Rule changes implemented by World Netball were the main talking point after round one of the ANZ Premiership, which saw four players sent off the court for dangerous play.
Across three games in the weekend, the competition's umpires handed out two minute suspensions for dangerous play to four players.
Australia’s domestic netball competition has had no suspensions in its first week of the new rule changes which poses the question whether ANZ Premiership umpires are applying the dangerous play laws in the right manner.
Kiwi umpire Gareth Fowler believes the rule changes for dangerous play are good for the game and show progress in maintaining player safety.
“I think it is good for the game because at the end of the day, player safety is paramount...it's really important that we, as umpires, keep players safe and that players take responsibility," Fowler told Breakfast this morning.
When asked about why the ANZ Premiership had seen more suspensions compared to other leagues around the world, Fowler responded that it was hard to compare the New Zealand league to overseas competitions.
"The way that netball is played around the world is quite different based on the style of play and what that creates is different interpretations for umpires to see how the contest plays out."
Two players had to leave the court in the first match of the competition as Magic goal defender Oceane Maihi made strong contact on Mystics shooter Grace Nweke.
A reckless challenge on Ali Wilshire by Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson led to her leaving the court in the final quarter.
Fowler explained that there were many factors that umpires had to take into account when deciding whether or not dangerous play had taken place.
"There's a number of facets to dangerous play and the rule has been updated to be more specific with head and neck contact. The other things to take into account where people are taken out in the air, or as we saw in the weekend, players were reckless with their challenge and smash players to the court," said Fowler.
Fowler also thinks that the two minutes is a suitable amount of time off the court when compared to suspensions in other sports.
The Mystics produced a strong performance over the Magic in round one, coming home 64-52 winners. The Stars tried to stage a comeback against the Pulse, but fell just short going down 58-51 and the Tactix comfortably beat the Steel 52-35 on Monday night.
The ANZ Premiership can be watched free to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ every Saturday at 4pm.
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