Until this season, the NSW Swifts were the ultimate bridesmaids of Australia’s Super Netball league. After their remarkable undefeated streak of eight rounds ended in dramatic fashion with two back-to-back defeats within the last few weeks. These losses have raised eyebrows and ignited conversations about the roster as a whole—specifically players’ behavior on and off the court. The league is changing every day. Recent rule changes, combined with high profile incidents during matches, have raised concerns over how officials are responding to player frustrations.
In Round 10, Sophie Fawns, who had missed the entire season up that point while recovering from injury, made her long-awaited debut, a significant moment for the Swifts. With the T2s, Coach Briony Akle went for gold and made an astounding 26 changes across six quarters of netball. This decision displays her willingness to find the best mixtures for her team. Allie Smith has been an integral part of the senior line-up, but her inconsistent presence has raised eyebrows. This has led to questions about the way in which she is shaping the team’s culture.
Player Conduct and New Rules
Two highly publicized matches in recent weeks have underscored the dramatic change in enforcement of player behavior by officials. Swifts’ star player Helen Housby, crucial to the team’s success, was given a penalty for contact in the dying moments of the third quarter. Her public protests against the call have turned every head in D.C. Lara Dunkley’s opposition to a bad call by the referees. This is further evidence of the rising player frustration at confusion over officiating.
We asked Sharon Kelly, world class netball umpire and an authority on netball officiating, to help break down the rule changes to player behaviour.
“The rule was adjusted at the beginning of last year that for ‘disputed ruling’, which used to be called ‘dissent’, it is now an advancement,” – Sharon Kelly.
Kelly described the changes and how they’re intended to change player behavior in more impactful ways.
“Prior to that, it was dealt with by proactive advice or a caution, so that may make people feel like it’s being officiated a little differently,” – Sharon Kelly.
First, critics of the previous system will tell you that it didn’t produce the results we wanted.
“It wasn’t being effective in changing the player’s behaviour, whereas an advancement does,” – Sharon Kelly.
As players adjusted to these new rules, events have turned into cases of players’ frustrations boiling over and becoming a situation where players confronted umpires. Tayla Fraser has felt the effects of this after receiving a 50m infringement for showing her disgust at an umpire’s decision. Moloney mentioned that officials were particularly sensitive to players’ reactions.
“That’s been something the umpires have been really hot on this season, is any reaction or any chat back to them, and that’s why the ball was advanced there,” – Kate Moloney.
These rules, along with the Morton goring incident, are part of a larger movement in sports to crack down on poor officiating and player behavior.
Strategic Adjustments and Team Dynamics
Despite setbacks, the Swifts have shown resilience. In a recent game against the Vixens, the Dogs used the super shot as a comeback tactic to close the score line remarkably. The Swifts scored 12 two point shots in this match showcasing their tactical fight to stay in the game with the recent losses they’ve faced.
There have been issues with consistency for Jenny Akle’s squad. No other single absence has impacted the Boathouse as severely as Allie Smith’s. Her depth contributions would arrest momentum and wrest control during matches to the US’s advantage. Observers pointed out that absent from Smith’s impact, the Swifts were missing needed firepower through the middle of the court.
Wills is now officially settled in as head coach. She’s already out there trying to find the most effective combinations to get the best overall team performance. The ongoing search for a suitable replacement for Maddy Proud highlights the Swifts’ challenges in finding stability amid fluctuating personnel decisions.
Officiating Challenges and Responses
Criminalized as the officiating landscape in Super Netball is, it is facing drastic changes, as well. Nicole Richardson’s run in with an umpire underscored the aggressive atmosphere on the court. In a compelling turf-side scene during a semifinal match, as Richardson berated an official, the official clutched her ear and shot back, “Heck no!
Courtney Bruce was stunned on more than one occasion when asking an umpire to explain a call. These kinds of reactions from players highlight the great stakes, as well as the emotional intensity, that comes with competitive play in the Super Netball.
As league policies continue to change, it’s on players and coaches just the same to understand and stay ahead of standards of behavior going forward.
“In Super Netball, the game is played at such speed that sometimes, whilst the umpires will try hard to give very succinct directions to a player, the wording comes out harsh,” – Sharon Kelly.
Kelly’s admission is a blistering indictment of the challenges that come with officiating the highest levels of sport. Each choice has the potential to change the entire game’s landscape.
