Melbourne Vixens-Collingwood Magpies Super Netball result stands despite centre pass drama

A review has ruled that officials erred twice in the crucial dying stages of the Vixens-Magpies derby. And Super Netball has apologised.

The result of the controversial match between the Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Vixens will stand despite a Netball Australia review finding officials erred twice in the crucial dying stages of the match.

The review acknowledged an error was made in allowing the Vixens consecutive centre passes in the final stages of the game which ultimately led to them overhauling the Magpies and winning a thriller 62-61 at John Cain Arena.

An error was also made in denying Collingwood coach Nicole Richardson tactical time-out in the dying stages, a period in which she was trying to inform officials of the centre pass error.

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said the league acknowledged errors were made in respect of both consecutive centre passes and the tactical time-out.

A referee and Magpies coach Nicole Richardson appear to disagree.

“Human error is a feature of all sport, and while this is the case, we apologise to the Magpies and acknowledge the need to identify and apply mechanisms to better support our umpires, officials and teams,” Ryan said.

In acknowledging the increasing speed and professionalism of the competition, the league has today clarified with the eight teams:

If the score bench identifies there may be an error in the centre pass, they must make every attempt to sound an alert before the next centre pass is taken.

Molly Jovic and Kate Maloney jostle.

Any on-court player may appeal to an on-court umpire of a potential error in centre pass.

The reserve umpire may refer to the scoreboard to clarify next centre pass. The reserve umpire must notify the on-court umpires immediately and before the next centre pass if an error is identified.

Only on-court players are permitted to call a tactical time out. Head coaches or any other person on the team bench are not permitted to call a tactical time out.

If there is confusion or ambiguity as to whether the time out has been called, the officiating umpire will take steps to clarify with the player that called time.

The Vixens celebrate their controversial win.

All Suncorp Super Netball umpires receive individualised coaching and development plans after each match and their performance is analysed and assessed by Netball Australia’s umpire coaching panel.

During the 2023 season, Netball Australia is trialling a new data analysis system to provide umpires with analytical information to support their coaching and development plans.

All umpires, match delegates, workforce managers and bench managers will participate in an online session this week following the review.

Rule amendments will be considered at the next meeting of the Super Netball rules of the game committee in May.

The review into Saturday night’s abandoned match between the Thunderbirds and Swifts is ongoing.

Originally published as Melbourne Vixens-Collingwood Magpies Super Netball result stands despite centre pass drama