Super Netball 2019: Fixture, tickets, team lists, and how to watch

Sold out attendance. Record-breaking viewing. Even greater pay. If the first two editions of Super Netball are anything to go by, then 2019 is set to raise the bar even higher.

And it all starts with a bang.

The first round will feature a NSW derby in Sydney with the Swifts taking on the Giants at Qudos Bank Arena. 

Reigning champions Sunshine Coast Lightning will take on West Coast Fever in a grand final rematch during the second round on May, 5 at Perth Arena.

Over one million people tuned into Channel 9 to watch the Lightning beat Fever 62-59 to win back-to-back premiership titles. The second round match will be broadcast live on 9Gem.

Queensland will then take on the premiers in the third round, right in the heart of the state's capital.

MORE: Liz Watson claims prestigious Liz Ellis Diamond at 2018 Australian Netball Awards | Netballer Jessica Anstiss juggles being a professional sportswomen with a semi-professional salary

Indigenous round is scheduled for the eighth week, which will celebrate Australia’s Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Netball Australia have split the 2019 season in half to account for the Netball World Cup in July. 

Taking place in Liverpool, England, from July 12-26, the dates of the World Cup overlap with the usual Super Netball schedule. Players and officials will take a four week break so that they are able to attend both competitions.

Sporting News Australia has all you need to know about the third edition of Super Netball.

We're heading west in May for the grand final rematch against @WestCoastFever! Can't wait for the full @SuperNetball #fixture to drop on Wednesday! #bringiton #SuncorpSuperNetball 👊⚡🏐
READ MORE | https://t.co/lquqGYW940 pic.twitter.com/Ah1iTmQc3Y

— Sunshine Coast Lightning (@sc_lightning) November 30, 2018

HOW WATCH SUPER NETBALL IN 2019

Two matches per round will be broadcast live on Channel Nine with two matches shown exclusively on Telstra TV. All four matches are available on the Netball Live app, both live and on demand each week.

Super Netball with the average home-and-away match viewership on Channel Nine channels rose 25.9% on 2017, and 23% on Telstra’s streaming services.

“We saw more than 35 million minutes of the 2018 season viewed live and on demand across Telstra and 9Now platforms including the Netball live app," Netball Australia's Event Manager Chris Symington said.

"More than one million viewers tuned into the Grand Final on Nine, so we’re incredibly excited to see what the fierce 2019 season will bring with the support of our broadcast and league partners.”

SUPER NETBALL TICKETS

Tickets for Super Netball 2019 are now on sale via Ticketek and Ticketmaster (Adelaide Thunderbirds).

For Sunshine Coast Lightning fans, tickets will go on sale in three separate blocks for home matches at USC Stadium. Head to the club's website for more information.

Adelaide Thunderbirds: Secure your seats via Ticketmaster

Collingwood Magpies: Secure your seats via Ticketek

Giants Netball: Secure your seats via Ticketek

Melbourne Vixens: Secure your seats via Ticketek

NSW Swifts: Secure your seats via Ticketek

Queensland Firebirds: Secure your seats via Ticketek

West Coast Fever: Secure your seats via Ticketek

Tickets for the 2019 Suncorp Super Netball season are on sale now!

This year promises stronger contests, fiercer competitions, tougher teams, bigger wins… and more heartbreaking losses.

Don't miss a moment of the action - Secure your tickets now.https://t.co/VJfHRm6QHO pic.twitter.com/z4LIiT9FC8

— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) March 13, 2019

FIXTURES

All eight Super Netball clubs will play each other once at home, and once away in the 14 round competition. And you better keep your Saturday nights free as 12 matches have been scheduled for the mid-weekend timeslot.

NSW Swifts will take on fellow New South Wales' team Giants Netball at Sydney Olympic Park to kick off the season.

Round 2 will feature a grand final rematch between reigning champions Sunshine Coast Lightning and West Coast Fever at Perth Arena.

The Firebirds will then take on the premiers during the Round 3, in an all Queensland derby.

Super Netball will also be played for the first time on the Victorian Queen’s Birthday long weekend in Melbourne. Vixens will take on Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Park in the Round 7 to conclude the first half of the season.

The competition is also set to take on regional Australia when Collingwood Magpies hosting the West Coast Fever in Bendigo in Round 5. The Magpies will also play the Swifts at Launceston's Silverdome in Round 13.

