Round five of the 2026 Super Netball season proved to be the most competitive weekend yet, with only a 22-goal margin separating the results of the four matches, keeping supporters thoroughly engaged.
The teams occupying the lower half of the standings put up a fight against the top four contenders. Both New South Wales teams demonstrated resilience, while the Melbourne Mavericks and the Sunshine Coast Lightning vied for the coveted fourth position.
Inspired by celebrations of their 30th anniversary, the Swifts managed to extend their unbeaten run by defeating the Vixens 66-59 in Sydney, in a match that required extra effort from the Vixens.
In an unexpected twist, the struggling Giants led the majority of their match against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, a team favored to win. Although they ultimately lost 56-54, this marked their fifth consecutive defeat and the worst start to a Super Netball season in their history. Nonetheless, there was a sense of optimism surrounding their performance, as it was their closest match to securing a win this season.
The Mavericks ended a streak of three narrow losses by securing a 62-53 victory over the Lightning in Queensland, while the West Coast Fever managed to fend off a determined Firebirds team, winning 58-54 in Perth.
Key discussions this week center on the increasing trend of bringing retired legends back into the game, along with the announcement that plans for league expansion in the upcoming year will not proceed as initially considered.
Regarding the potential expansion for 2027, which had been proposed alongside a new broadcasting deal, Netball Australia had previously sought expressions of interest, with a submission deadline set for February. The intention was to introduce two additional teams, expanding the league to ten.
During the season launch in March, Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis noted that independent experts were brought in to evaluate the proposals. She emphasized the need for more player contracts across additional teams while also acknowledging the associated costs involved.
Despite receiving a significant number of high-quality expressions of interest, the process is still ongoing, and an announcement is anticipated later this year. However, due to prolonged negotiations over television rights and the upcoming 2027 World Cup in Sydney, the timeline for expansion has been delayed to 2028.
In a statement to ABC Sport, Netball Australia expressed gratitude to all interested parties while confirming that the expansion plans for 2027 are no longer feasible. They reiterated their commitment to exploring future growth opportunities.
For the past five years, Fox Sport has served as the primary broadcaster for Super Netball in Australia, following a reported $35 million television deal in 2021, which received backing from a federal grant aimed at promoting women’s sports.
With no similar funding available for the upcoming negotiations, there are concerns regarding the potential value of the next broadcasting deal and the bargaining position of netball. The average viewership per match was reported at 57,000 in 2024.
In discussions with the Australian Financial Review about the sport’s goal of engaging 2 million players and fans by 2035, Ellis suggested a possible return to free-to-air television for Super Netball in 2027, potentially in partnership with Fox Sport.
Both the Newcastle Knights and another unnamed entity have confirmed their interest in acquiring Super Netball licenses. Additionally, Mavericks’ owner Craig Hutchison is in a favorable position to secure another team following his acquisition of Collingwood’s license in 2023, although his intentions remain unconfirmed.
While Netball ACT and other organizations had previously shown interest, they did not participate in the recent submission process. The Geelong Football Netball League was also speculated as a potential contender, but there has been no confirmation regarding their involvement.
Moreover, hopes that Netball New Zealand would enter a team or that an existing ANZ Premiership franchise would join the Australian league have diminished, with reports indicating financial constraints within New Zealand’s netball landscape.
It is possible that other private entities submitted expressions of interest that remain undisclosed; however, it is likely that Newcastle, Tasmania, and SEN are the main finalists in the current process.
Encouragingly, even if the next broadcasting deal yields the same or lower financial returns, sources indicate that players will not face pay cuts, as the league or clubs are expected to bridge any financial gaps. This is crucial, especially considering the rapid growth of other women’s sports in Australia.
