The Melbourne Vixens also said in a separate statement that they were “disappointed” to have missed the chance to play a grand final at home following the announcement of Netball Australia.
The Vixens had been in the saddle to do so this season, as they are at the top of the Super Netball ladder with 10 wins, two more than their closest rivals with two rounds remaining.
A grand default final from across Australia will now be announced ahead of the upcoming Super Netball seasons, with the new format including $ 100,000 in prizes for first place and $ 25,000 for second place.
In a statement, the Vixens and Netball Victoria said that “many members of the Victorian netball community will be disappointed to miss the potential opportunity to host the grand final this year.”
Melbourne Vixens high-performance coach Rebekah Webster said the team would continue to prepare for a finals campaign despite losing the opportunity to decide at home if they could get to the game.
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“While we are disappointed with this decision, we are focused on winning the remaining games at home and away and winning a place in the grand final, no matter where it is played,” Webster said.
The big final play will also change the decisive date, postponing it one day until Sunday 3 July. The league said this was to “maximize attendance at the stands and the audience at home.”
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