2020 Suncorp Super Netball season

The 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season was the fourth season of the premier netball league in Australia. The season was originally scheduled to commence on 2 May, though was delayed to 1 August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3] The defending premiers, New South Wales Swifts were eliminated in the first week of the finals series by the eventual runners-up West Coast Fever.[4] The premiers were the Melbourne Vixens, who defeated the Fever by two goals in the Grand Final at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.[5]

2020 Suncorp Super Netball season
LeagueSuncorp Super Netball
SportNetball
Duration1 August – 18 October
Number of teams8
TV partner(s)Nine Network
Regular season
Minor premiersMelbourne Vixens
Finals
ChampionsMelbourne Vixens
  Runners-upWest Coast Fever

Overview

Teams
Team Captain/s Coach Home Courts Ref.
Adelaide Thunderbirds Chelsea Pitman & Hannah Petty Tania Obst Priceline Stadium
Adelaide Entertainment Centre		 [6]
Collingwood Magpies Madison Browne & Geva Mentor Rob Wright Melbourne Arena
Silverdome		 [7]
Giants Netball Jo Harten Julie Fitzgerald Ken Rosewall Arena
AIS Arena		 [8]
Melbourne Vixens Kate Moloney & Liz Watson Simone McKinnis Melbourne Arena
Margaret Court Arena		 [9]
New South Wales Swifts Maddy Proud Briony Akle Ken Rosewall Arena [10]
Queensland Firebirds Gabi Simpson Roselee Jencke Nissan Arena [11]
Sunshine Coast Lightning Laura Langman Kylee Byrne USC Stadium [12]
West Coast Fever Courtney Bruce Stacey Marinkovich RAC Arena [13]

Format

The season is played over fourteen rounds, allowing every team to play each other twice, once at home and once away. The top four teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the regular season qualify for the finals series. In the first week of the finals series, the 1st ranked team hosts the 2nd ranked team in the major semi-final (with the winner of that match to qualify for the Grand Final) and the 3rd ranked team hosts the 4th ranked team in the minor semi-final (with the loser of that match eliminated). The loser of the major semi-final then hosts the winner of the minor semi-final in the preliminary final. The winner of the major semi-final then hosts the winner of the preliminary final in the Grand Final.

Rule changes

The Super Netball commission announced changes to the league structure in February. Rolling substitutions during play will be permitted, as well as during stoppages and intervals, with no limit to the number of substitutions that can be made, and multiple substitutions allowed to be made at any one time. The substitute must tag hands with the player leaving the court before entering the field of play. Extra time in the event of draws was introduced, after six matches were tied throughout the previous season. The match was to enter one 5-minute period of extra time. If at the end of this period teams remain tied, the match was to have been declared a draw. If a team has a one-goal or greater advantage at the end of the period, they would have been declared the winner. The bonus point system in place for the past two seasons was also supposed to remain in place.[14][15] However, in the days leading up to the season, the league announced it had scrapped bonus points and extra time, citing the need to mitigate the physical impact of the condensed fixture on the players. Teams were also allowed to increase their match-day squads to 12 players, up from 10 in previous years.[16]

Two-goal super shots

After confirming the return of the league on 1 August, competition administrators announced the introduction of the two-point shot rule alteration. The new rule allows a score of two goals to be awarded to any shooter or attacker who scores in the two-goal zone outside the usual goal circle. The move was met with disapproval from many fans and players, though Super Netball CEO Chris Symington argued "the time is right to introduce an innovation that will make the game even more dynamic and unpredictable".[17] The two-goal shot zone will only be activated in the final five minutes of each quarter and in the five-minute extra time period.[18]

Relocation to Queensland

As a result of an increase in COVID-19 positive tests in Victoria, the league initially announced the temporary relocation of the two Victorian teams (Magpies and Vixens) to Queensland.[19] Shortly afterwards, the league revealed it had come to an arrangement with the Queensland Government to move all clubs to a hub in South-East Queensland, thereby allowing a condensed fixture, with most matches played in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Townsville.[20] The two Victorian clubs were required to serve a 14-day quarantine prior to the start of the season.[21]

Player transfers

The league unveiled the list of non-contracted athletes on 14 August 2019, two weeks before that season's finals series were scheduled to commence.[22] Teams had the exclusive right to re-sign any of their existing contracted players, their permanent/temporary replacement players or training partners, on single year or multi-year contracts for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Contracts with players from other teams and leagues could not be announced until the signing period commenced on 16 September 2019. This period closed on 14 October 2019, upon which teams were required to have submitted their 10 senior-listed players for the 2020 season. Training partners could be signed by clubs at any time.[22]

Signings

The following table is a list of players who moved clubs/leagues into Super Netball, or were elevated into a permanent position in the senior team, during the off-season. It does not include players who were re-signed by their original Super Netball clubs.

