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'Do better': Aussie netball furore over Indigenous star's 'snub'

Jemma Mi Mi, pictured here on the bench for the Queensland Firebirds.
Jemma Mi Mi was left on the bench as the Firebirds beat the Vixens. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Sue Gaudion has questioned why Super Netball’s only Indigenous player was left on the bench for the entirety of her match in the league’s Indigenous round.

Jemma Mi Mi didn’t see a single second of action as the Queensland Firebirds beat the Melbourne Vixens 64-58 on Sunday.

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As the match was winding down and the Firebirds had victory assured, coach Roselee Jencke appeared to try to get Mi Mi on at wing attack for Lara Dunkley.

However without a stoppage to allow a substitution, Mi Mi was left awkwardly pacing the sideline.

In commentary for Channel Nine, Gaudion suggested Dunkley should have just walked off.

“Lara Dunkley looking across to Jemma Mi Mi,” Gaudion said.

“I know she’s only a youngster, but if it was me I’d walk off the court and let Mi Mi come on. Not to be.”

Fellow Aussie legend Liz Ellis agreed with the comments.

“I guess we still haven’t got this fully right,” Gaudion wrote on Twitter after the match.

“Look it would be great to see her on the court and sadly even at the end the opportunity was missed.

“But at the same time the Firebirds had plenty to play for and that win will be attributed as much to Mi Mi even with her not on the court.”

Gaudion also moved to clarify her comments about Dunkley, insisting she wasn’t blaming her.

“I don’t believe we shifted blame onto her at all and you are not helping the narrative by saying that!!!” Gaudion responded to criticism from a Twitter user.

“I think if you listen again I mention that Dunkley is a young player alluding to her possible inexperience or lack of awareness in that moment!!!!

“I think all athletes and all coaches should have enough awareness and education to understand that moment, or to be honest at an earlier opportunity.”

Jemma Mi Mi, pictured here in action for the Queensland Firebirds.
Jemma Mi Mi in action for the Firebirds against the Giants earlier this year. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Netball fans fume over Jemma Mi Mi ‘snub’

Beryl Friday, another Indigenous netballer who plays in England, also expressed her disappointment for Mi Mi.

“When players are benched, it’s often for reasons we can’t see ie injury, player match ups etc,” she tweeted.

“But being the only FNs player in the comp can be draining. There is a lot of pressure and expectation. Right now, I just hope Jem is OK.

“To be very clear, I am deeply disappointed Jemma didn’t play today.”

Sports broadcaster Brad Cooke also expressed his anger, calling on the Firebirds to “do better”.

“I hope Roselee Jencke truly regrets her decision to not play Jemma Mi Mi, the only Indigenous Super Netball player in the league, during Indigenous round,” he tweeted.

“I'm filthy.”

Fans were also fuming on social media.

Mi Mi has played 383 minutes this year but has seen more time on the bench recently, with Jencke preferring Dunkley at wing attack.