All things netball and entertainment

All things netball and entertainment Where netball stories, fun, news meet entertainment
Note: In case you are good at reading and story telling, welcome home
(1)

THE PARMENTER PARADOX: Statistical Masterclass or Selection Blindspot?Looking back to her performance in round 12 agains...
03/06/2026

THE PARMENTER PARADOX: Statistical Masterclass or Selection Blindspot?
Looking back to her performance in round 12 against the West Coast fever, Amy Parmenter gathered 7 Gains, 5 Intercepts, 4 Deflections. This isn't just a good game; this is a defensive clinic for a mid court player.

Yet, here we are again. Despite her consistent dominance for the Mavericks, Amy Parmenter finds herself on the outer looking in. It has been a few years since she last donned the Diamonds dress, and fans are starting to wonder: is she being systematically "axed" by a system that refuses to evolve?

Stacey Marinkovich has a luxury problem—a mid-court flooded with elite talent. But when a specialist WD is putting up these kinds of numbers, can you really justify leaving that disruptive power off the team heading toward the Commonwealth Games? Or is there a specific tactical blueprint in the Diamonds camp that simply doesn't have room for a specialist disruptor?

Some see an elite defender at the peak of her powers, while others argue the current Diamonds structure is non-negotiable.

We want to hear from you. The stats don't lie, but do they paint the full picture?

TEAM PARMENTER: Do You believe form must be rewarded, and her specific defensive skill set is exactly what the Diamonds are missing to beat the best in the world?

TEAM STRUCTURE: Do you believe the current mid-court balance is perfect and that Marinkovich’s vision requires a different type of player, regardless of individual stats?

Tell us why the selectors might get it right—or dead wrong.

A rare photo of Courtney Bruce doing Courtney Bruce things.My GK of the century.Which part of Bruce's game do you like m...
02/06/2026

A rare photo of Courtney Bruce doing Courtney Bruce things.
My GK of the century.
Which part of Bruce's game do you like most?

THE DIAMONDS DILEMMA: WHO GETS THE AXE? 💎🔥Stacey Marinkovich dropped the 2026-27 Diamonds squad, and the heat is absolut...
02/06/2026

THE DIAMONDS DILEMMA: WHO GETS THE AXE? 💎🔥
Stacey Marinkovich dropped the 2026-27 Diamonds squad, and the heat is absolutely OFF THE CHARTS! We have five world-class shooters fighting for only four spots on the plane to Glasgow. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✈️

It’s a brutal numbers game. One of these superstars is going to be left watching from the couch, and the netball world is officially divided.

THE CONTENDERS:
Donnell Wallam (Lightning): Back in the green and gold after 3 years! She’s the ultimate "tall timber"—the only target who’s been bullying defenders all season. With her return to form, is she the secret weapon to topple the international giants?
National Indigenous Times

Cara Koenen (Lightning): The Queen of the Baseline. She’s added GA versatility to her toolkit, making her a dual-threat nightmare. That Lightning chemistry with Wallam? Absolutely lethal.

Sophie Garbin (Vixens): The trick-master. She’s been holding the front like a fortress and her World Cup experience makes her a coach’s dream. She’s arguably in the form of her life.
Netball Victoria - Netball Australia

Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS): The lone survivor. She’s carried the GIANTS on her back with sheer grit and legendary range. When the pressure is at 100%, she rarely misses.

Kiera Austin (Vixens): Unmatched energy. Her connection with Garbin at the 2023 World Cup was nothing short of poetic destruction.

THE REALITY CHECK:
The stats don't lie: Australia is hunting Gold in Glasgow, but Marinkovich has a "selection headache" that could decide the tournament before it even begins. Keeping one of these talents as a reserve is a luxury—or a massive risk.

Is it about the "tall target" power of Wallam, or the tactical versatility of the others?

📢 THE BIG DEBATE: If you were the selector, who are you leaving behind to stay home? Is it time to drop a veteran for the raw power of a Wallam comeback, or do you stick with the tried-and-tested combinations?

DROP YOUR VERDICT BELOW! Are you or ? Let’s hear your first four! 👇

THE GA IDENTITY CRISIS: EVOLUTION OR IDENTITY THEFT? 📉💎The "Goal Attack" role is undergoing its biggest transformation i...
02/06/2026

THE GA IDENTITY CRISIS: EVOLUTION OR IDENTITY THEFT? 📉💎
The "Goal Attack" role is undergoing its biggest transformation in history, and it’s turning the netball world upside down. 🌍

Gone are the days when a GA’s primary job was simply to be the "playmaker"—that crafty, vision-first pivot who lived in the center third. The modern game, heavily influenced by the raw, high-intensity Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) 2026 season, has shifted the blueprint. We are now seeing the rise of the "Shooting-Machine" GA—players who are expected to mirror the Goal Shooter’s output, drain Super Shots from the edge of the circle, and act as a secondary focal point.