Name Moving from Moving to Ref
Maddie Hay Giants Netball (ANL; training partner) Giants Netball [23]
Molly Jovic† Tasmanian Magpies (ANL) Collingwood Magpies [24]
Melissa Bragg Tasmanian Magpies (ANL; training partner) Collingwood Magpies [25]
Ine-Mari Venter Melbourne Vixens Queensland Firebirds [26]
Rudi Ellis Victorian Fury (ANL) Queensland Firebirds [26]
Macy Gardner Queensland Fusion (ANL; training partner) Queensland Firebirds [26]
Jodi-Ann Ward Severn Stars Collingwood Magpies [27]
Kate Eddy New South Wales Swifts Melbourne Vixens [28]
Lara Dunkley† Melbourne Vixens Queensland Firebirds [29]
Kayla Johnson Northern Stars New South Wales Swifts [30]
Maisie Nankivell Southern Force (ANL) Adelaide Thunderbirds [31]
Lenize Potgieter Southern Steel Adelaide Thunderbirds [31]

† Indicates player was signed as an injury-replacement player

Pre-season

Bushfire Relief Match

In January 2020, Netball Australia announced an All-Stars match for the pre-season featuring the Australian Diamonds and the best players from the Super Netball league. The match was played as a fundraiser for relief efforts for the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, which had been particularly devastating.[32] The teams were announced on 29 January 2020.[33]

1 March 2020
1:00 pm		 Report  Australia63–56 All-Stars    Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

Team Girls Cup

The league's pre-season tournament, known as the Suncorp Team Girls Cup, was set to return for the second time. The tournament would have taken place between 27 and 29 March at the refurbished Ken Rosewall Arena.[34]

However, on 13 March 2020, the league announced that the event would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]

Regular season
  • The original fixture was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league unveiled six rounds of the revised fixture on 24 July 2020, though subsequent announcements of travel restrictions in Australia forced those fixtures to be re-arranged.[36]

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Ladder
2020 Suncorp Super Netball ladder
Pos Team P W D L GF GA % PTS
1 Melbourne Vixens141112870769113.3346
2 Sunshine Coast Lightning1490582182499.6436
3 West Coast Fever14815964897107.4634
4 New South Wales Swifts14815898885101.4634
5 Queensland Firebirds1461785189395.2926
6 Giants Netball1452788589199.3224
7 Adelaide Thunderbirds1450976979796.4820
8 Collingwood Magpies14101377087288.304
Last updated: 29 September 2020 — Source

Finals series

Major semi-final
Sat 3 Oct
1.00pm		 Report
Stats		 Melbourne Vixens63–47Sunshine Coast Lightning    USC Stadium Nine
Scoring by quarter: 18-13, 16-7, 16-10, 13-17
Scoring by half: 34-20, 29-27
2 Goal Shots
Thwaites  5/7 (71%)
Kumwenda  0/1 (0%)
Philip  0/3 (0%)
1 Goal Shots
Thwaites  20/21 (95%)
Kumwenda  31/31 (100%)
Philip  2/3 (67%)
 2 Goal Shots
Koenen  1/2 (50%)
Wood  3/7 (43%)
1 Goal Shots
Koenen  23/25 (92%)
Wood  16/16 (100%)
Proscovia  0/1 (0%)

Minor semi-final
Sun 4 Oct
12.00pm		 Report
Stats		 West Coast Fever67–62New South Wales Swifts    USC Stadium Nine
Scoring by quarter: 15-17, 14-19, 19-12, 19-14
Scoring by half: 29-36, 38-26
2 Goal Shots
Fowler  0/1 (0%)
Teague-Neeld  2/5 (40%)
1 Goal Shots
Fowler  55/55 (100%)
Teague-Neeld  8/12 (67%)
2 Goal Shots
Wallace  6/9 (67%)
Housby  2/3 (67%)
1 Goal Shots
Wallace  34/35 (97%)
Housby  10/14 (71%)
Garbin  2/3 (67%)

Preliminary final
Sun 11 Oct
12.00pm		 Report
Stats		 Sunshine Coast Lightning59–73West Coast Fever    USC Stadium Nine
Scoring by quarter: 12-21, 11-18, 18-20, 18-14
Scoring by half: 23-39, 36-34
2 Goal Shots
Wood  8/12 (67%)
1 Goal Shots
Wood  13/17 (76%)
Proscovia  16/18 (89%)
Koenen  14/14 (100%)
2 Goal Shots
Fowler  0/1 (0%)
Teague-Neeld  3/4 (75%)
1 Goal Shots
Fowler  60/61 (98%)
Teague-Neeld  7/14 (50%)

