FIVE Our netballers are playing under a vastly different competition points structure compared to the traditional two points for a win and one for a draw way of things which most major sports leagues in Australia have adopted and stuck to over the years. In 2018, every quarter is a match within a match, with teams receiving one competition point for every quarter they win. Teams now have the potential to receive eight comp points for a win. This is making things interesting towards quarter, half and three quarter time ... It should also make it easier to separate the teams towards the end of the home and away on such a hotly contested competition table.

Coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell addresses the Magpies at quarter-time. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

SIX There are plenty more changes in operation throughout this year’s 14-round preliminary season. Another major alteration relates to time-outs. Each team is now entitled to request up to two time-out breaks per half. This is a further development on a rule introduced last year, which allowed one time out per half. Another interesting change is the allowance of one nominated player/team staff in each squad to walk up and down the specified bench zone while communicating with their on-court team-mates.

The Magpies' Sharni Layton (far right) gets defensive. (Photo by Getty Images)

SEVEN Nine’s Wide World of Sports is broadcasting two games of Super Netball Season 2 live per round in HD. In WA and SA, at least two games per week are being broadcast on the Nine Network, including a number of local matches broadcast on 9Gem and Nine local (check guides). Subscribers can also stream all games live via the Netball Live app. The app offers behind-the-scenes content, match highlights and other exclusive stuff. Also, all games are available to watch on demand.

(Photo by Getty images)