For the first time in Super Netball history, the game will head to the Northern Territory when the Thunderbirds will take on the Lightning in Round 7. The match is scheduled to be played at the new multi-million door indoor netball facility, 'Territory Stadium' on Saturday, June 8.

Big news for @AdelaideTBirds @sc_lightning and Northern Territory netball fans - The Suncorp Super Netball is coming to Darwin in June.
Find out more here - https://t.co/cGvbhsiACm pic.twitter.com/Q0FO9nQdo0

— SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) February 26, 2019

With an abundance of players signing new contracts over the off-season, there’ll be plenty of key match-ups to look forward to in the first seven rounds.

After taking out two Super Netball premierships with the Sunshine Coast, Geva Mentor will wear her Collingwood outfit for their first time when the Magpies take on the Lightning.

Round 5 will see Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett playing at USC as a visitor, when the Giants head north to face the Sunshine Coast. Collingwood Magpie Nat Medhurst will be out for blood against her old side the West Coast Fever, after the club refused to renew her contract for 2019. The Magpies will host the West Coast in regional Victoria at Bendigo Stadium.

The all-Victorian derby in the Round 7 will feature Melbourne’s Caitlin Thwaites taking on the Magpies for the first time in Super Netball.

ROUND 1 FIXTURE

Round 1 of the 2019 #SuncorpSuperNetball season will feature an explosive Sydney derby between the Swifts and Giants. 🔥 ull fixture: https://t.co/dIkfAQ5OsI pic.twitter.com/jM2KqbhmmN

— 9Netball (@9Netball) December 4, 2018

ROUND 2 FIXTURE

ROUND 3 FIXTURE

ROUND 4 FIXTURE

ROUND 5 FIXTURE

ROUND 6 FIXTURE

ROUND 7 FIXTURE

ROUND 8 FIXTURE

ROUND 9 FIXTURE

ROUND 10 FIXTURE

ROUND 11 FIXTURE

ROUND 12 FIXTURE

ROUND 13 FIXTURE

ROUND 14 FIXTURE

FINALS FIXTURE

2019 TEAM LISTS

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS

After completing the 2018 Super Netball season without a single victory, the Adelaide Thunderbirds were banking on an experienced recruit for 2019. And their wish was granted.

New Zealand star shooter Maria Folau is set to join the Thunderbirds for the third edition of Super Netball. Bringing much needed experience, talent and sharp shooting, the youthful side will go from strength-to-strength under her wings. 

Yet only four of last season's side will done the Adelaide outfit in 2019, with six new recruits shaking up the ranks. Could 2019 be the year of the rejuvenated Thunderbirds?

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

Despite a highly experienced lineup in 2018, the Collingwood Magpies endured a disappointing season coming in seventh on the Super Netball leaderboard.

Losing netball legends Caitlin Thwaites, Sharni Layton, Erin Bell and Shae Brown, the Magpies copped heavy losses in the off-season.

But have no fear Collingwood fans! Experienced international players Nat Medhurst, Geva Mentor and Kelsey Browne are set to join the ranks.

Madi Robinson will lead the Magpies for a third consecutive season, but she will share the captaincy with former Sunshine Coast Lightning skipper Geva Mentor.

Mid-courter Kelsey Browne meanwhile, has been named as their vice-captain.

Collingwood’s General Manager of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson said that the co-captaincy was in the best interests of the club, acknowledging the impact of the World Cup in July.

“The club felt that for this year, due to having two world-class candidates with differing leadership specialisations, a model of co-captains was the best fit for our team,” Woodlands-Thompson told the club's website.

“Madi Robinson has been part of the Magpies Netball journey since its inception and is extremely connected to our Collingwood values and expectations.

“The club has great confidence in Madi, Geva and Kelsey to place the pies in a position of success for the 2019 season.”

GIANTS NETBALL

Giants Netball may have taken out the minor premiership in 2018, but with their new and improved squad they will look to go one better and reach the 2019 grand final.

That's right. Australian captain Caitlin Bassett is swapping the yellow and purple outfit for orange this year.

Joining with Amy Parmenter and Matilda McDonell, the Giants are sure to be a force to be reckoned with.

MELBOURNE VIXENS

Narrowly missing out on the 2018 finals series, the Melbourne Vixens will be fighting to make every quarter count. And they found just the right recruit to achieve that goal.

Australian shooter Caitlin Thwaites is set to return home to the Vixens, crossing over from neighbourhood rivals the Collingwood Magpies.

Midcourter Kate Maloney will lead the Vixens for her third year in a row, with Liz Watson and Tegan Phillips co-vice captains.

