They are known as netball legends, but there is nothing legendary about plugging the gaps with ex-players just to try to win a competition.
Round 4 of the ANZ Premiership hit the headlines after former Silver Ferns Leana de Bruin, 48, and Casey Kopua, 40, returned to the Northern Stars and the Waikato-Bay of Plenty clash to fill injury woes.
De Bruin, who is actually the Stars assistant coach, came off the bench, while Kopua walked into a starting spot despite the Magic having three contracted defenders — albeit one returning from injury — on the bench.
Past players returning is nothing new — Kayla Johnson, Anna Harrison and Temepara Bailey come to mind — and there are more this season.
Former Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Kate Walsh (nee Shimmin), who retired in 2022, is a replacement for the Stars and Grace Kukutai, who stepped away from netball in 2019 for rugby and rugby league, suited up for the Northern Mystics in round 1.
It is not exclusive to New Zealand either. Former Silver Fern Katrina Rore just returned for three games for the NSW Swifts, Jamaican great Romelda Aiken-George returned this year after retiring at the end of 2025 and former Australian Diamond Nat Bulter (nee Medhurst) retired in 2020, but has returned twice.
While they bring experience and netball nous, are they not stunting the development of the game?
Obviously, teams want to lift the trophy, and big names attract fans, but how do franchises expect to keep the current crop and prove why the ANZ Premiership must remain — as it teeters on the brink of extinction — if they do not support the next generation?
What incentive does it give young players to remain in the game? Why bother having training partners? Where is the depth coming from? What does Noeline Taurua think about it as she seeks to build the future of the Silver Ferns?
Many commentators say the ANZ Premiership and SSN are not development leagues. They are for the best of the best.
And while that might be true, is the cream of the crop really past players? Riddle me that.
It is a frustrating and sad indictment if you cannot back your future talent to step up to the plate.
If you dig a little deeper there are success stories from the NNL pathway.
Serina Daunakamakama and Khanye-Lii’ Munro-Nonoa came through the Northern Marvels and Comets system and have been standouts for the Southern Steel — and New Zealand under-21 — and Laura Balmer is another.
The defender started with the Southern Blast and caught the eye of the Central Pulse selectors, where she sat on the bench learning from Silver Ferns defenders, and has flourished with full court time at the Mainland Tactix this season.
Sophia Lafaiali’i came through the Marvels and was mighty impressive as a replacement for Australian Diamond Donnell Wallam at the Mystics last year. She was near flawless and earned herself a fulltime contract this year, as has defender Charlotte Manley.
Losa Fifita (Magic) and Josie Seymour (Tactix) both played at the Netball Youth World Cup last year and have earned fulltime contracts and the Southby sisters, Grace and Ella, have never looked out of place when they step on court.
If they are good enough to represent New Zealand on the world stage, they are good enough to play domestically.
Grace Nweke and Laura Langman were called up as schoolgirls — and they turned out just fine, don’t you think?
