Netball: Fears of farce yet to be dispelled

Magic's head coach Julie Fitzgerald (centre) says there's a commercial reason for the new system. Photo / photosport.co.nz

The inequity of the transtasman league's controversial new conference system is already pronounced after the opening three rounds of the competition.

A revamp of the ANZ Championship this season saw the New Zealand and Australian sides split off into separate conferences, with the top three teams from each country to advance through to the finals.

Given Australia's dominance of the league over the first seven seasons, it was expected the changes would unfairly advantage the Kiwi teams and create the potential for farcical play-off scenarios.

The early rounds of the competition have done little to dispel those fears with disparities between the two points tables emerging. If you were to combine the points tables, Australian teams would occupy the top four spots, with the Northern Mystics (one win, one loss and a draw) the best-placed of the New Zealand sides in fifth.

The tables should become more in line with one another over the next few weeks as the competition moves into the intra-country phase. But the competition's other famed bugbear - the one and a half round draw system - will ensure the controversial structure of the competition will remain a key talking point.

But it is a talking point Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald has little patience with. "I think we all know the point of the conference. There's a commercial reason for the conference. Sky New Zealand put an awful lot of money into the competition and they want teams from New Zealand in the finals and shown live on Sky," said Fitzgerald. "I think it does add interest to it. The Australian conference now will be very, very interesting and I think the New Zealand one will as well.

"The five teams in each country are much closer than they have been in a long time."

After meeting Australian teams over the opening three rounds, the Magic will take on their first New Zealand opponent this Sunday when they host the winless Tactix in Hamilton. Fitzgerald said the mindset for her side does not change as they enter the domestic phase of the competition.

"Yes, there are slight differences between the Tactix this week and the Vixens last week, but then there were slight differences between the Thunderbirds and Vixens.

"I think all teams have their own style and all teams have their own strengths and weaknesses," she said.

"To me [the conference system] doesn't make any difference. You get two points for a win whether you play a New Zealand team or an Australian team," said Fitzgerald.

Star shooter Jo Harten remains in doubt as she battles back from a rib injury. The English import was forced from the court in her side's second round match against the Swifts after colliding with teammate Grace Rasmussen, and missed last week's narrow loss to the defending champion Melbourne Vixens.

Fitzgerald said the injury is still causing Harten some discomfort, but she is hopeful her key shooter will be able to take at least some part in Sunday's game.

"There's a few things that we can try and we are hopeful that we'll be able to get her out there at least for a little bit but we don't know for sure," said Fitzgerald.

"We went and saw a doctor who gave us a few clues on things that may help her. We'll try those out at training and see if it helps her and if it doesn't she won't play."

The Magic coach said Harten will be given to the last moment to prove her fitness for the Tactix game.