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Queenslanders have Super Netball edge

3 minute read

With the entire Super Netball season likely to be played in Queensland, the two teams based there will have an advantage according to Giants captain Jo Harten.

JOANNE HARTEN of England during the International Test match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the England Roses at Pettigrew Green Arena in Napier, New Zealand.
JOANNE HARTEN of England during the International Test match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the England Roses at Pettigrew Green Arena in Napier, New Zealand. Picture: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

Giants skipper Jo Harten says Queensland teams will have an advantage in this year's Super Netball season, which gets underway in Brisbane on Saturday.

The climbing rates of coronavirus in Victoria and NSW forced organisers to relocate the competition to Queensland for the foreseeable future, giving the Firebirds and two-time champions Sunshine Coast Lightning a home court edge.

The teams square off in the season opener at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Saturday at 1pm, followed on court by Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever.

"I think the Queensland teams have probably an advantage there, obviously staying at home," Harten told AAP.

"I think it's going to take a certain level of adaptability from the teams."

As an England international, Harten said she was used to travelling for her sport but thought it could be a challenge for other players used to familiar surroundings and routine.

Adding more intrigue to the season is the controversial introduction of the Super Shot, with two-point shots on offer from a designated zone at the back of the goal circle in the final five minutes of each quarter.

Harten said that her team had talked about the hurdles they could face being away from home for the entire season.

"I'm used to it now and I know it's a job for me and whatever the circumstance whatever environment you're in you have to make the most of it," the veteran goal-attack said.

"We've had a few chats in the Giants team about what we need to help us perform at our best so we will go through those processes and try and make sure everyone is comfortable as they can be being away from home and hopefully just put our head down and play some really good netball."

The Giants' round one match is against the reigning champion NSW Swifts, to be played in Brisbane on Sunday at 1pm, before Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood take to the court later that day while still completing their compulsory two-weeks quarantine after relocating from Victoria.

Swifts captain Maddy Proud said her team felt like they were in uncharted waters, moving north while also dealing with a title defence.

But she felt they were well-prepared for such challenges.

"I think last year nobody expected us to play finals let alone win the grand final," Proud told AAP.

"We've always played in that sort of underdog position.

"It's kind of uncharted territory for us to be hunted and to have the target on our back which comes with being the reigning premiers but I think we're just going to take that in our stride."

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