Super Netball: Adelaide was never going to pry the grand final from Victoria

The Adelaide Thunderbirds did their part by qualifying for the match, then premier Peter Malinauskas lobbied hard to host the match – here’s why the bid was never going to succeed.

South Australia could yet host the Super Netball grand final – just not the 2023 version.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds’ thrilling extra-time semi-final victory prompted South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas to make an eleventh hour bid to lure the July 8 decider away from Melbourne.

It’s understood Malinauskas made a call to Netball South Australia bosses less than an hour after the qualifying final win asking how the final might be moved.

But with the decider locked in at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena since late last year, tickets sold and a range of game-day activities from a corporate grand final lunch to on-site fan activations locked in, a move was out of the question.

There’ll be no home ground final for the at Netball SA Stadium crowd to cheer on. Picture: Getty Images

The grand final is part of Visit Victoria’s $15 million four-year sponsorship deal with Netball Australia, although the grand final rights are only for the first year of the deal.

With a war chest for bringing major events to South Australia and a track record that already includes attracting AFL’s Gather Round and LIV golf, the Malinauskas Government could be poised to make an offer for next year’s clash given the potential of a young Thunderbirds outfit to return to the championship game.

“We are looking at what we want to be able to achieve as a Government in respect to netball and there’s a few things that we’re working on,” Malinauskas said.

Netball Australia’s decision to sell its showpiece match last year caused a massive uproar, mainly due to the timing of the decision late in the regular season and a lack of consultation with players.

But the West Coast Fever’s major semi-final win made it a moot point, given the club would have gained hosting rights anyway under the old system.

The premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Adelaide would also have been the grand final venue under the old system, something Malinauskas would certainly like to see and feels the commercial deal in place is unfortunate.

“When Netball Australia entered into an agreement with the Victorian Government (it) locked away this year’s grand final,” Malinauskas said.

“To be frank, that’s unfortunate in my view – I think Adelaide should be hosting what should be a home grand final for us.

“It was the most exhilarating of performances from the Thunderbirds on Saturday night and they’ve earnt the right to a home grand final but that Victorian contract precludes that.”

Netball SA chief executive Bronwyn Klei said it was hard to argue now with Netball Australia’s decision to sell the game.

Thunderbirds Hannah Petty (L), and Matilda Garrett (R) with Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei. Picture: Mark Brake

“I think I can argue it both ways,” Klei said.

“I think that first and foremost, the Adelaide Thunderbirds have to be ready to play anyone, anywhere anytime,” she said.

“This is how commercial deals get done these days. If you look at the NRL grand final, the AFL grand final, this is how these events are now running and governments will pay for content.

“So I do buy into Netball Australia’s vision of a festival of netball and trying to grow the sport with grand final lunches and breakfasts and captain’s runs.

“And I think Adelaide people will travel.

“Yes it would have been lovely (to host the grand final) but sports also have to make commercial decisions and this decision has been taken by NA in an event to grow it and celebrate it.”

What is more likely though is that the government will invest in the Thunderbirds, both through support for taking matches to the 9000-seat capacity Adelaide Entertainment Centre and in upgrading the organisation’s Mile End Netball SA Stadium home.

Originally published as Super Netball: Adelaide was never going to pry the grand final from Victoria