Super Netball is back by 2025, and sport is in a great place. In the four games played throughout the country, the League broke its attendance record for the first round with an eight percent increase in last season (22,369), despite being face to face with AFL in some states.
The dream of the Thunderbirds of Adelaide of a three mob of three mobs began in the best possible way, since the reigning champions beat the Melbourne foxes in their fourth consecutive meeting, 66-53.
The majority of the experts wrote the opportunities of the title of the Thunderbirds leading and there were serious questions about the aptitude of their Jamaican subjects. In the end, they were the only local team to seal the victory, registering its largest crowd for a first game of the season (7,683).
The Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-59 defeated Melbourne’s Mavericks in the 150 game of Liz Watson, the giants lost to the Firebirds 62-57 of Queensland and the fever of the west coast were surpassed by the NSW Swifts 67-49.
The Firebirds result was significant, since the side seeks redemption after so much agitation last year. His fans will feel much more positive this week since the new chief coach Kiri Wills delivered her first -round victory in Super Netball. He just took nine seasons!
If you missed it, don’t worry, we will put you up to date with our Round-up Super Netball.
Clear Jamaican imports
Aiken-George was seen in training during the period prior to the first round. (ABC News: Jack Stephens)
In the Girls Team Cup there were concerns for Romelda Aiken-George and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey. Neither of them appeared in the final and both had a limited game time in the group stages.
The Thunderbirds raised the preseason trophy without them, hitting fever by a goal, 38-37. It was here that fans began to speculate what Sanmarie Visser South African was doing in Adelaida, when the Proteas defender was seen next to the club staff.
The most likely explanation would have been that the Thunderbirds were worried about goalkeeper Sterling-Humphrey, who had been fighting calf tendonitis. Instead, the club announced that Visser was going to be a potential temporary replacement for Aiken-George, since the shooter had recently underwent minor knee surgery.
The loss of only one of these players would have been a great success for the possibilities of the Thunderbirds. Aiken-George was the great final MVP and Sterling-Humphrey is largely considered the best GK worldwide. His experience tells a lot when it comes to the official season.
The good news is that Sunshine’s two girls were authorized to play. Aiken-George was subjected to a last-minute physical conditioning test one day before once again put a player of the winning performance of the match against the Vixens. He stood up in a physical battle under the post and showed no signs of knee pain, turning 34 of his 35 goal shots.
The impact of Sterling-Humphrey on the game is more difficult to evaluate. He was quieter than usual, but he still managed to accumulate six profits and terrorize the foxes Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin.
Sterling-Humphrey (left) and Latty Wilson are key to the defense of Thunderbirds. (AAP: Matt Turner)
Lasting in the four rooms, Sterling-Humphrey didn’t seem to have any pain. However, for a player with such great reflexes and closing speed, the referees had to warn several times to adjust their time. Something to monitor.
Debutants for days
Glasgow made an emotional return to court after more than a year free with injuries. (Getty: Graham Denholm)
An unprecedented number of debutants hit the court for seven of the eight teams. Seven players experienced Super Netball for the first time. Five changed clubs.
The former demon of Melbourne, Ruck Maggie Carris, starred in the back for the foxes. Verity Simmons also kept his football boots, joining swifts after an AFLW season with West Coast Eagles.
Sasha Glasgow finally became a rebel, 14 months after a horrible rest on her legs in a preseason game. The huge mental and physical journey in which he has been to return is a testimony of his character.
The New Zealand shooter, Grace Nweke, impressed in the debut for Swifts. (Supplied: NSW Swifts)
Uganda Mary Cholhok became the highest shooter in the history of the League with 2.01 m high when she started the front for the Firebirds. Imogen Allison of England Midcourter also put on the purple dress for the first time. Both imports made a name in the Super League of the United Kingdom and are now looking for the next low challenge.
The long -awaited arrival of the New Zealand shooter, Grace Nweke, did not disappoint. By nailing 51 of his 88 percent shots, Nweke showed that it is a force to take into account. No shooter scored more goals in the first round than the kiwi, since the swifts changed their game style to feed as high and possible in their goal.
If it is not Nweke, we would argue that the debutante who stole the center of attention was the giants of 18 years halfway Hope White. It is not easy to be the second option for a family name such as Gina Crampton, but White has taken a step forward since the former Silver Ferns captain announced that he would take a maternity leave in 2025.
In the second quarter, the teenager offered a spark and clarity that was missing in its attack end. He approached the statistics of Diamond Jamie-Lee Price in 15 minutes less game time (21 foods, 15 goal assists) and hit Circle Edge, feeding the shooters easily.
Giants shock with AFL
You can see empty seats in Ken Rosewall Arena while giants receive the Firebirds. (Getty: Mark Kolbe)
It is great to see how many people resulted for the first round, but there are still areas of improvement when it comes to crowd numbers.
The giants had 2,517 fans who appeared Sunday at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. A good path of its average crowd of 4.102 in 2024.
It was strong and there was a good atmosphere. Even so, it was disappointing to see so many empty seats in a stadium that can fit 10,500 people.
The giants played West Coast at the same time in Sydney Showguerund. (Getty Images: James Worsfold)
Working against them was a clash with the AFL giants, who were in action at the same time just along the way in a four round match against the eagles of the west coast.
The fever experienced a similar clash when they faced the Fremantle Dockers, but they still managed to register a crowd of 8,353.
For giants to have two teams playing in the same city at the same time feel like madness? Especially when Netball NSW has a decent voice during winter in the availability of Ken Rosewall Arena.
It is worrying that a team that has made the grand final twice before and has spent about seven years more than the Mavericks, had a multitude smaller than the 3,816 of the newcomers.
Delta Goodrem acted before the Ronda match one of the Mavericks in Melbourne, helping to attract fans. (Getty: Graham Denholm)
Finishing sixth in 2023 and the last in 2024, it has been no secret that giants sometimes fight to attract a crowd. Despite this, and a serious range in the form, they only made a list of list this season.
There was even talk in the Club’s NSW circles considering moving its games to the old Sydney Park Sympic Park Sports Center 4,000 seats to save cash this year. They have not played there since 2019.
The AFL launched its matches on November 13. Super Netball continued on November 25.
The giants played in large finals in 2017 and 2021, but their crowds have decreased. (AAP: Russell Freeman)
“I definitely think sports could work together,” said chief coach Julie Fitzgerald. “If you look at the raffle, it happens again, it even happens in Melbourne, so it is disappointing.”
Have we not learned anything from the fall of the Uracas de Collingwood?
The game’s day experience is excellent, so what’s wrong here? Super Netball needs to do everything in your possession to ensure that giants last.
