‘Can’t have both’: Magpies urged to make crunch call and ‘go with the Australian’ amid club turmoil

The Collingwood Magpies soon might not exist in Super Netball, but they’re being urged to make a tough call to fix their on-court struggles.

Collingwood is in crisis mode on and off the court at the moment as the Magpies attempt to salvage some pride from the last five rounds of the Super Netball season.

The Magpies sit on the bottom of the ladder and will miss finals, while the club’s netball program is under review amid reports it is “haemorrhaging financially”.

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There’s a strong chance Collingwood’s netball team could fold and not field a team next season.

Netball Australia is committed to an eight-team competition but there is already talk of whether a replacement team would be located in Queensland, Tasmania or regional Victoria.

Crunch call Magpies have to make

Time will tell if the Magpies will take the court next year, but if they do, they’ll need to make a crunch call about the goal shooter position.

Sophie Garbin starred for the Diamonds in Australia’s recent international series, but playing out of position for Collingwood has put her spot in the World Cup squad in jeopardy.

The 26-year-old made the move from the Swifts last season but has struggled playing out of position at goal attack, with Collingwood playing Jamaican Shimona Nelson at goal shooter.

It’s become clear the combination isn’t working, and former Magpie Madi Browne has urged Collingwood to choose between the two this off-season.

“It’s an unfortunate position for her to be in. But she did come to the club knowing Shimona Nelson was there,” Fox Netball’s Browne told news.com.au.

The Magpies are being urged to back in Sophie Garbin. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

“I think in the off-season they need to make the call. You’ve tried it two seasons in a row. You probably can’t have both. Who are you settling with?

“Of course as an Australian, we’d love to see Sophie getting court time in Australia and hope she’s the focal shooter we need for our country for the next five years. You want her to succeed.

“At no point do you want our players doubting their game plan because they’re down on form and under extreme amounts of pressure. That’s the question Collingwood need to be asking themselves.

“Who do we take? Who do we want? And who are we going to work our game plan around? As a former Australian player, I’m like let’s go with the Australian.”

It’s worth noting six out of the eight Super Netball teams have imports as their first-choice goal shotoer — Nelson (Magpies), Romelda Aiken-George (Swifts), Jo Harten (Giants), Jhaniele Fowler (Fever), Eleanor Cardwell (Thunderbirds), and Mwai Kumwenda (Vixens).

Garbin is battling Donnell Wallam for the fourth shooting spot in Australia’s World Cup squad, and believes she has enough runs on the board for Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich to keep the faith.

“I think she’s done enough on the international stage,” Browne said.

“I don’t think that would be worrying for Stacey Marinkovich. But as long as that’s being communicated. As long as they’re feeling capable and confident, I don’t think it’s a problem.

“It’s not just Sophie, there’s a lot of players in the Diamonds mix that aren’t putting their absolute best foot forward week in, week out.

Collingwood’s netball team is on the brink of collapse. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Where to for the Magpies?

Browne was part of Collingwood’s inaugural team in 2017 and believes the team needs to find an identity in order to stay in games and make a decent fist of the season.

“They’ve got all the right tools,” she said.

“It’s just executing it for long enough and in the right moments.

“Unfortunately when it gets tough, they seem to internalise and not find a way to win.

“With the Magpies, it’s been a struggle to find those consistent wins, not just this year but since their inception. They look a little bit lost in exactly what they’re going.”

On Sunday, Collingwood take on the NSW Swifts, who are chasing their sixth straight win.

Grand Final ‘fortress’ gives Vixens ‘mental edge’

The Melbourne Vixens may be fourth on the ladder but they are right in the hunt for the premiership, along with the Fever, Swifts and Thunderbirds.

Last year’s runners-up are undefeated on their home court John Cain Arena, which could prove crucial given this season’s Grand Final will be held there as part of Netball Australia’s $15 million sponsorship deal with the Victorian government.

“It might be a little bit of a mental edge they have on their opponents, who might feel they can’t win there,” Browne said.

The Vixens are undefeated at John Cain Arena. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

“Why wouldn’t you be making it a fortress and making it really, really hard to come and play in Melbourne, especially if the Grand Final’s going to be here.

“It’s confidence the Vixens can take into each game playing at John Cain Arena.”

The Vixens have won five games at John Cain Arena but their perfect home record will be challenged on Saturday against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who sit on top of the table.

“Cannot wait, it’s the game of the round,” Browne said.

Super Netball Round 10 (all times AEST)

Giants vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Saturday 5pm

Melbourne Vixens vs Adelaide Thunderbirds — Saturday 7pm (Kayo Freebies)

NSW Swifts vs Collingwood Magpies — Sunday 2pm (Kayo Freebies)

West Coast Fever vs Queensland Firebirds — Sunday 4pm