Super Netball 2026: West Coast Fever set to welcome back rising star Ruth Aryang for Melbourne Vixens clash

Young gun Ruth Aryang will make her long-awaited return to the court for West Coast’s Fever’s grand final rematch with Melbourne Vixens at RAC Arena on Sunday. Aryang has not played since she ruptured her Achilles tendon at training more than 12 months ago, forcing her to miss all of last season as well as the World Youth Cup. The West Australian understands the talented 22-year-old will be named in the Fever’s 10-player squad to face the undefeated Vixens this weekend in the biggest match of the club’s season to date. Aryang made her debut for Fever in 2024 and earned a full-time contract for the first time last year, starring in a win against the Queensland Firebirds in round two with four gains and three intercepts. But she suffered an Achilles injury during last year’s bye, the second major setback of her young career after she ruptured her ACL while playing for the WA under-19 side in 2022. Aryang’s return will boost a strong Fever defence that also features an in-form Fran Williams, who is fresh from an incredible 11 gains against Melbourne Mavericks, as well as Jamaican star Kadie-Ann Dehaney. Meanwhile, Fever are also set to name midcourt star Alice Teague-Neeld, who has been battling a back injury for the past few weeks. Teague-Neeld missed the win against Mavericks at the weekend and played only nine minutes of the first term of their four-goal victory against the Firebirds in round five. The Diamonds’ return is vital as the Fever prepare to take on the reigning premiers, who claimed a six-goal win against Adelaide Thunderbirds in the top-of-the-table clash last weekend. Aryang and Teague-Neeld will replace defender Caitlyn Brown and premiership midcourter Verity Simmons in the squad, which has won four consecutive games to embed themselves in the top four nearing the midway point of the season. Fever have not lost at home since round one of last season, claiming victory in their last 10 games at RAC Arena. Diamonds defender Sunday Aryang now remains the only player on Fever’s injury list, as she recovers from a ruptured ACL sustained playing for Australia late last year. Goal attack Olivia Wilkinson and midcourter Zoe Cransberg both missed the start of the season with ankle and foot injuries, respectively, but have come back to play important roles for last year’s grand finalists.