'A bit of a stretch': Fever deny rift rumours after Medhurst dumping

West Coast Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich has categorically denied rumours two players refused to sign on with the team during the Suncorp Super Netball recruiting period if veteran player Nat Medhurst was kept on for the 2019 season.

Rumours emerged two Fever players had approached management to say they would reconsider signing with the team if Medhurst was kept on, following news of the veteran player's axeing on Friday.

However Marinkovich said while conversations with players were had about their 2019 contracts and court time, they were not down to whether Medhurst was kept on in the team.

West Coast Fever will be without star Nat Medhurst next season.

West Coast Fever will be without star Nat Medhurst next season.

"I think players are looking for opportunities on the court so I don’t think it was directly related to Nat," she said. "It’s a bit of a stretch."

Despite locking down the goal shooter bib for the Fever in 2017, young gun Kaylia Stanton had been relegated to the bench for much of the 2018 season as Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler signed to the side.

It's understood Stanton has previously considered her options at the club due to sitting behind Medhurst for the goal attack bib, and Fowler for goal shooter.

"Obviously people want to know where they stand in the team, and for us, it’s always about the team being bigger than the individual," Marinkovich said.

"So any player that actually signed on for this year is coming in with the focus of what they can bring to the team and the club makes the commitment to make sure we develop and evolve players.

"We can’t guarantee anyone court time and I’ve never been a coach that’s done that, and I never will. They get their opportunity because of where they are, and we’ve got to build our combinations and get that going in the new year.

"Players have conversations but it certainly wasn’t decisions based around one person being or not being here."

Marinkovich also reiterated Medhurst wasn't "blindsided" when the club announced they would not re-sign her for the 2019 season in the dying days of the Suncorp Super Netball recruiting period last week.

West Coast Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich.

West Coast Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich.

The Fever came under fire for the Friday afternoon announcement, where they released a statement indicating they would not not take up a 12-month extension for the veteran shooter and former Diamond.

"This has not been an easy decision for our club, however, we are committed to identifying and developing emerging talented players and player recruitment," Marinkovich said in the statement.

Early reports suggested Medhurst was "blindsided" by the news after having attended the club's awards night just hours prior to the announcement, but Marinkovich told Radio 6PR's Sportsday program talks with the 34-year-old's management had been ongoing throughout the season.

"Over the season between her management and the club a decision was made not to discuss the contract until after we had finished playing, whether that was a normal round season or whether that was post-final," Marinkovich said.

"Obviously we got the opportunity and that right to play in the grand final so that date was pushed further back.

"Throughout the process it was clearly understood between management, the club and Nat that there was an option to extend but it was something to be agreed by both parties," she said.

"There were no guarantee for the 2019 season. During that process obviously it became open market on the Monday, and keeping in contact with her management, she was in the market.

"We had the meeting. Nat did have two options on the table with other clubs, so she wasn't actually blindsided."

Kaylia Stanton (right) joined the Australian Fast5 team after a solid first year on court performance for the Fever in 2017.

Kaylia Stanton (right) joined the Australian Fast5 team after a solid first year on court performance for the Fever in 2017.

Marinkovich said while it was unfair of her to speak on behalf of Medhurst, she understood there would have been disappointment with the decision.

"I think any time that you hear information that's probably not as positive [as you'd like], it is a shock.

"There's so much emotion involved … it's not something you just walk out of a room and say 'I've wiped my hands of this.'

"It's never like that. Anyone that knows me with our club and with how passionate I am … that's the tough part of the gig."

It's understood Medhurst is currently in talks to fill the goal attack position at the Collingwood Magpies, with the club yet to announce their full outfit prior to the end of the recruitment period later this month.

While Fever players are on leave until October 14, Marinkovich responded to criticism leveled at the club for leaving the announcement to the end of last week.

"With the announcement on Friday it was chosen by her management for it to be released at 4pm," she said.

"We had offered to hold back on that announcement so that she could continue her negotiation with clubs and keep her market value but it was something they decided.

"In collaboration we went through the messaging with both parties, and that's why it was posted on Friday afternoon.

"Obviously it's exctremely hard and it was a big decision by the club, but it was something we needed to look forward in our future planning and we certainly wanted to make sure Nat had the opportunity to speak with other clubs."

Fever announced on Tuesday morning they would attempt to fill Medhurst's shoes with Collingwood goal attack Alice Teague-Neeld.

Teague-Neeld spent the majority of the 2018 season on the bench for the Magpies, behind former Diamond Erin Bell.

Her position in the Collingwood outfit was always tenuous after a lacklustre display in the side's inaugral season, where she was the club's starting goal attack.

She has previously featured as the Australian World Youth Cup vice captain.

“Stacey says she is focused on the future and it was clear the culture of the Club was strong, and the closeness of the girls on and off the court is evident as well," Teague-Neeld said.

“I am under no illusion of the size of shoes to fill, but I will do everything in my power to be the best possible player for West Coast Fever.”

Alice Teague-Neeld has previously signed with the Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies. She will be moving to Perth with her partner.

Alice Teague-Neeld has previously signed with the Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies. She will be moving to Perth with her partner.

Marinkovich said it was important to the club to retain young players who had upped their market value in recent months due to strong performances on court.

"Sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and give some young players the opportunity," she said.

"Over the weekend I've had great communication with our players, they're really looking forward to 2019."

Medhurst is yet to comment on the Fever decision.

"We haven't spoken since as she's actually away at the moment," Marinkovich said.

"I hope in time we will have that conservation, because as I said, I have tremendous respect for Nat.

"We've worked through some big highs and lows throughout her career and with the club … its definitely not personal."

It's understood Medhurst's pay grade took up about one third of the Fever's salary cap, and personal issues may have had an impact on the decision.

In a post lamenting the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final loss, Medhurst had indicated she intended to stay on with the Fever in 2019.

In an article for Player's Voice, Medhurst also previously stated she had a three-year deal with the club and 2019 was her final year under that contract.

"I’m signed for one more year. Everyone keeps saying, ‘Every player’s out of contract’ but I’m like, ‘Well, I’m not. I signed a three-year deal from the start," she wrote.

"I would think after next year, netball-wise I would probably be done. Who knows?"

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