Super Netball start could be with fans

Collingwood co-captain Geva Mentor believes Super Netball could benefit from starting its season later than the resumption of other codes, potentially avoiding playing behind closed doors as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The Super Netball season was due to start on Saturday, May 2 and end in August but it could now potentially finish as late as November.

A decision was made in late March to delay the start until at least June 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the situation to be reviewed in May.

England star Mentor, who was recruited by the Magpies after leading Sunshine Coast Lightning to successive championships, told the Nine Network that delaying the 2020 season start could work to the competition's benefit.

"Potentially looking at the later we start, maybe the end of July or August it means we could have crowds," she said.

Mentor said discussions with the Super Netball playing group are conducted weekly to discuss the way forward this year.

"There's still three options on the table," she said.

"A full season could go ahead, we could be moved into hubs or the season could not go ahead.

"Unfortunately it's still up in the air but as the other big codes start towards start dates that looks a lot healthier for us."

Mentor said Super Netball was on the front foot in terms of its finances and players acted quickly to do what they could to help the sport, agreeing to take a 70 per cent pay cut.

However, the Australian government's $1500 a fortnight JobKeeper scheme has eased that economic burden with Mentor explaining that some lower-paid players on rookie contracts have even received a pay hike.

"Now with JobKeeper coming in it's meant that no player will get more than a 50 per cent pay cut," she said.

"Some players will actually end up better off (due to JobKeeper payments)."

Mentor's England teammate Layla Guscoth is one of the Super Netball imports who left Australia to return home amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds defender is a qualified doctor and has joined the frontline workers in England.

"She's working at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham, which is one of the busiest in Europe and working day and night shifts," Mentor said of her national teammate.

"Hopefully when we know when our season is going to get the season started we will be able to get her back in the country."