Gardner had further scans on the injury last week and while healing well, the 23-year-old has been ruled out for the remaining three matches of the Firebirds’ season, and will continue rehabilitation to get back to full strength.
Leesa Mi Mi, who debuted in the Round 10 match against West Coast Fever in Perth as a temporary replacement player for Gabi Simpson, will cover for Gardner as a temporary replacement player for the remainder of the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball campaign.
“This is obviously hugely unfortunate for Macy but it has been a great opportunity for our training partners – Hulita Veve and Leesa Mi Mi – to step up and play in the SSN this season,” Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley said.
“Both have done extremely well with this opportunity and shown they have what it takes to play in the elite level.
“All of us at the Firebirds wish Hulita all the very best for Tonga’s World Cup selections on the weekend.”
Mi Mi, who made her first start at SSN level in last weekend’s impressive win over Giants Netball, will be featuring for the first time at home when the Firebirds host the Vixens this Sunday in a Suncorp Super Netball First Nations clash at Nissan Arena.
A Netball Queensland pathways product, Wakka Wakka woman Mi Mi is the younger sister of former Firebird Jemma Mi Mi and played alongside current teammates, Macy Gardner, Remi Kamo, Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Mia Stower and Ash Unie as part of the ACU Brisbane North Cougars in the HART Sapphire Series.