Grand Final
Sun 18 Oct
12.00pm		 Report
Stats		 Melbourne Vixens66–64West Coast Fever    Nissan Arena Nine
Scoring by quarter: 15-16, 17-17, 18-14, 16-17
2 Goal Shots
Thwaites  3/7 (43%)
1 Goal Shots
Kumwenda  47/50 (94%)
Thwaites  10/10 (100%)
Philip  3/3 (100%)
2 Goal Shots
Teague-Neeld  4/5 (80%)
Fowler  1/1 (100%)
1 Goal Shots
Fowler  44/45 (98%)
Teague-Neeld  4/5 (80%)

Awards

The following players were awarded for their performances in the 2020 season:[37]

References
  1. "2020 Suncorp Super Netball fixture released". Super Netball. 14 November 2019.
  2. "Suncorp Super Netball 2020 Season on Hold". Super Netball. 23 March 2020.
  3. "Super Netball to start on August 1, with plans for full 60-game season fixture". Wide World of Sports. 2 June 2020.
  4. "Swifts thrash Lightning in Super Netball grand final". The Guardian. 15 September 2019.
  5. "Melbourne Vixens beat West Coast Fever 66-64 in Super Netball Grand Final". Wide World of Sports. 18 October 2020.
  6. "SA talent joins experienced Thunderbird as 2020 co-captain". Adelaide Thunderbirds. 28 July 2020.
  7. "Browne and Mentor continue to lead Pies in 2020". Collingwood Magpies. 25 June 2020.
  8. "Suncorp Super Netball: Jo Harten proud to be named GIANTS' captain". Sky Sports. 7 February 2020.
  9. "Moloney, Watson and Mannix to lead the Vixens in 2020". Melbourne Vixens. 20 July 2020.
  10. "Proud recovered and ready to lead Swifts' 2020 charge". New South Wales Swifts. 7 July 2020.
  11. "Simpson and Bueta to lead Firebirds in 2020". Queensland Firebirds. 24 July 2020.
  12. "Langman and Pretorius remain as Lightning leadership duo". Sunshine Coast Lightning. 3 July 2020.
  13. "2020 Suncorp Super Netball Season Launch". Super Netball. 28 July 2020.
  14. "Suncorp Super Netball Rule Changes". Super Netball. 7 February 2020.
  15. "Harten backs extra time in Super Netball". Bendigo Advertiser. 6 February 2020.
  16. "Bonus points and extra time out for 2020". Super Netball. 28 July 2020.
  17. "Super Netball introduces game-changing but controversial shooting rule". The Guardian. 22 June 2020.
  18. "'Netball is dead': Aussie fans fume over 'craziest, dumb decision'". Yahoo Sport. 22 June 2020.
  19. "Magpies and Vixens all set to relocate to Queensland". Super Netball. 18 July 2020.
  20. "Super Netball season to be played in Queensland". ESPN Australia/New Zealand. 19 July 2020.
  21. "Super Netball moving to Queensland for season starting in August". ABC News. 19 July 2020.
  22. "Suncorp Super Netball Releases List Of Uncontracted Players". Super Netball. 14 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019.
  23. "Maddy Hay signs for 2020". Giants Netball. 6 September 2019.
  24. "Two more for Browne and Jovic gets the call-up". Collingwood Magpies Netball. 12 September 2019.
  25. "Bragg Earns Full-time Magpies Spot For 2020". Super Netball. 24 September 2019.
  26. "Firebirds Release 2020 Playing Roster". Super Netball. 30 September 2019.
  27. "Ward a Magpie". Collingwood Magpies Netball. 2 October 2019.
  28. "Vixens lock in Kate Eddy for 2020". Melbourne Vixens. 4 October 2019.
  29. "Lara Dunkley A Firebird Now". Super Netball. 14 October 2019.
  30. "Silver Fern Kayla Cullen Commits to Swifts for 2020 Season". Super Netball. 14 October 2019.
  31. "Lenize Potgieter Signing Headlines Thunderbirds 2020 Team List". Super Netball. 15 October 2019.
  32. "Diamonds and Super Netball unite for bushfire relief". Netball Australia. 14 January 2020.
  33. "Netball Bushfire Relief Match Teams Unveiled". Super Netball. 29 January 2020.
  34. "Suncorp Team Girls Cup Fixture Released". Super Netball. 5 February 2020.
  35. "VIS Sport: Updates on the events cancelled/postponed". Victorian Institute of Sport. 16 March 2020.
  36. "2020 Suncorp Super Netball fixture revealed". Super Netball. 24 July 2020.
  37. "Fowler wins third Player of the Year Award". Super Netball. 16 December 2020.
  38. "Stats". SSN.
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