Former Diamonds captain Laura Geitz has announced her retirement from netball, after making a season-long comeback for her beloved Queensland Firebirds.
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The two-time world championship-winning defender was surrounded by Firebirds teammates when she made her announcement in Brisbane on Friday.
Geitz, who returned to Super Netball this year after missing last season as motherhood took precedence, played her last match in the Firebirds' semi-final defeat to eventual champions Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The 30-year-old had previously called time on her 71-cap international career after Australia was denied Commonwealth Games gold by England on the Gold Coast in April.
Geitz headlines a cluster of experienced players to opt for retirement.
Former Diamonds and Sydney Giants shooter Susan Pettitt, 34, has signed off with 71 caps and 226 domestic games on her record.
Former Australian defender Sharni Layton has ended her carer with Collingwood after coming to prominence in Adelaide while Magpies teammates Shae Brown and Erin Bell - another international - have also ended their playing careers.
Melbourne Vixens midcourter Khao Watts, who played 74 games with four clubs, has called it quits after being unable to overcome a series of injury setbacks.
The Sydney Giants will also have to replace English international midcourter Serena Guthrie, who returns to the UK.
South African-born former Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin, 41, also heads back to New Zealand after a campaign as captain of the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Meanwhile, a week week on from their grand final triumph, the Lightning have lost defender Erena Mikaere, who returns to New Zealand to be closer to her daughter.
On a positive note for Super Netball runners-up West Coast Fever, the club has retained captain and MVP Courtney Bruce, Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler and midcourter Jess Anstiss for three more seasons.
However, the Fever have not taken up a 12-month extension for veteran shooter and former Diamond Natalie Medhurst, who ends her five-year stint in Perth.
The 34-year-old made her National League debut in 2004 with Adelaide and made 219 appearances at domestic level plus 86 tests.
"This has not been an easy decision for our club, however, we are committed to identifying and developing emerging talented players and player recruitment," said Fever head coach Stacey Marinkovich.
Australian Associated Press