THE SHOCKING STATS:
Look at the 2026 data:

The Super Shot Surge: Players like Kiera Austin and Sophie Dwyer are putting up 40+ Super Shots in domestic play. It’s not just a tactical play anymore; it’s a non-negotiable requirement.

The Workload Gap: Modern GAs are now recording higher volume attempts than some traditional shooters from a decade ago.

The "Playmaker" Fade: In 2016, a GA was defined by her feeds and assists. In 2026, if you aren't hitting 90%+ from range, you’re becoming a defensive liability for your side.

THE NOSTALGIC DIVIDE:
Remember the era of the "General"? The GA who controlled the entire attacking third, feeding the GS with precision, moving in tight, and only taking the shot when the defensive pressure collapsed. That style won World Cups and Commonwealth Golds. Today, some argue we are losing the "art of the feed" in favor of pure, distance-based scoring efficiency.

Are we "upgrading" the position, or are we just making every GA a backup Goal Shooter?

If we move toward a "Shooting-Machine" model, do we risk losing the creative genius that creates space in the circle? Or is the "traditional playmaker" simply too slow for the blistering pace of the 2026 game?

Stacey Marinkovich has a squad that perfectly represents this conflict—a mix of trick-masters, range-shooters, and tactical playmakers. Choosing just four means someone is going to lose out, and the "ideal" style of the future is on the line.

📢 LET’S SETTLE THIS:
Does the perfect Diamonds GA of 2026 need to be a "Playmaker" who feeds the circle (the classic way) or a "Shooting-Machine" who can drop Super Shots from anywhere (the modern way)?

Tell us your pick ; are you a traditionalist or a modern-game advocate? 👇

🚨 THE GLASGOW SHUTOUT: Who Makes the Plane?The clock is ticking toward the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the pressure on ...
02/06/2026

🚨 THE GLASGOW SHUTOUT: Who Makes the Plane?
The clock is ticking toward the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the pressure on the England Roses shooting circle is reaching a boiling point. With only four seats on the plane to Glasgow, two of the hottest names in world netball are about to be left behind.

We’ve crunched the numbers, analyzed the form, and looked at the tactical puzzle facing the coaching staff. Here is the breakdown of the six contenders fighting for glory:

The Contenders
Eleanor Cardwell (Manchester Thunder): The seasoned veteran. With elite SSN experience and a World Cup silver medal, she is the backbone of the circle. Fact: Her return to Manchester Thunder has re-established a lethal domestic connection that is almost impossible to ignore.

Sasha Glasgow (West Coast Fever): The ultimate wildcard. She isn't just a shooter; she’s a floor-general. She can pull up from anywhere and moves with a fluidity that makes defensive structures look like statues.

Liv Tchine(London Pulse): The immovable object. If you need someone who can hold the post against the world’s most aggressive defenders and maintain high-percentage accuracy, Tchine is your go-to.

Ella Clark(Loughborough lightning): The versatility king. Her "turn and shoot" mentality is a nightmare for defenders who rely on set-piece play. She provides a tactical wrinkle that can win a game in the final five minutes.

Lois Pearson(Manchester Thunder): The swing weapon. Her ability to rotate between WA and GA is a tactical luxury, and her chemistry with Cardwell is a proven, high-functioning asset for the Roses.

Berri Neil(Loughborough lightning): The quiet assassin. Don't let the modesty fool you—she is a playmaker who thrives under pressure when the lights are brightest.

The Elephant in the Room
While the competition is fierce, the conversation has been shifted by the devastating loss of Helen Housby to an April injury. Her absence leaves a massive void in international experience, forcing the coaches to decide: Do you prioritize raw, blistering form, or do you play it safe with tournament-hardened veterans?

The Tactical Impact
If you take the two "swing" players (Pearson/Clark), you gain flexibility but lose the pure aerial height needed for a deep tournament run. If you prioritize the "Hold" shooters (Tchine/Cardwell), you dominate the post but risk becoming predictable against disciplined defensive zones.

THE VERDICT:
History tells us that tournaments are won by bench depth, but medals are won by clinical finishers.

We want to hear from you. The debate is on!

Are you team —backing Sasha Glasgow and the high-octane movers to take down the competition? Or are you team —trusting the established chemistry of the Manchester-based core to hold steady when the pressure peaks?

Drop your dream squad of 4 below! 👇

02/06/2026

You must love 💕 this

🕰️ The Nostalgic Debate: Is Victoria the Blueprint?Looking back at the trajectory of Australian netball, there has alway...
02/06/2026

🕰️ The Nostalgic Debate: Is Victoria the Blueprint?
Looking back at the trajectory of Australian netball, there has always been an intense, healthy rivalry regarding how talent is developed. For years, regions have competed for the top spot, but Netball Victoria’s recent haul in the squad selection forces us to look at the numbers and ask: Is this the new gold standard for nurturing talent?

