Netball: Magic looking for Brown replacement

Jodi Brown. Photo / APN

The Magic are on the hunt for a new goal attack with former Silver Fern Jodi Brown believed to have decided against returning to the transtasman league next year.

Dunedin-based Brown joined the Waikato/Bay of Plenty franchise this season after two years with the Canterbury Tactix, starting all but one game for the Magic.

The 29-year-old mother formed a solid combination with shooter Irene van Dyk and was considered a strong chance of earning a Silver Ferns recall.

But after appearing in the ANZ Championship grand final, Brown announced she was making herself unavailable for national selection.

It is believed she is taking time out for family reasons.

After missing out on the signature of rookie Silver Fern Grace Rasmussen, who with her older sister Rachel have been confirmed in the Northern Mystics line-up for next season, the Magic have zeroed in on Southern Steel youngster Julianna Naoupu.

Naoupu has been given few opportunities in her three years with the Steel. The New Zealand under-21 star's performances even caught the eye of Australian coach Norma Plummer, who said she was surprised Naoupu hasn't been fast-tracked into the Silver Ferns environment.

At 1.75m Naoupu is one of the shortest shooters in the league, but with confidence belying her 20 years and silky movement around the circle, she would provide a foil for van Dyk.

But the Steel don't appear willing to give up Naoupu without a fight, even though the Southern franchise have further bolstered their shooting stocks by signing Paula Griffin.

Griffin said yesterday she was leaving Central Pulse for Invercargill, a move which prompted the Wellington-based franchise to recruit Caitlin Thwaites from the Melbourne Vixens.

With Silver Fern Daneka Wipiiti expected to be re-signed and last year's captain Megan Dehn considering a return, the Steel look to have depth in their shooting circle, but they are still hopeful of retaining Naoupu.

Dehn is attempting to secure New Zealand residency, which means she will no longer be regarded as an import in the league, allowing her to play alongside former Vixens star and key off-season signing Natasha Chokljat.

Franchises must submit a list of 10 contracted players by September 1, with their full line-up to be confirmed two weeks later. On track to meet that deadline are the Mystics, after they rounded out their 10 with the signing of the Rasmussen sisters.

Grace Rasmussen joins fellow Silver Ferns Temepara George, Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry in re-signing for next season.

With Cathrine Latu also returning, and the addition of Anna Scarlett, the Mystics are once again shaping up as a very powerful line-up.

Rachel Rasmussen's return to the Mystics comes after being left off their roster in 2010.

The 1.83m defender couldn't agree to terms with the Mystics last season, with salary believed to be the main sticking point. She was offered contracts elsewhere, but turned them down. The 26-year-old did end up donning the Pulse uniform for a couple of games though, brought into the side mid-season as injury replacement.

The Rasmussens were chased by both the Magic and the Pulse for 2011, but Grace said in the end the decision was an easy one.