“Having Kate, Lizzy and Tegan as our leaders for the last two seasons has really developed a culture and set of values that we are not only proud of but are able to live by across the board from players to staff, on and off the court,” coach Simone McKinnis said.

“We have a great group of players who are all leaders in their own way, so I’m really excited to see where this year takes us.”

Squad member Lara Dunkley will replace Tayla Honey in the Vixens' ten, after the centre ruptured her achilles in February.

“I’m shattered for Tayla and obviously I’d love for this to have been under nicer circumstances, but to be given this opportunity, I’m definitely honoured,” said Dunkley.

“Being my second year as a training partner and being a part of this elite environment has really guided me in what’s expected not just on the court.

NSW SWIFTS

Despite coming in at sixth on the Super Netball ladder, the Swifts have the ability to break into the top four. Defeating the Firebirds and the Giants - who came in as minor premiers - the NSW side have the talent but need to work on their consistency.

The Swifts have a relatively unchanged squad heading into 2019, with only youngster Lauren Moore rising up into their ranks.

Mid-courter Maddy Proud has been named as the Swifts captain, while Paige Hadley will take on the role as her vice.

“There aren’t many bigger honours in netball than getting to captain this famous club and I am truly humbled,” Proud told the club's website.

“A captain is only as good as the players around them and I feel we are very lucky with our current group.

“We have a strong connection with each other, the team behind us and our fans across the state, and we are in a good place ahead of the 2019 season."

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS

Although the Firebirds lose retiring legend Laura Geitz, their squad otherwise remains unchanged for Super Netball 2019.

19-year-old Tippah Dwan, who represented Queensland Fusion in the ANL, is set to replace the veteran. 

Gabi Simpson will lead the Firebirds for her third consecutive year, while Caitlyn Nevins, Romelda Aiken and Mahalia Cassidy complete the leadership group.

“Each year I’ve learnt something new about myself but more importantly about the team," Simpson said.

“My core values are about care and love. I’ve been able to really adopt that into the way that I lead. It feels a lot more natural than it ever has."

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING

After taking out two consecutive Super Netball titles, the reigning premiers will have to work even harder to make the finals in 2019.

With Caitlin Bassett, Geva Mentor, Kelsey Browne and Erena Mikaere all moving on from the Sunshine Coast, New Zealand centre Laura Langman is set to make her Super Netball return.

International stars Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni are also heading Down Under to make their Super Netball debuts.

Crossing from the West Coast to the East, goal keeper Annika Lee-Jones will also add some much needed height to the goal circle.

WEST COAST FEVER

With Nat Medhurst and Annika Lee-Jones moving on, the West Coast Fever are building their ranks with future Super Netball stars.

Young guns Olivia Lewis and Alice Teague-Neeld have signed with the Fever on multi-year deals.

After enjoying their most successful year to date, the Fever are set to contest for their first premiership in 2019.

PRESEASON: TEAM GIRLS CUP

Magpies Netball defeated the Melbourne Vixens 39-33 to claim the inaugural #TeamGirls Cup on Sunday, March 10.

The tournament, which took place at the new Queensland State Netball Centre, was the first ever preseason event held leading into a domestic netball league.

The eight Super Netball teams were split into two pools of four; with the Lightning, Firebirds, Vixens and Thunder in one, and the Fever, Giants, Swifts and Magpies in the other.

Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies dominated their respective pools to earn their places in the tournament’s grand final.

Reigning Super Netball premiers Sunshine Coast Lightning finished third overall, defeating Giants Netball 46-44 in the bronze medal decider.

As if you needed another excuse to go to Brisbane for a weekend in March, we just announced the Suncorp #TeamGirls Cup!
Pre-sale tickets will go on sale this Friday at 10.30am AEDST to all subscribers. Subscribe now - https://t.co/MXiGPsNoXH pic.twitter.com/KxsVI5Y4zC

— SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) January 29, 2019

RULE CHANGES

Super Netball clubs will now be able to approach free agents during the 2019 season, as part of a major overhaul of rules by the governing body.

A new 'run-off zone' will be trialled during #TeamGirls Cup pre-season tournament, a designated area courtside where coaches and players be more active and interact.

The competition ladder has also received another modification, a year after the league introduced the bonus point system.

Now, if two teams end the regular season on the same number of points, their final position will be determined by the number of wins and not percentage. If their number of points and wins are the same, then goal percentages will determine their rank on the ladder.