Super Netball 2026: Verity Simmons reveals how a call from Dan Ryan brought her back to West Coast Fever

Verity Simmons was preparing to release a goodbye to netball on social media when a phone call turned her world upside down. After spending last year at the NSW Swifts as a replacement player for pregnant co-captain Maddy Proud, Simmons thought her time as an elite netballer was over. That was until her West Coast Fever coach, Dan Ryan reached out with an SOS to help her former side cover for exciting youngster Zoe Cransberg, who will miss the start of this season with a foot injury. Now, for the first time since she crossed codes to play for the West Coast Eagles in the AFLW more than two years ago, Simmons is preparing to don the green dress again, having signed as a temporary replacement player for Cransberg. “I was preparing a bit of a speech to put out on social media to thank the netball community as well as friends and family because I thought this (her netball career) was done, and I need to start transitioning out,” she told The West Australian. “I held on to that a little bit, and I am probably lucky that I did because Dan then called me to ask me to come back to the club to be an injury cover at the moment. “We’re taking it week by week; it’s very different. I’m keeping this spot warm for Zoe; that is how I am looking at it.” Simmons was a pivotal part of Fever’s maiden premiership in 2022 and played three Tests for Australia as one of the most dynamic midcourters in the country. A lot of the 34-year-old’s success was on the back of her elite fitness, something which Simmons said she had to work on in a shortened pre-season as she prepares to play against Sunshine Coast Lightning in the season opener at RAC Arena on March 15. “I never thought I’d have to focus on my fitness much, but having seven months off thinking that was it and coming into a team that is extremely fit and has a pre-season under their belt is difficult,” she said. “I’ve also liked that challenge. The body has adjusted really well, I’m feeling good, and I’m starting to turn that page now, where training is starting to feel good, the netball head is starting to come in. “And I’m enjoying myself and this group, being around the girls, and it’s nice to help them prepare for a big season ahead.” Once Cransberg returns from injury, it will likely leave Simmons in netball limbo, something she said sits well with her at this point in her career. “I definitely still have that competitive edge, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. As an athlete you have to have that, because sport is brutal, injuries come and that’s just part of the game,” she said. “I am really feeling for Zoe because this is a difficult and hard spot for her, but I keep telling her how young she is and how many years she’s got ahead of her to be the incredible player that she is going to be. “I haven’t looked too far ahead and I’ve never been like that as a player or in my own life. There is no day that is guaranteed so I literally take it day by day and see how we go.”