Swifts lift 'black cloud' after netball star's axing

The NSW Swifts "black cloud" has been lifted as the club unveils its solution to internal issues.

Swifts star Samantha Wallace-Joseph was axed from the side following reports of "behavioural" concerns in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old, who played more than 80 games for the team and won two Super Netball titles, had been missing in action recently for undisclosed reasons.

Wallace-Joseph had battled her way back from a knee injury and the Swifts had stuck by her, but her anti-transgender comments on social media marred her return.

A statement released by the club revealed Wallace-Joseph had been let go by "mutual agreement."

Sam Wallace-Joseph has finished up at the Swifts.

"For the past number of weeks, the club has been working with Samantha Wallace-Joseph and her management in relation to a matter which concerned her behaviour within the team environment," the statement said.

"For the wellbeing of all concerned the nature of the matter will remain confidential. However, it has been mutually agreed that parting ways is the best way forward for both Samantha and the club.

"The behavioural standard expected of everyone in the Swifts environment – across players, coaches and staff – is team first and there are no exceptions to that."

Wallace-Joseph was one of the Swifts' best since joining the team in 2017, with her size and shooting ability making her a threat against Super Netball rivals.

While the full story behind her departure remains untold, with a nondisclosure agreement signed, her absence has evidently taken a toll on the team.

The Swifts wave to fans.

Speaking with Fox Netball after the Swifts' seven goal defeat to the Fever on Sunday, Swifts coach Briony Akle described the resolution as lifting the weight that was holding the team down.

"We just need to move on. I think it's unprecedented probably to lose a player in netball halfway through a season and it's by the club choice," Akle said.

"But for us, it was for the best for the team and now that's behind and we can lift the black cloud, I think, in terms of what it's been weighing us down."

Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud said the news brought "a little bit of relief in a way that there was a conclusion" to the turmoil that has been lingering since the beginning of the season.

"There's not much we really can say, so there's always going to be a lot going on in that aspect," Proud said.

NSW Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud.

"But I think for us to kind of have a line in the sand now and be able to move forward and focus on, you know, what the rest of this season looks like for us has been really important.

"We've talked about the fact that it has banded us together and we've had to really do a lot as a group to make sure that we stay united in that sense.

"I think it's really just unfortunate at the moment that it's probably not translating out on to the court but away from the court we are stronger than ever and we're making sure that the more that we do, the better the results can come in the following weeks."

The pair acknowledged that the news has affected the result of the team.

https://twitter.com/NSWSwifts/status/1785509356446085358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"I think we would be silly to say that it hasn't affected people," said Proud.

"We are a very tight knit group and we've played with Sammy for eight years, we've won two premierships with her, we've been through a lot.

"So despite what happened … in any team to lose a player is always going to be tough but to have someone that's been with you for a long time is always going to be extra hard.

"It's been very tough and I know that it's taking a mental toll on everyone - not just players but the whole club as well."

Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle with Sam Wallace.

Akle added: "Obviously (the dismissal) would affect the team.

"To be able to come away as a group, we've come away (to Perth) a couple of days earlier than we normally would just to regroup, refresh, focus on the netball and we've had a really good few days away."

The Swifts will face the ladder-leading Vixens on Sunday.