Thwaites was one of six Australian Diamonds representatives named in Collingwood's inaugural 10-player squad.

The club, to be known as the Collingwood Magpies Netball Team, will be coached by Kristy Keppich-Birrell, a former An Australian Netball League premiership coach and caretaker coach for the Adelaide Thunderbirds this season.

Thwaites, who crosses to the Magpies after three years with New South Wales Swifts.

The 29-year-old former Girton Gramnmar student is joined in the squad by fellow Diamonds Sharni Layton, Madi Robinson, Kim Ravaillion, April Brandley and Ash Brazill.

“The skill levels of the players and what they are going to be able to do together on court will be something to behold,” Keppich-Birrell said. 

“It’s going to be a very exciting time to watch netball.

“What’s really exciting from a coach’s perspective is that whilst they each come for different reasons, there’s a common theme around building a wonderful team that is going to be successful for many years.”

Thwaites played in the past two ANZ Championship grand finals with the Swifts, including this year’s heart-wrenching double-overtime defeat against Queensland Firebirds.