A retrospective diary of ANZ Premiership's Super Sunday

Representatives from the six franchises put on a brave face at the ANZ Premiership launch last week.
Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

Representatives from the six franchises put on a brave face at the ANZ Premiership launch last week.

There couldn't be a more awkward time for netball's ANZ Premiership to be kicking off.

The new season comes about as Netball NZ prepares to announce details of a wide-ranging review into the national programme following the Silver Ferns failure to make the podium at the Commonwealth Games last month.

The spectre of the Ferns' unprecedented capitulation on the Gold Coast has loomed over the start of the domestic competition. Any preseason hype was drowned out by the sound of hand-wringing about the state of New Zealand netball.

It was hoped then the opening "Super Sunday" round, which features three games back-to-back at the same venue, might help shift the narrative.

 

 

There's always plenty of intrigue at the beginning of any season. It's when the enduring storylines begin to emerge and the big questions are answered like: Which team has been thrashing their players the most in the off-season? Who is poised to make an impact? Which exciting young talent should we have our eyes on? Who has got new tattoos in the off-season?

I tuned in to find out. Here is a retrospective diary of my thoughts.