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Suncorp Super Netball 2017: News, views, fixture and results

IT’S a new game for netball in 2017 with the sport shooting for the hearts and minds of a new generation of fans. SWOOP’s Ultimate Guide to Suncorp Super Netball.

Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).
Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).

IT’S a new game for netball in 2017 with the sport shooting for the hearts and minds of a new generation of fans.

There are new teams, new rivalries, new players, new coaches and even new rules.

There will be new cross-town rivalries, new interstate challenges and new stars of the game.

We take a look at the new league, the clubs, the captains and the matches that will matter in 2017.

Here’s our ultimate guide to Suncorp Super Netball 2017.

SUPER NETBALL: GIANTS ULTIMATE GUIDE

SUPER NETBALL: SWIFTS ULTIMATE GUIDE

Romelda Aiken and Sharni Layton in last year’s grand final.
Romelda Aiken and Sharni Layton in last year’s grand final.

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL — FAST FACTS

WHEN

The new all-Australian competition kicked off on February 18 and will run until June, 2017. This will deliver fans a 17-week season.

GIANTS CONTINUE WINNING RUN

KIM GREEN OUT FOR THE SEASON

SWIFTS REVEL IN UNDERDOG STATUS

WHY MADDY TUNER STAYED LOYAL

WHO

There will be 80 of the best netballers on the planet competing in the league. Each team has a squad of 10 which is a reduction on past years.

The competition will be dominated by Australians with 64 locals playing alongside 16 imports representing seven different counties.

GIANT STAR'S DREAM RETURN

SWIFTS MAN UP WITH WRIGHT

Gabi Simpson (right) will lead the Firebirds in 2017.
Gabi Simpson (right) will lead the Firebirds in 2017.

CLUBS

The established clubs are NSW Swifts, Queensland Firebirds, Melbourne Vixens, West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds.

The new clubs are Collingwood Magpies, Giants Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning.

NEW GAME, NEW ERA

OLD COACH FOR NEW TEAM

HIGHLIGHTS

There will be seven blockbuster double-headers during the season, along with six local derbies. A total of 13 venues will be used during the competition.

NETBALL PAY DEAL: HOW IT WORKS

SUPER ROOKIES CLEAR TO FLY HIGH

TV DEAL

The five-year broadcasting deal with the Nine Network and Telstra will ensure live free-to-air TV coverage of two games a week for the 2017 season.

Kimberley Green will captain the Giants. Picture: Stephen Cooper
Kimberley Green will captain the Giants. Picture: Stephen Cooper
The Collingwood squad.
The Collingwood squad.

AUSSIES TO WATCH

KIM GREEN: Giants Netball

The savvy veteran who stepped down from the Australian team after winning the 2015 world title but has decided to play on so she could be part of netball’s new future. She will lead by example — on and off the court — and will play and integral role in setting up the culture of the new club.

GIANT OPPORTUNITY FOR GREEN

GIANTS UNDEFEATED AT PRE-SEASON COMP

SHARNI LAYTON: Magpies

One of the queens of defence and a crowd favourite. Layton puts her heart and soul into games and the crowd responds in kind. Will be pivotal to the Magpies’ success in their inaugural year in the new league.

THE SUPER TEAM

DREAM DEBUT FOR NEVINS

WILL MAGPIES BECOME TOO STRONG

DIAMONDS IN TOP FORM

CAITLIN BASSETT: Lightning

Big, deadly accurate and a real crowd-pleaser. In 2015 she stunned the international world when she racked up a PB of 55 goals in the Constellation Cup. Hard to defend and rules the attacking end with finesse.

Jo Harten in action for England last year. Picture: Sarah Reed
Jo Harten in action for England last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

INTERNATIONALS TO WATCH

LAURA LANGMAN: Lightning

When it comes to on-court leaders, Langman is one of the best in the game. She brings years of experience to the new club along with a few tricks up her sleeve after a long stint with the Silver Ferns for years. Langman has moved from the Swifts to the new club for the season and will play a major role for them as they bid to make an initial impact.

