Netball: Solomon backs 'magnificent' lifting move

Some may call it cheating _ but Rotorua netball stalwart Mirth Solomon reckons it's "fascinating'', "innovative'' and "simply magnificent''.

The Northern Mystics debuted a revolutionary tactic against the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday which has got the netball world talking _ defender Anna Harrison being lifted by a team-mate for four successful `goal tends'.

Mrs Solomon, an ex-New Zealand player and now president of Rotorua Netball, said the ploy was within the rules of the game, so "good on them'' for doing it.

"I think it was innovative and they did it beautifully,'' she said.

"All's fair in love and war.''

She said it was wonderful the game was constantly evolving.

"It made it more exciting. I'm quite certain the next game the Mystics play their venue is going to be full and Sky viewing will treble.''

Mrs Solomon hoped the rule-makers did not rush to outlaw the practice, which she said was bound to spread to other teams.

"Should you in any way come down and injure another player I would draw the line but they're not doing that.''

She said it would be a huge test of the brains of both players and coaches as to how to counter the new threat, but had one suggestion for shooters.

"Simply don't stand still,'' she said.

"Why aren't our shooters laying the ball up like they do in basketball?''

Bay of Plenty and Whakarewarewa coach Carol Holt agreed the Mystics did not break any rules.

"Some people may take it as not in the spirit of the game but personally I think there's nothing wrong with it. Full credit to them,'' she said.

"If you can push the boundaries, why not?''

While it was the first time she had seen the assisted lift, it was not the first time Ms Holt had seen goal tending in action.

"I coached the Rotorua men's team for a few seasons and they used to do it because they were capable of jumping that high by themselves.''

She said her Bay of Plenty and Whakarewarewa sides both had the players to pull off the move, but she had not thought too much about using it _ yet.

"I will have to think about it _ it's out there now isn't it.''

Mystics coach Debbie Fuller said her team had been working on the technique for about a month.

"It's very exciting. I'm very glad that Anna had the courage to pull it off,'' she told Newstalk ZB.

The star defender's ability to intercept the ball on a flight path to the goal initially confounded the commentators in Sunday's clash.

"I've never seen any netballer jump that high,'' exclaimed one.

Several replays later they realised Harrison was in fact assisted by her defensive partner, Kayla Cullen.

There are no laws against goal tending in netball, because  until now, no athlete has been capable of elevating themselves above the height of the goal.