Opinion by Paddy Regester
It’s official, after appearing in Fast5 tournaments and the Bushfire Relief match earlier this year, the two-goal Super Shot is coming to Suncorp Super Netball in 2020.
So, let’s talk about what it means for the sport and some of the reasons why the decision to bring the rule in was made.
When the Suncorp Super Netball All-stars took on the Origin Australian Diamonds in the Bushfire Relief match, one of the biggest talking points of the game was the inclusion of the Suncorp Super Shot.
Whether you loved it or not, there was no denying the level of excitement it added to the attacking end. In-stadium, you could feel the crowd hold its collective breath when a shooter received the ball and took aim in the two-goal zone.
And when a long shot landed, well the crowd reaction was incredible.
But was this the true representation of what a two-goal shot might look like week in, week out? Maybe not.
After all, there was an extra incentive to making the shot during the Bushfire Relief match, with a donation from Suncorp being made for each successful Super shot, and there were no premiership points on the line.
Choosing to take a high-risk shot on goal for two and missing probably won’t be met with laughs and cheers of “better luck next time” when you’re down by one with a minute to go and your shooting partner was wide open under the post.
That’s where the most exciting part of the new rule lies. The risk and reward.
And not just for the shooters but for the defenders too.
The risk/reward for the shooters is obvious, but defenders are going to be forced to make some tough decisions too.
For example, when playing the West Coast Fever, teams often double-team Jhaniele Fowler and run the risk of being beaten from deep. And that makes so much sense when a goal from the edge of the circle means as much as a goal from right underneath the post.
How will a defence respond when they’ve watched a couple of shots go in from two-goal territory in the final minutes of the first quarter, costing them a precious bonus point and the lead?
Being a defender in the Suncorp Super Netball league could be pretty rough from now on.
Luckily, we’re talking about the best defenders on the planet. They will evolve, and evolution is exciting.
Get ready to hear that word, evolve, a lot as we move into a world with a Super Shot rule because that’s what this is all about. Evolving the game of netball to attract more fans and participants.
The question is, does netball need to evolve?
Last year we saw two teams score 80 goals in a single match. Is that not enough scoring? The 56 regular season games saw an average of 115.1 goals per game and just four matches had less than 100. That’s a lot of goals.
Without consulting the vast number of stats at our disposal, most would say that the game of netball has never been played as fast, skilfully or as exciting as it is today.
So, is this a way to jack the scoring up or is this simply a way to evolve HOW goals are scored?
Super Netball CEO Chris Symington revealed that the rule has been brought in to incentivise more long-range shooting, after analysis revealed that 90% of goals in the first three seasons of the league were scored from close range.
Love it or hate it, it’s hard to deny that adding another wrinkle to the ultimate goal of netball, putting the ball through the hoop, will make for even more excitement. Whether we see 100 Super Shots made in 2020 or five, just having the option there should get viewers hearts racing.
The rule will see player skill sets evolve too. We could start seeing five-minute specialists, who’s long distance shooting and ability to create space will be invaluable when the chaos of the super shot comes into play.
And what about a smaller defender who has the ability to shutdown the perimeter of the shooting circle and stick with those crafty long-distance snipers?
I also don’t see this as the death of the holding shooter, who makes a living a metre from the net. Players like Caitlin Bassett and Jhaniele Fowler will have never seen the kind of space they might see once the ball is in the hands of a sharpshooter and the defenders have rushed out to cover her.
If the Super Shot is the next step in the evolution for the sport, it’s up to the players and coaches of the Super Netball league use it to their advantage.
