The Collingwood Magpies have signed former Melbourne Vixens defender Jacqui Newton for the 2021 season and have re-signed defensive midcourter Melissa Bragg.
Newton joins the side following three seasons as a training partner with the Vixens. The 23-year-old made her Super Netball debut in 2018.
This year Newton played part in the Vixens premiership winning campaign, taking the court on four occasions.
2020 isn’t Newton’s first taste of premiership success, the two-time netball premiership winner claimed the 2019 Australian Netball League and 2018 Victorian Netball league silverware.
Melissa Bragg returns to the squad for a second season. The wing-defender was elevated to the senior list from a training partner position this year.
This season Bragg was a consistent member of Collingwood’s squad taking the court for each game of the 14-round season.
Newton and Bragg’s signatures settle Collingwood’s ten-woman squad for 2021.
The pair join Kalifa McCollin, Gabby Sinclair, Molly Jovic, Jodi-Ann Ward, Geva Mentor, Kelsey Browne, Shimona Nelson and Ash Brazill as contracted players with Collingwood for next year.
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, congratulated the pair.
“We are thrilled to have secured two of Victoria’s most promising netball talents for 2021,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“In her first year on the senior list Mel continued to demonstrate her value as a key member of Collingwood’s squad.
“2020 was an opportunity for Mel to step up and we were truly impressed by her advanced defensive effort.
“We have kept a close eye on Jacqui’s development over the past few years and are delighted to reward her with her first contract on a senior list.
“We are eager to see what Jacqui will create at the Pies in 2021.”
Collingwood will return to the Holden Centre for pre-season training in December.
