Netball
AAP 4y

Jo Harten backs extra time in Super Netball

Netball, Super Netball

Giants captain Jo Harten says Super Netball's new extra-time rule will make fans more engaged with the sport because draws aren't fun for anyone.

The Super Netball Commission has announced the introduction of extra time and rolling substitutions for the 2020 season, and Harten says she will accept changes as long as netball stays true to its core values.

In a post-season survey, an enormous 80 per cent of fans were in favour of introducing extra time, after an unprecedented six matches were drawn throughout the 2019 season.

Harten thinks extra time will make matches more exciting for spectators.

"Draws aren't fun for anyone," she told AAP.

"It's nice to see games closed out.

"The (extra time) rule can only be a positive if fans are more engaged."

Under the new rules, drawn matches will go to five minutes of extra time after a 90-second break if the two teams are tied at the end of regulation match time.

Teams will not swap ends, the centre pass will follow on and teams will play without break for five minutes. If at the end of the five-minute period the teams are tied, the match will be declared a draw.

The new rolling substitutions rule means that teams can also now make substitutions during play, as well as during stoppages and intervals.

There is no limit to the number of substitutions that can be made and multiple substitutions can be made at any time.

Harten says she is unsure how the rule will play out.

"I'm not sure about the rolling substitutions. It might give opposition players something to think about.

"It could make the game more free flowing and give it more continuity."

The rules aren't the only thing that will be different for Harten and the giants in 2020.

Harten has been announced as the club's new captain following the retirement of Kimberlee Green, becoming just the second club captain in the Giants' history.

"It feels good, it feels pretty normal at the moment.

"It is business as usual."

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