Thwaites, who played 29 games for the club and scored 1181 goals, is understood to have been lured to their cross-town rivals the Melbourne Vixens to replace Mwai Kumwenda, who is sidelined after a knee reconstruction.

Winner of the Magpies inaugural best and fairest award in 2017, Thwaites has been unable to help her team make an impact on the national competition - they only managed three wins this season.

Former Test goaler Natalie Medhurst is believed to be a chance to join Collingwood after her surprise axing by West Coast Fever while the Magpies announced earlier this week they had signed exciting teenage Jamaican international Shimona Nelson.

General manager of Magpies netball Jennifer McIntyre said Thwaites had been a great contributor to the start-up club, who also have a new coach in Rob Wright.

"She is one of only seven players to have played 200 or more games at the highest level and remains a formidable player," McIntyre said.

"We were so fortunate to have 'Caity' share in our early history and we wish her nothing but the best."

The Magpies also announced captain Madi Robinson, mid-court star Kim Ravaillion and promising young defender Matilda Garrett had signed new contracts.

Another foundation Magpie Alice Teague-Neeld has joined Fever in search of more game time while they have lost Sharni Layton, Shae Brown and Erin Bell to retirement.

Australian Associated Press