Netball news 2023: Poor turnouts mar Collingwood Magpies games | Net Gains

Why aren’t the Magpies able to leverage their AFL team’s supporter base to get a better turnout at their games? All the latest netball news covered in our Net Gains column.

To be a fly on the wall at a southeast Queensland lunch date on Wednesday.

Diamonds goaler Gretel Bueta has revealed she will sit down with national coach Stacey Marinkovich to discuss her future on Wednesday and a possible return to the sport after the birth of her second child.

Bueta, who missed the Diamonds’ Tests at the back end of last year after announcing her pregnancy, and later, a heartbreaking miscarriage, is pregnant again and expecting a second son in August.

Australian Diamonds netball coach Stacey Marinkovich with Firebirds player Gretel Bueta and son Bobby. Picture: Richard Walker

Bueta returned to play Super Netball just four months after the birth of her first son, Bobby, in 2021, finding stunning form that helped the Diamonds claim a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games last year.

She has spoken of her desire to return to the sport again but that is likely to depend on how she settles into life as a busy mum of two.

“I still love the sport, it’s an incredible sport,” Bueta told Fox Sports’ Pivot program.

“I don’t know how my body’s going to go, how I’m going to go handling two beautiful little boys but never say never.

“I’ve still got that burning desire for sure.”

Marinkovich, a mother of a young son herself, understands well the pressures of mixing high performance sport and a family but would be more than keen to have Bueta available for the Diamonds again, especially with a home Commonwealth Games on the horizon in 2026.

CONCUSSION SUB NEEDED?

Is it time to have a concussion sub in netball?

Another pair of players was forced off for checks under concussion protocols at the weekend after heavy contact and head clashes.

Both – Sunshine Coast Lightning midcourter Mahalia Cassidy and Collingwood’s wing defence Ash Brazill – were cleared to return to the game within minutes given their assessment came from the lowest level of consideration, where concussion is unclear but there is concern.

Under Netball Australia’s updated guidelines for management of Sports Related Concussion (SRC) more players than ever before are likely to be forced from the court to be assessed – a good thing.

A clear diagnosis of concussion, where this is a loss of consciousness or motor incoordination rising from the court, would lead to a player being banned from returning to the game, a decision that should be an obvious but hopefully rare occurrence.

Ash Brazill of the Magpies gives out Easter eggs to fans after coming off for a concussion check during her team’s round four Super Netball match against the Queensland Firebirds at John Cain Arena. Photo: Getty Images

The tough calls will come where the diagnosis of concussion is likely or possible and sideline medical staff should complete an assessment including a SCAT5 test – a diagnostic tool that cannot be properly completed in less than 10 minutes.

By the time a player leaves the court and is properly assessed, it’s likely they’d miss almost an entire quarter.

It’s going to be a tough call if players are on the category B/C cusp and while a doctor will make the call on the level of assessment needed, most players in the heat of battle are likely to push to be in the lower category and return to play as soon as possible.

Super Netball teams already carry three bench reserves into games in a full-time squad of 10 players.

But with brain health and concussion a topic that is only going to gain more attention over the next few years, the push could be back on to expand full-time lists or to have a designated concussion sub who receives match-day payment if they are part of the squad.

STERLING’S INJURY SCARE

The heart of Thunderbirds and Jamaican netball fans were in mouths on Sunday after star goalkeeper Shamera Sterling grabbed at her right leg in the clash against the Giants on Sunday.

Sterling came reeling out of a contest for the ball late in the third quarter, hopping on her left leg while clutching at her calf and looking as though she could put no weight on her right leg.

Shamera Sterling of the Adelaide Thunderbirds reacts to hurting her right leg during the round four Super Netball match between Adelaide Thunderbirds and Giants Netball. Photo: Getty Images

After a quick catch-up with medical staff at the three-quartertime break, she was able to return to the court for the final term, in what was a massive relief to her teammates.

The Thunderbirds have shown so far this season they are no one-women team and no longer rely solely on Sterling to jag a win.

But she remains a talismanic presence for her team and her absence would be an absolute hammer blow at either Super Netball or international level.

FIREBIRDS TO KEEP FAITH

It’s not entirely panic stations for the Firebirds, who showed some good signs in their clash against the Magpies on Sunday.

But coach Bec Bulley will have to do something to keep up the sprits of her team – especially the younger players – with a tough next month ahead.

After going down 69-61 to Collingwood in Melbourne on Sunday, the Firebirds face the Fever, Giants and Vixens over the next three games to complete the first round of fixtures.

Head Coach Bec Bulley of the Firebirds talks to her players during a time out during the round three Super Netball match between NSW Swifts and Queensland Firebird. Photo: Getty Images

That’s last season’s premiers and minor premiers in the Fever and Vixens and third-placed team the Giants, who racked up a win against one of the competition favourites in the Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon.

Once Gretel Bueta was ruled out for the season (pregnancy), it was always going to be tough for the Firebirds and it’s crucial the younger players in particular, don’t drop their heads.

It’s a big challenge for Bulley in her first year as a head coach but she needs to maintain the confidence of her players even if this year is going to be a write-off.

Shimona Nelson of the Magpies shoots with empty stands in the background during the round four Super Netball match between Collingwood Magpies and Queensland Firebirds at John Cain Arena. Photo: Getty Images

WHERE ARE PIES FANS?

The Easter Sunday slot is a mitigating factor but the poor turnout for the Magpies-Firebirds cash should be setting off alarm bells for some at Collingwood.

The club’s opening home match this season also achieved only a modest crowd before the fans flocked to John Cain Arena for the derby clash against the Melbourne Vixens.

The Pies should be able to leverage their massive AFL membership, especially on weekends when the club is playing an AFL match in the precinct nearby.