Teams to still get physical after call

SUPER Netball’s physicality cannot and will not be affected by the controversial send-off of Giants defender Kristiana Manu’a last week, according to the coaches.

Manu’a became the first player in Super Netball history to be sent off after two incidents of rough play in the clash against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Umpires followed correct procedure in banishing Manu’a from the court. But many questioned whether the “rough play” tag for incidents in which the defender had eyes only for the ball would affect the intensity of challenges going forward.

Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, whose players bounced back from the midweek controversy to challenge the competition-leading Vixens before losing on Sunday, said the Manu’a decision would not affect the way her side approached games.

“I honestly don’t think it will,” Fitzgerald said after her team’s loss to the competitionleading Vixens on Sunday.

“There’s a lot on the line in every game we play and there was nothing out there (on Sunday) I would deem as irresponsible or rough or dirty. It was just two teams really putting their bodies on the line and going for the ball. I hope that will continue.”

The umpires were given the all-clear after a review of the send-off and Manu’a said on Sunday she had felt nothing but support since the incidents.

“Everyone has really backed me,” she told Channel 9. “I’m happy to just sweep it under the rug and keep playing and hopefully winning some games.”

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis also said teams would continue to “get on with it” despite the spotlight on the physicality.

“We’ve got a good, strong, tough game, brilliant athletes going 100 per cent out there and it’s good to see,” she said.

Sunshine Coast mentor Kylee Byrne said it was important to continue to keep communication lines open to officials, who were also in a tough situation in a compressed season.