Who will replace Sam Wallace? NSW Swifts' title defence takes massive blow

Super Netball's reigning premiers took the biggest hit possible to their title defence over the weekend, after the spearhead of their attack, Trinidad and Tobago shooter Sam Wallace, went down with a knee injury in their opening match against the Giants.

Scans have since confirmed Wallace has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, leaving Swifts head coach Briony Akle with a huge dilemma to solve just one week into the season.

Since joining the Swifts in 2017, Wallace's consistency has seen her win their club MVP season award three times (2018, 2019 and 2021).

The shooter was also instrumental in their recent championship-winning seasons, as the 2019 Grand Final MVP (40 goals at 91 per cent accuracy) and as one of the best on court in the 2021 Grand Final too (51 goals at 90 per cent accuracy).

Beyond these important matches, Wallace is one of the big personalities who makes up the heart and soul of the Swifts team, and her tenacious drive and incredible accuracy helped to pull them through some of their toughest matches on the road last year.

Personally, Wallace has been through a lot outside of netball since moving to Australia, after losing her father and aunt back home in Trinidad and Tobago during the Swifts' successful years.

It was therefore no surprise to see sadness sweep across the netball community after one of the competition's most-loved shooters went down on Saturday night.

And how much does this loss weigh on the team, who really are like one, big, close-knit family, living in each other's pockets?

With Wallace scratched, they face an uphill battle, but sources within the camp say they remain focused on retaining their title.

A lot now falls on the shoulders of their most-experienced shooter, English