The Victorian Vision: By securing over 25% of the total extended squad, Victoria has proven that their pathway programs—from grassroots to the Vixens' elite environment—are built for high-performance longevity.

Regional Contrast: When we compare this to other states, the debate often shifts to "club vs. state." While some regions rely on importing established stars, Victoria’s model seems focused on long-term home-grown development that pays dividends at the international level.

The "National Pride" Factor: The Vixens' success has arguably become the heartbeat of the current national setup. But does this centralization of talent actually help the national team, or does it stifle competitive balance in the domestic league?

We are watching a shift in the power dynamic of Australian netball. The investment is visible, the results are undeniable, but the conversation is just getting started.

👇
Do you believe that the existence of imports in other teams is impacting their contribution towards the national squad and what should be done moving forward?

THE FINAL AUDITION: Who survives Dame Noeline’s Glasgow cut? 🇳🇿 NetballWith just days remaining in the 2026 ANZ Premiers...
02/06/2026

THE FINAL AUDITION: Who survives Dame Noeline’s Glasgow cut? 🇳🇿 Netball

With just days remaining in the 2026 ANZ Premiership regular season, the intensity on the court has reached fever pitch. For the Silver Ferns, the "final audition" isn't just about winning games—it's about proving who has the grit to reclaim the podium in Glasgow.

Dame Noeline Taurua is keeping her cards close to her chest, but the stats tell a story. We’re watching a transition phase like no other:
✨ The Nweke Factor: With Grace Nweke in the fold, how much does the offensive structure change?
🛡️ Defensive Depth: In the wake of Catherine Hall’s injury, who steps up as the primary enforcer in the circle?
📈 The New Guard: From Carys Stythe to Filda Vui, the pressure is on for the next generation to prove they can handle the international stage against the world’s best.

The squad announcement in mid-June will be the most anticipated reveal of the year. The question remains: have we seen enough to trust this "new-look" Silver Ferns side to take down the Diamonds and the Sunshine Girls?
💬 We want to hear from you: If you were the selector, who is the one player you absolutely cannot leave off the plane to Scotland? Drop their name below and tell us why! 👇

THE RESISTANCE TO THE TWO-POINT ARC: Why Adelaide’s Traditionalism Could Cost Them a Championship 🚨The Adelaide Thunderb...
02/06/2026

THE RESISTANCE TO THE TWO-POINT ARC: Why Adelaide’s Traditionalism Could Cost Them a Championship 🚨

The Adelaide Thunderbirds are playing a dangerous game of netball chicken, and the entire netball world is losing its collective mind over it. Right now, they possess arguably the most suffocating, multi-layered defensive circle in Super Netball history—a unit that routinely leaves world-class attackers looking completely lost. But when the clock ticks down and the siren screams for the Super Shot period, this terrifying juggernaut turns into a hesitant, over-calculating shadow of itself. Analysts are screaming from the sidelines, and honestly, the frustration is palpable: how can a team that utterly dominates standard 1-point play become so structurally paralyzed by the two-point arc? It is a glaring, unfiltered c***k in their armor that transforms a comfortable lead into a tactical nightmare, proving that their sheer refusal to adapt to modern, high-variance shooting is no longer a quirk—it’s an active liability.

Let’s be deeply analytical here: this isn't just about missing shots; it’s a systemic psychological block. While rivals hunt the Super Shot with an aggressive, nothing-to-lose mentality that shifts momentum in seconds, Adelaide’s tactical hesitancy stalls their entire transitional flow. They are fundamentally a traditionalist side trapped in an entertainment-era rulebook. By over-passing, burning the clock, and second-guessing their distance, they essentially play directly into their opponents' hands, gifting away tactical leverage. If you refuse to weaponize the two-point arc, you aren't just saving possessions; you are inviting the elite teams to visually shrink your lead without even needing to match your defensive work rate. It is a heartbreaking vulnerability that threatens to unravel all their defensive masterclasses when the stakes are at their absolute highest.

This is the ultimate modern netball paradox, and it’s dividing purists from progressives. We need to look at the personnel anchoring this strategy and ask the hard, uncomfortable questions. Can a team truly be considered a flawless, modern dynasty if they are fundamentally terrified of the sport’s most explosive scoring mechanic?

THE ULTIMATE LADDER SPLIT: CHOOSE YOUR SIDE 🔻

This is where the fan base fractures right down the middle, and we want to hear your raw, unfiltered thoughts.

Are the Thunderbirds' coaches completely justified in sticking to a disciplined, high-percentage 1-point strategy that honors traditional netball, or is this stubborn tactical hesitancy a betrayal of their shooters' raw potential that will inevitably cost them the Grand Final?

Break down the shooting stats, and tell us exactly who needs to step up and hold the circle when the pressure mounts!

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3000

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when All things netball and entertainment posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to All things netball and entertainment:

Featured

Share