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'Not good enough': Netball world slams Channel 9 'double standards'

Helen Housby, pictured here in action for the NSW Swifts.
Helen Housby hit out after Daniel Andrews' press conference. Image: Getty

The netball community was left fuming on Sunday when Channel Nine cut away from the NSW Swifts’ clash with GWS Giants to show Daniel Andrews’ virus press conference.

During the fourth-quarter of the Super Netball clash on Sunday, Nine switched coverage to the Victorian Premier’s emergency update in which he announced Stage 4 lockdown restrictions for the state.

It meant netball fans were robbed of watching the nail-biting final moments of the Swifts’ win over the Giants.

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However it wasn’t the fact that Nine cut away from the netball that left everyone up in arms, but rather that they didn’t switch back when the press conference was over - despite the game still being underway.

Instead they decided to show the pre-game coverage for the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights clash in the NRL.

Channel Nine uploaded the full-match replay to their digital platform later on Sunday, but netball players and fans were still fuming.

Helen Housby calls out ‘double standards’

Swifts shooter Helen Housby was among those to voice her criticism, suggesting Nine showed “double standards” in choosing the NRL.

“COVID is very important and obviously a government message is very important, but I thought the timing of it was a little bit questionable, especially when they went to an NRL pre-game show,” Housby told the The Daily Telegraph.

“I maybe think that there might be double standards for how potentially female athletes get treated and portrayed in the media … the things that are made possible for the other codes probably aren’t the same for netball.

“It is very important to get the information out to people, but it just seemed like the timing could have been a little bit better. They didn’t actually say the reasoning, they didn’t then show a repeat or show it delayed or anything like that.

“It’s more about the fans and trying to give them back something, where potentially they could have placed the announcement in a different place or just do it a little bit differently, it was more about the fans missing out.”

Housby also took a swipe at Nine on social media, and she wasn’t alone.

Swifts win classic clash with Giants

The NSW Swifts made a flying start to their Super Netball title defence after holding on for a thrilling come-from-behind 63-61 win over the Giants.

The defending champions recovered from a five-goal deficit at halftime to lead by eight with four minutes to play, before withstanding a late Giants run to win a historic NSW derby at Brisbane's Nissan Arena.

Both Sydney clubs were originally scheduled to open the pandemic-delayed 2020 season with a series of home games at the newly renovated Ken Rosewall Arena.

But new border restrictions forced the Swifts and Giants to relocate north just days before the opening round.

Helen Housby, pictured here during the NSW Swifts' clash with GWS Giants.
Helen Housby in action for the NSW Swifts against GWS Giants. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

The Giants led 33-28 at halftime courtesy of captain Jo Harten's long-range accuracy, the England international proving the difference in a tight opening half by nailing 7-of-9 two-point super shots.

But the Swifts surged to the lead with Sam Wallace inspiring a 21-13 third-quarter charge, the Trinidad and Tobago goaler closing the term with a pair of team-lifting super shots.

NSW appeared on track for a comfortable victory when Sophie Garbin combined with Helen Housby to extend their lead heading into the Power Five period.

Fittingly, late drama also played out on the court as 18-year-old Sophie Dwyer landed two super shots for the Giants on her debut to set up a nail-biting finish.

But a Swifts timeout allowed coach Briony Akle to steady her squad as they held their nerve in the closing moments to maintain possession and close out the win.

with AAP