team, has failed to perform to expectations for the past three seasons. The former championship winning club finished second-last in the league in 2009, third overall in 2010 and then fourth in 2011.
The signing came the same day Gerrard's brother Mark was overlooked for the Wallabies squad ahead of this year's World Cup.
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