Excitement building for new Albany Netball Association season as rolling substitutes introduced in top grades

The Albany Netball Association is gearing up for a fresh season as excitement builds ahead of Saturday’s opening round fixtures. Seven A1 teams will battle it out across 14 rounds and that will be followed by three weeks of finals, consisting of a qualifying and elimination final in the first week, then a preliminary final, culminating in the grand final on September 16. Bethel, who missed finals last season, won’t play in A1 this season, dropping to A2. Griffins 1 have rejoined the A1 competition in their place. In round one of the A1 division, Railways 1 clash with Magpies 1 in the opening game at 1pm before Narrikup 1 tackle Royals Saints 1 in a grand final replay at 2.30pm. Kangas 1 and Bullets 1 will contest the final game of the round at 4pm. Royals Saints completed a perfect season in thrilling circumstances in 2022, defeating Narrikup after a goal in the final 30 seconds of the grand final to remain undefeated for the entire season. The reigning premiers will chase back-to-back titles without star goal shooter Narelle Humphries following her move to Kangas 1 and centre court gun Taylah Orzel has moved to Perth for football commitments. There will be a total of 15 divisions in the ANA, with all games to be played on Saturdays. ANA president Trish Hines said a significant rule change would be implemented ahead of the season. “We are introducing a new concept this year which is rolling subs,” she said. “It means that coaches can switch players mid-game and the match doesn’t stop at all. “We’ve always made it so you can only change your players at quarter-time. “Start of the season we always have the the grand final rematch. “I think it will be very competitive. “Fifteen minutes is a long time to leave your team in the same structure but if you can see there’s an issue on the court, you can roll a player on and off and I think it will make for a really close competition. “The rule will only apply to A1 and A2 divisions.” Hines said participation remained an integral part of the ANA, with a strong list of players and members returning. “We’ve got 99 teams this year which is pretty much the same as last year and we have 1035 members,” she said. “It’s a big build-up with the grading and the demonstration match and preseason, a lot of people are involved with basketball that just roll over from one sport to the other but everyone is just really looking forward to the start of the season.” Albany Netball Association Round One Fixtures: Magpies 1 v Railways 1 - 1pm Narrikup 1 v Royals Saints 1 - 2.30pm Bullets 1 v Kangas 1 - 4pm Bye - Griffins 1