Netball: Planning a Swift return to the title

Sharelle McMahon says the Vixens won't settle for fourth this season. Photo / Getty Images

Despite being the reigning champions, NSW Swifts skipper Catherine Cox refused to hold the ANZ Championship trophy as she posed for photos at the launch of the new season in Melbourne earlier this week.

It's not that Cox has turned into a diva following the Swifts' success last year, rather the veteran shooter believed it would be bad luck to lift the trophy on the eve of a new campaign and did not want to jinx her team.

It seems in such a tight and competitive league, following superstitions may be the only way to gain an edge.

But while Cox was reluctant to hold the trophy this week, she would dearly love to get her hands on it again by defending their title in 2009.

After losing inspirational captain Liz Ellis and her fellow defender Mo'onia Gerrard, few tipped the Swifts to even make the semifinals last year. But the Sydney team defied expectations, building throughout the year to become an unstoppable force at the pointy end of the season.

Despite their impressive form last season, the doubters are once again out in force now that the Swifts have become the hunted.

"We would love to win back-to-back titles as reward for ourselves but also because people don't think we're capable of doing it again, and that's a position we love to be in," said Cox.

Several experts have not backed the Swifts because they have lost seasoned midcourter Selina Gilsenan, who is expecting her first child.

While Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald has been happy to fill the void with young local talent, the other competition heavyweights have gone about increasing their depth and firepower by recruiting from outside the region.

Cox said this only adds to her side's motivation.

"We are one of only two teams in the competition this year without an import and that's something we really pride ourselves on, having homegrown talent, so we'd love to win again just to prove that point."

And the Swifts certainly made a point at the pre-season tournament in Sydney last month, going through the weekend unbeaten to claim the $10,000 prize money.

"The SOPA Cup was a good test for us, we won that without trying to win the competition. When we found out there was prize money on the line we had to make a decision and we just said 'no, it's not worth it'. It was about getting combinations on the court and seeing how they go," said Cox.

Also to impress at the pre-season tournament were the Adelaide Thunderbirds who are looking strong, with Laura von Bertouch lured out of retirement to join her younger sister Natalie in the midcourt.

Natalie von Bertouch, who captains the Thunderbirds, said her sister is one of a few handy additions to the side, and she is confident they have a championship-winning team.

The Australian international said the team were very disappointed in their third-place finish last season and are eager to fix things this year.

"We don't dwell on it but I think it's probably the motivation we use this year to come back in and train harder and make sure that we're fitter and stronger. Coming third when you put so much into it is really disappointing."

Likewise the Melbourne Vixens, who finished fourth in 2008, fell well short of expectations and are desperate to get things right this season.

The Vixens were tagged the "dream team" following the amalgamation of the Phoenix and the Kestrals - two traditionally strong teams in their previous domestic competition.

This year outside expectations are slightly more modest, but Vixens co-captain Sharelle McMahon said their own goals are as lofty as ever.

"Our expectations within the group this year are really high as the other teams are. But we really want to achieve some great things this year so we'll be working really hard on that, we want to finish higher than fourth this year, that didn't sit well with us," said McMahon.

Along with the Swifts, Thunderbirds and Vixens, the Queensland Firebirds are set to be another dangerous Australian franchise.

The Firebirds' inability to win in New Zealand ultimately cost them a top four berth last year, but the canny Vicki Wilson will ensure the Firebirds have all bases covered this season.