AFL club Collingwood and the NRL’s Melbourne Storm have lodged expressions of interest in fielding teams in the new-look netball competition set to replace the trans-Tasman league. Former Test coach Norma Plummer said that dumping New Zealand teams would be the best thing for Australian netball. Related: The Guardian's guide to playing netball – part two: goal shooterCollingwood have been in discussions with Netball Australia, while the Storm have confirmed a bid for a team to be based in Queensland. The current trans-Tasman competition has been a 5-5 split between Australian and New Zealand teams since its inception in 2008, but the Australian teams have dominated heavily and won seven of the eight titles. The competition is likely to have eight Australian teams with the five current ANZ Championship sides – Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, NSW Swifts, Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever – to be joined by three others.

Source: The Guardian May 11, 2016 00:18 UTC