Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan has defended the decision to sell hosting rights for the Super Netball grand final annually, saying it will help the organisation turn around its dire financial position.
The ladder-leading Melbourne Vixens have been dudded after this year's Super Netball grand final was sold to the WA Government.
It's believed Netball Australia will receive about $300,000 in cash from the deal.
It means Perth's RAC Arena will hold this season's decider on July 3 in a move that has caused outrage among players and fans.
As part of the deal struck with the WA State Government, the Australian Diamonds will use WA as their base for their Commonwealth Games training camp in July.
Netball Australia announced on Thursday the grand final will be taken to a new location every season, rather than it being handed to the team that earned hosting rights.
The Vixens (10-2) currently sit on top of the ladder, with West Coast Fever (8-4) sitting second.
If they stay in that position at the end of the regular season, the Vixens will host the Fever in the major semi-final, with the winner progressing straight through to the grand final.
The deal struck between Super Netball and the WA Government means even if the Fever lose the major semi-final, they will get to host the grand final if they make it through the preliminary final.
Ryan laid out Netball Australia's dire financial position when defending the decision to rotate the grand final in future years.
"Today we released our financial results for 2021; a $4.4 million dollar loss," Ryan said.
"We have four million dollars in loans now owing to financial institutions."
Ryan said she felt for the Vixens, but it was a decision that had to be made.
"I have an enormous respect for that team. They're an incredible bunch of athletes and have an amazing coach," Ryan said.
"I do appreciate the sensitivities around this decision for them and we want to work with them so they understand the harsh realities about why these decisions have been made."
The Australian Netball Players' Association have called for a change of culture at Netball Australia in the wake of the decision.
"The players are devastated - both by the decision, and the way it has been handled," the ANPA said in a statement.
"Netball Australia tells us that we are the "game's most important asset" and a "priority" partner. And yet they treat us as the lowest priority.
"Either the behaviours must change, or the people must change."
Fans have also been quick to lash out at the Fever's advantage this year, less than 18 months after the club was found guilty of cheating the salary cap in 2018 and 2019.
"I think it's really unfair on the Fever that this continues to circulate," Ryan said.
"They've received their punishment, they've done what they needed to do and this is a new Fever."
For the first time in the league's history there will be prize money for the teams who make the grand final. The winner will be awarded $100,000 with the runner-up taking home $25,000.