Netball: Double round would be fairer, Broughton says

Robyn Broughton
Robyn Broughton
Southern Steel coach Robyn Broughton has joined the chorus calling for a double round to be introduced to the ANZ Championship in the interest of fairness.

The draw for the inaugural competition pits the five Australian franchises against each other twice, with the New Zealand teams playing each other twice, while New Zealand and Australian teams play each other once.

With the Australian teams dominating their trantasman opponents, the dissenting voices have been getting louder.

West Coast Fever coach Sue Gaudion has said the draw disadvantages the Australian sides.

Broughton shares her reservations.

"When I first saw it [the draw] I thought, well, that is to make sure that you get a New Zealand and an Australian team in the final," Broughton said.

"My feeling is that I would rather we played twice against everybody. I think it is a pity we don't have another go against the Australians just to see where we are and if we've improved or haven't."

The way the competition is structured it is unlikely the four best teams will reach the play-offs.

"They [the Australian teams] are really playing off against each other. You can understand how they are feeling and I would feel a bit the same, I think. It would be a better system if we all played each other twice instead of having a single round."

One of the obstacles to overcome would be the expense of a double round.

But Broughton said doubleheaders would be a way of reducing the cost.

"You could play a doubleheader. The basketballers do it all the time and I don't see why we couldn't."

Of course, a double round would lengthen the competition and whether the sport could sustain the public's interest remained to be seen, Broughton said.

But she was adamant a review would be needed at the end of the year.

"We need to look at it [the draw] and have a discussion about it. I'd like to hear some feedback and talk to the other coaches. I get the feeling they think a double round is better".

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