The world did not end, the sky did not fall, and the netball was very, very good.
Round 1 of Suncorp Super Netball saw the introduction of the bonus point system to reward teams who win quarters through matches. Basically there are now four points on offer for the winner of each match, which get split to two points apiece in the case of a draw. The big change, though, is that now each quarter has a bonus championship point on offer for the team that wins the quarter.
Swifts celebrate after their win over the Firebirds.
Photo: AAP
Last weekend we saw basically every permutation of the bonus point playing out. West Coast Fever won all four quarters and sit pretty on top of the ladder with eight points, while Melbourne Vixens won only one quarter in their match against cross-town rivals the Magpies, but it was enough to win the match. As a result they picked up five points and a single bonus point to sit in fifth. Giants and Swifts picked up two bonus points each and are comfortably in second and third respectively.
I loved it. Its super exciting to be looking at the game within a game. It adds a little bit of pepper to the final couple of minutes of the quarter and from a commentary point of view it allows us to weave a story through the match.
Most importantly one of the biggest fears surrounding the introduction of the bonus point system didnt eventuate. This was that coaches wouldnt turn to the bench to blood new players and risk losing a quarter and a valuable competition point in the process.
Advertisement
At the end of the day the goal is still to win a match, and given the even nature of the league, there will actually be little opportunity for teams to lead by so much that they will be in a position to simply give a new player a run. When players are brought into the game off the bench it will be to do a specific job, and the coach will need to have a fairly good idea beforehand whether the player is up to it. It may sound unfair, but professional sport is cut-throat, and unlike under 10s, not everyone gets a turn.
The best example of this was in the match between the NSW Swifts and the Queensland Firebirds. With her team trailing by as much as eight goals in the first part of the match, rookie Swifts coach Briony Akle introduced all three bench players in an effort to turn the match, including debutantes Sophie Garbin at goal shooter and Kate Eddy at goal defence in order to find the magic combination to take the game to the far more experienced Firebirds.
And did they ever take the game to the big names in the Firebirds. Garbin, with her height, strength and movement, outplayed Diamonds legend Laura Geitz. She was fearless and nerveless, with a return of 18 goals from 19 attempts in an effort that turned the game for her team. In a match that will go down in the history of the club, the Swifts snatched a last-second victory over a Firebirds team packed full of stars and who hadnt lost to the Swifts since 2016.
It was a brilliant coaching performance from a young coach in her debut match, but she clearly knew what her benchies were capable of. She had worked with them to give them the confidence they needed, and most importantly she played the game in front of her. She went for the win and the bonus points took care of themselves.
The bonus point did what they were intended to do without affecting the integrity of the game. What we got was brilliant netball, nail-biting finishes and the opportunity to talk about our game in a new and exciting way.
Comments disabled
Morning & Afternoon Newsletter
Delivered Mon–Fri.
