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Shooter Kiera Austin has completed a move to the Melbourne Vixens from GWS for the 2022 Super Netball season, as Sunshine Coast snared an ex-Firebird.
Australian shooter Kiera Austin will play for the Melbourne Vixens in the 2022 Super Netball season after completing a move from the GWS Giants.
An inaugural Giants player, Austin was named the club's player of the year in 2020 before making her debut for the Diamonds later that year against New Zealand.
A ruptured ACL in round one sidelined Austin for the rest of the 2021 campaign, during which she considered her future and decided to move on after four years with the Giants.
"It was certainly a tough decision and one I continually weighed up, but I want to continue to develop and grow as a player and I believe a new opportunity will help me get there," Austin said.
The 24-year-old joins Rahni Samason as the two goalers signed for the Vixens in 2022 so far.
"The Vixens have always been a strong team in the competition and with the results of the last couple of years, I know there's something really special coming in 2022, and I'm excited to be a part of that," Austin said.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast have snared Tara Hinchliffe for next season following the defender's exit from rivals the Queensland Firebirds.
A former vice-captain of the Firebirds, Hinchliffe informed the franchise on Monday she was signing with another club for the 2022 season.
The Lightning on Tuesday confirmed the capture of the 23-year-old defender, who, like Austin, is recovering from a season-ending ACL injury suffered in July.
"It was obviously a tough decision but the opportunity to play with, and learn from, new players with different skills and international experience was hard to turn down," Hinchliffe said.
"The unique experience of my first major injury gave me time to reflect on my four years with the Firebirds, and how I could re-energise myself and my netball and chatting to Kylee (Byrne, Lightning coach) made me really excited about new possibilities up the Coast."
Hinchliffe will join twin sister Maddie at the Lightning.
