The mid-courter was relaxing in her Melbourne lounge room last month when she received a phone call out of the blue from Fitzgerald, asking if she would be interested in filling the breach left by good friend Kim Green.

Wall and Green became close when the pair played together at the Swifts in 2014, her last season at national league level, and have since worked together on the former's Netfit business venture.

When Green went down with a season-ending knee injury, Fitzgerald decided to take a punt on the 32-year-old.

"She knew I was keeping fit and maybe she put the word out to Julie," Wall said.

"Julie rang me and it was one night I was home lying on the couch before the Swifts game and she just said, 'Sarah, we'd love you to come up and do a training session with us on the Wednesday'.

"I said I'll do anything for Kim or you, but I haven't played a game in two and a half years. I didn't want to get up there and disappoint anyone.

"I hadn't officially said the word retirement but when I finished at the Swifts three seasons ago, I continued running Netfit and that grew and that was my real passion.

"I flew up the next day and just did a court-work session. I was keen to get up and see how Kim was with her knee anyway.

"I'd planned to come to Sydney in the next two weeks anyway, but I didn't think I'd ever be playing in the league again."

Sunday's clash against the resurgent Magpies will be Wall's third for the table toppers. She made her debut in the derby win over the Swifts, before featuring in the Firebirds' victory two weeks ago.

It comes after a tumultuous week off court where players threatened strike action following ex-Diamond Kathryn Harby-Williams' failure to win re-election to the Netball Australia board.

After ruling out strike action, players have still pledged to stage a protest of some description across the weekend.

Wall had never played for Fitzgerald before receiving the phone call that reignited her career, but immediately relished the opportunity to play for the Giants coach.

"I've never been coached by Julie; I've had a few sessions with her junior level, I always heard the most amazing things about her, Kim always spoke so highly of her," Wall said.

"She was the one who identified Kim as a junior and everyone just said she's such the people's coach.

"That's exactly what I've found, she's fantastic with strategy but also has great ability to get people to work with her."

The Giants have the chance to draw clear on top of the Super Netball ladder with a win over the star-studded fourth-placed Magpies.

Wall's new team has won seven of eight games this year and has proven the biggest challenger to the pre-season premiership favourites.

Fitzgerald maintains her side's best win came against the Magpies in Melbourne in round three, but the black and whites have improved since then and Wall said the Giants were bracing for a huge challenge at the Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

"Collingwood will be the biggest challenge for everybody," Wall said.

"Everyone put them as premiership favourites at the start of the year and I don't think that's actually changed, they've just got too many great players.

"It's a funny game netball. As you can see it's only a goal here and there. Everyone has to bring their best game tomorrow, whoever brings their best version of the game will win it."