Net Gains: Collingwood players need real solutions to ensure Super Netball future

There has been an outpouring of support for Collingwood players since the announcement of Collingwood’s departure from Super Netball, despite that, the players need solutions more than love.

The outpouring of love and support for Magpies players and officials since the Collingwood Football Club announced it would not renew its Super Netball licence has been heartening but the emotion cannot cloud the steps that need to occur quickly to ensure they all have an even chance of snaring another contract.

Magpies co-captain Geva Mentor and Ash Brazill spoke before and after the match against Sunshine Coast Lightning on Saturday – a game the Pies eventually lost by four after leading for much of the contest – telling of the turmoil the players have been through since Collingwood announced its netball program was under review.

But the situation has not just affected the Magpies.

Netball fans are a loyal lot. They support their teams passionately but in a professional competition that has just 80 full-time players, there is also a grudging respect for opponents.

When the Magpies walked on to court at UniSC Arena on Saturday, they did so to a standing ovation from the Lightning fans.

Thank you @sc_lightning so much love and respect shown to my team after what has been a shitty 2 weeks. Our battles on court come to an end. pic.twitter.com/sjkHwwPyKJ

— Nicole Richardson (@NicoleRicho3) May 27, 2023

This moment!

So much respect for Steph and all the love for @NicoleRicho3#LIGvMAG#WeBalls@sc_lightningpic.twitter.com/KxkKypxdtY

— Georgia-Mae Topp (@jawjartopp) May 27, 2023

Sure, it didn’t hurt that Mentor was a foundation Lightning player and two-time premiership player and remains a crowd favourite on the Coast.

But from Diamonds favourite Brazill, to Molly Jovic, who was celebrating her 50th Super Netball match, to coach Nicole Richardson, who shed tears at full-time, the Pies were supported.

“As soon as the news broke, netball as a community put their arms around us,” Mentor said.

“We really felt that love from all of the other franchises, CEOs, players and even from overseas as well. It is one thing that is beautiful about our sport.”

"It's really tough because the girls are hurting"

A candid Collingwood coach opens up on a brutal 48 hours since the decision was made to axe the club. pic.twitter.com/GgcuBcA5p4

— Fox Netball (@fox_netball) May 27, 2023

Magpies players put out a statement on Thursday afternoon saying they felt like “collateral damage in a much larger issue for Netball Australia”.

Certainly the national body’s tardiness on finalising Team Participation Agreements and the Collective Player Agreement for the 2024-26 period, has not helped the situation.

But there’s no doubt Collingwood is just as culpable.

The blame game won’t help anyone now though and Netball Australia needs to find an eighth team that is not just a stopgap measure but can be a franchise that continues to thrive in the future.

Mentor’s call for “common sense to prevail” must be heeded.

“I want everyone to get in a room and put egos aside and just nut this out,” she said.

“There are lives at stake now. It’s people who have to pay mortgages, who don’t know where their next income is coming from. We have a whole lot of people who will be unemployed.”

Geva Mentor wants all parties to sort the messy licence situation out so players have some certainty. Photo: Getty Images

Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan has vowed to have an eighth licence in place before any contracting begins, even if that means it occurs later than planned – and preferred.

“Our preference at this point in time is to have the eighth license finalised before we do any contracting,” Ryan said.

“That is our absolute preference and what we’re working to at this particular point in time.

“All players come off contract at the end of September – appreciate there’s a season ending date that’s before that but in terms of their financial stability, it continues until the end of September, notwithstanding our ideal scenario is to resolve this ASAP.”

Work has been going on behind the scenes, with Ryan announcing during Fox Netball’s match coverage on Sunday afternoon the league hope to be in position to announce the process on bidding for the eighth licence in the “next 24-48 hours”.

Ryan acknowledged the players’ courage in pushing on in difficult circumstances.

Kelly Ryan hopes the process for the eighth Super Netball licence can be announced in the next 24-48 hours. Photo: Getty Images

“They’re an incredibly resilient bunch as individuals, and then put them together as a team, they’re a phenomenal group and we’re really proud of the effort that they put in and continue to put in.

“It’s incredible circumstances and none of us can imagine what they’re going through.”

Moving through the conversations quickly is a priority, although ensuring the stability of any future club and letting players know what that looks like before they agree to sign for the new club, is also paramount.

Ryan said there was no need to delay CPA talks despite Collingwood’s collapse.

“What we now have is another work stream that is about solving the complexities and the point around having an eighth license so (those conversations) can run completely parallel to each other.”

The last thing Magpies players need after a season of turmoil is a situation in which recontracting is a game of musical chairs where they’re left with no contract option.

With every player in the league off contract, it’s crucial all 80 have an equal chance to seal a new deal.

LIKE

The Thunderbirds’ growing belief.

Adelaide’s championship credentials seemed a little wobbly last week after their heavy loss to the Melbourne Vixens but the Thunderbirds bounced back in style to stay on top of the competition ladder.

In gaining a second come-from-behind win against defending premiers West Coast Fever, the T-Birds showed they will fight for their season and are genuine contenders.

Adelaide’s finals position is sealed and with just three games remaining and a six-point lead over third and fourth place, a top-two spot and double chance in the finals is tantalisingly close.

The Thunderbirds once again established their premiership credentials. (Photo by Sue McKay/Getty Images)

SWIFTS ON A ROLL

Few had the Swifts in their finals calculations this season, let alone the top two but after their seventh win in a row on Sunday, the two-time premiers have found their sweet spot.

Romelda Aiken George has found her feet after coming back from maternity leave and the Swifts players have found the best way to feed her in the match.

But as much as they rely on their big guns, it’s been the full squad effort from the Swifts that’s impressed.

The blooding of Sophie Fawns last year when Sam Wallace was injured has paid dividends, with the young shooter brimming with confidence when she’s brought on to fulfil a role during the super shot period, while players like the currently injured Allie Smith and Teigan O’Shannassy have also played key roles.

The Swifts are still rising. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

KNOCKOUT CLASH FOR FAVOURITES?

Plenty had a Fever-Vixens grand final pencilled in for 2023 after the two sides dominated competition last year and were separated by just a goal in the opening fixture of the season.

They may well meet in the finals but if one, or both, don’t make decisive moves in the final three fixtures of the season, they could meet in the knockout playoff.

The Fever have lost an incredible four matches by a single goal this season – two of them to the Thunderbirds – and coach Dan Ryan hopes they learn from the near misses ahead of the finals.

The Vixens, too, have had their fair share of close shaves, winning three games by a single goal and going down in two others by the same margin.

The Swifts were too good for the Vixens. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

ANOTHER MI MI ON THE RADAR

Great to see Leesa Mi Mi get a start for the Queensland Firebirds in their First Nations Round win over the Giants in Sydney on Sunday.

After playing the final quarter against the Fever in her Super Netball debut in Round 10, Mi Mi, started at centre on Sunday and played three-and-a-half quarters before running out of gas.

Her efforts against Diamonds midcourter Jamie-Lee Price in the opening stages were pivotal in the Firebirds staying in touch and eventually gaining just their third win of the season.

Mi Mi, whose sister Jemma played more than 50 games for the Firebirds, is a training partner this season but has showed she has all the attributes to be in line for a full-time contract.

Originally published as Net Gains: Collingwood players need real solutions to ensure Super Netball future