Net Gains: Nasty collisions in week two of the Super Netball season highlight awkward rule change debate

Nail biters, thrashings, upsets, it all happened during round two of the Super Netball season. EMMA GREENWOOD provides all the fallout of the weekend’s action in Net Gains.

Interesting to see the way in which World Netball’s new rules around contact to the head and neck area are being implemented in different competitions.

Australia and New Zealand’s top competitions opened last week, with the Kiwis experiencing four suspensions over the opening round of the ANZ Premiership as players and umpires adjusted to new interpretations of dangerous play.

World Netball’s new regulations state a player “must not take any action, either unnecessarily forceful, careless, reckless or dangerous that could affect the safety of another player (including the head and neck)”.

As in many of the football codes, intent is taken into account.

No player has been suspended so far in Super Netball, although many were wondering whether the rule should have been implemented after Melbourne Vixen defender Emily Mannix’s challenge on Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty on Saturday night.

In a decision that could have had an outcome on the game given the Vixens only sealed their one-goal win in the final seconds, Mannix’s flew at a pass across the top of the circle and while she had eyes only for the ball, with her timing just slightly off, her hand clipped Petty and her head rocked back before she fell to the floor.

Maddy Proud of the Swifts and Amy Parmenter of the Mavericks collide. Picture: Getty Images

Petty bounced up quickly and received a pat on the back from Mannix, the pair both recognising there was no malice in the contest.

Another huge contact in the NSW-Melbourne contest was let go and a penalty pass deemed sufficient after Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud’s late contact on Mavericks skipper Amy Parmenter.

Umpires chatted to Proud but the absence of contact with Parmenter’s head allowed her to stay on court.

No one wants to see players removed from the contest unnecessarily. But it will be interesting to see if the interpretations of the rule remain different on each side of the Tasman and what that might mean for contests between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns.

Lara Dunkley was fantastic on the weekend. Picture: Getty Images

DUNKLEY STANDING UP

The outstanding midcourt efforts of Lara Dunkley for the Firebirds on Saturday were a boon for the Queensland club - and not just in getting a nailbiting win against the Giants.

The week-to-week availability of captain Kim Ravaillion - who is recovering from major off-season back surgery - means the Firebirds need plenty from their other mids Dunkley, Macy Gardner and Hulita Veve.

Dunkley was solid but not spectacular in just over half a game against the Thunderbirds last week in what was a heartbreaking loss for the Firebirds.

But in a sign the soon-to-be 29-year-old understands the senior role she needs to adopt in the midcourt, she was outstanding on against the Giants.

Not only did she have 25 goals assists and 43 feeds but - perhaps more importantly - just one turnover.

It’s an incredible level of discipline for a player that was on court for 60 minutes and one that hasn’t always been so frugal.

But it’s a great sign given the increased load Dunkley could have to carry this season.

After a withering 21-goal burst in the opening term that set up a 10-goal lead at the first break, the Firebirds were able to withstand the Giants’ fightback to win their first game of the season in a result that is sure to give a team that many picked as their wooden spooners, a shot of confidence.

Sterling was the difference in the match. Picture: Getty Images

STERLING A STAR

Her team may have gone down on Saturday night by just a goal but it certainly wasn’t due to any lack of effort from Adelaide Thunderbirds goalkeeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.

The Jamaican defender was the difference in her team’s single goal win against the Queensland Firebirds in the season opener last week and she continued to rack up the stats against the Melbourne Vixens, finishing with an amazing 11 gains, including six intercepts.

Sterling-Humphrey’s TBirds partner in crime and Jamaican teammate Latanya Wilson also had five intercepts, while Matilda Garrett had four gains as the league’s best defensive unit put enormous pressure on their opponents.

Given that, the efforts of Diamonds goalers Sophie Garbin (21/25 overall, 2/5 super shot range) and Kiera Austin (19/23, 6/10) were strong, with Garbin looking right at home in her first game for her new side.

Courtney Bruce made her long awaited return to the west. Picture: Getty Images

TOUGH RETURN FOR BRUCE

It was a tough day at the office for Courtney Bruce on Sunday in her return to Perth’s RAC Arena for the first time since leaving West Coast Fever.

Not only did the Lightning go down, but the 25-goal defeat was their biggest loss in almost two years and the Fever’s biggest ever win over the Sunshine Coast.

Bruce had a “soft run” at the return against her old club at the Team Girls Cup, the match giving her an idea of what she would face in Perth in an incredibly physical match in which there was reportedly plenty of banter in the corridors at Ken Rosewall Arena.

Lightning captain Steph Fretwell said while Bruce had been “chilled out” ahead of the contest her teammate were getting around her ahead of the game in what was an “emotional time”.

Fever general manager and Fox Netball commentator Sue Gaudion was the first official Bruce broke the news of her departure to last year and she had some insight into the defender’s likely nerves ahead of the match.

Jhaniele Fowler-Newbhard scored 66 points from 68 attempts on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

“I feel a bit for her, the nervous energy that would have been building up to this round,” Gaudion said.

“She’s an international superstar, she will deal with it but there will be just a moment of nerves for her before the game starts.”

Certainly the massive crowd at RAC Arena welcomed their former captain back warmly.

But Fever goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard walked away with the points from their first meeting after shooting at 97 per cent, 66-of-68 attempts including three-of-three from super shot range.

Bruce finished with four gains, including three intercepts and despite the blow of the loss, is likely to feel some relief that she has the return out of the way.

Eleanor Cardwell was the villain on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

CARDWELL PERFECT VILLAIN

She’s a Super Netball premiership winner, the reigning grand final MVP and one of the best goalers in world netball.

Eleanor Cardwell was a revelation in her first season in Australia playing in the colours of the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

She’s the player her teammates and her club’s fans love. And the one opposition fans love to hate.

Boos sounded around Ken Rosewall Arena at times on Sunday as Cardwell engaged in a feisty contest with Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau.

Cardwell brings out the best in her opponents too.

“You love a good battle against El Cardwell,” Klau said after finishing the match with six deflections and three gains.

“It’s fun to get under (an opponent’s) skin.

When will the Mavericks register their first win? Picture: Getty Images

“I’m proud of the effort we put out today.”

A “whatever it takes” competitor, you get the feeling Cardwell couldn’t care less if she’s the villain - as long as it helps her side to the win.

The Mavericks slumped to their second loss of the season and are still struggling for consistent connections through the court, hardly surprising considering their difficult birth and injury issues in the pre-season.

But as Cardwell pointed out, there will soon come a time when that is not an excuse.

Like her star shooter, coach Tracey Neville is a passionate competitor and her halftime spray was something the team needed after a slow start, Cardwell said.

“Everyone needs to step up and it was not good enough,” she said.

“Tracey was very animated (at halftime) and we needed that passion there and then to throw us into that second half.”

Originally published as Net Gains: Nasty collisions in week two of the Super Netball season highlight awkward rule change debate