Star Super Netball defender Bec Bulley has signed a one-year contract extension with the Giants, but has ruled out a return to the Australian Diamonds for the Quad Series later this year.
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Lisa Alexander rang Bulley on Friday to inquire about her international availability, but the mother of one told the Diamonds coach her days in the yellow vest were over meaning she won't play at next year's Commonwealth Games.
A goal feast in the World Cup qualifiers, crazy comebacks and chaos between the wickets, these are the Plays of the Week.
Bulley, who gave birth to her daughter Indie last year, was lured out of retirement by Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald when key defender Kristiana Manu'a ruptured her Achilles tendon in December.
"I feel like now's a good time for the Diamonds to start bringing through some young defenders, I just don't know if I could commit and particularly spend time away from Indie," Bulley said.
"Now that she's over one, the parental policy doesn't apply. I actually had a chat to Lisa and we both think it's for the best that I don't put my hand up for Diamonds selection.
"We had a good chat and I have so much respect for Lisa. I've come to the conclusion that I think that I don't really need to go back and play for the Diamonds, I'm really happy with what I've achieved playing internationally so I'll just leave it at that."
Bulley was named the Giants' player's player at Friday's awards night, and her signature completes Fitzgerald's 10-player roster for next year.
The entire starting seven from the grand final loss has been retained. Kim Green and Manu'a will come back into the fold while Australian World Youth Cup representative Kiera Austin has been promoted after spending this year as a training partner.
The contracts of Sarah Wall, Toni Anderson and Taylah Davies have not been renewed.
"It really came down to the grand final, had we won it would have been tempting to finish on a high," Bulley said.
"I haven't watched the game, I can't bring myself to watch it, I know that I'll be really disappointed with how I played. It's kind of maybe meant to be, the motivation to go round again.
"We've got really promising signs to make the grand final in our first season and to keep such a great team together, we're only going to go from strength to strength.
"I love hanging out with the girls and I'm probably not going to be able to do it much longer so I want to make the most of the time I've got left playing netball."
English import Serena Guthrie was named the inaugural Giants MVP on Friday, while Sam Poolman and Jo Harten shared the members' player of the year.