MWAI KUMWENDA: Vixens

One of the best shooters in the game and certain to make her mark early with her new side, Kumwenda comes to the club with great form and keen to make a big impression. From Malawai, this international also has some smooth moves and is expected to be a big hit with fans.

JOANNE HARTEN: Giants

Will bring plenty of experience to the new club with 81 internationals under her belt. This talented shooter will add something different to the mix for the Giants. Can play goal attack or goal shooter.

The Swifts’ Paige Hadley is staying put with the club.
The Swifts’ Paige Hadley is staying put with the club.

Giants Fixtures

Feb. 18, 5pm Giants Netball v NSW Swifts, SOPSC

Feb. 25, 7pm Giants Netball v West Coast Fever, Qudos Bank Arena

Mar 4, 7pm Magpies Netball v Giants Netball, Hisense Arena, VIC

Mar 11, 8:45pm Sunshine Coast Lightning v Giants Netball, University of Sunshine Coast.

Mar 19, 1pm Giants Netball v Adelaide Thunderbirds, AIS Arena, ACT

Mar 25, 7pm Melbourne Vixens v Giants Netball, Hisense Arena, VIC

Apr 1, NSW Swifts v Giants Netball, SOPSC

Apr 8 7pm QLD Firebirds v Giants Netball, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD

EASTER BYE WEEKEND

Apr 23, 1pm, Giants Netball v Magpies Netball, Qudos Bank Arena

Apr 30, 2pm West Coast Fever v Giants Netball, HBF Stadium, WA

May 7, 1pm Adelaide Thunderbirds v Giants Netball, Priceline Stadium, SA

May 14, 1pm GIANTS Netball v Melbourne Vixens, AIS Arena, ACT

May 19, 7:30pm Giants Netball v QLD Firebirds, SOPSC

May 27, 7pm Giants Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning, Qudos Bank Arena

FINALS SERIES: June 3-17

The Vixens and Swifts battles this season are expected to be close encounters.
The Vixens and Swifts battles this season are expected to be close encounters.

NSW Swifts Fixtures

Feb. 18, 5pm Giants Netball v NSW Swifts, SOPSC, NSW

Feb. 25, 5pm NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header

Mar 4, 8:45pm Melb Vixens v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena, VIC Double Header

Mar 10, 8:30pm, QLD Firebirds v NSW Swifts, Bris Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD

Mar 17, 9:30pm, West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts, HBF Stadium, WA

Mar 26, 1pm, NSW Swifts v Magpies Netball, SOPSC, NSW

Apr 1, 7pm NSW Swifts v Giants Netball, SOPSC, NSW

Apr 9, 1pm, NSW Swifts v Sunshine Coast Lightning SOPSC, NSW.

EASTER BYE WEEKEND

Apr 23, 3pm NSW Swifts v Melb Vixens, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header

Apr 29, 8:45pm Adel Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts, Titanium Arena, SA

May 5, 7:30pm NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever, SOPSC, NSW

May 13, 7pm Magpies Netball v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE GIANTS

The Giants will play a mixture of home games between three venues — Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC), Qudos Bank Arena and Canberra’s AIS Arena.

The Giants’ first game is against the NSW Swifts at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18.

The team then heads to Qudos Arena a week later to take on West Coast Fever.

After two weeks on the road against the other competition newcomers — Magpies Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning — the Giants will head to Canberra for their round five game.

The club will return to Canberra again in Round 12 when they meet Melbourne Vixens,

Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).
Netballers Susan Pettitt (Giants) and Paige Hadley (Swifts).

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE SWIFTS

The Swifts will be “away” for their round one match against the Giants with their first official home game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in round 2 on April 15 in the first double header at Qudos Bank Arena.

The Swifts will compete in seven prime-time Saturday evening matches, plus three games each on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons in the inaugural season.

There will be seven home games — four games at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC), as well as three double header events at Qudos Bank Arena alongside cross-town rivals the Giants.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/suncorp-super-netball-2017-news-views-fixture-and-results/news-story/f4c4f810350a9ea758eb6e603743a539