Only Caitlin Bassett could spend the Super Netball season on an exercise bike and still be named in the Australian Diamonds' squad.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But thank the Lord sanity prevailed, because Stacey Marinkovic is going to need one of the most valuable short-range shooters in the world under international rules.
Bassett, 32, was unveiled as one of six shooters in the 2020-21 Diamonds squad on Friday morning, despite having received little to no court time this season.
The sight of the Australian captain pedaling away on the sideline has become a norm following the introduction of the two-point 'super shot' to the top-tier league.
She's been benched in three of her past four matches, with Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald opting to start England's Jo Harten and Keira Austin in the circle.
So riddle me this. She's good enough for the Diamonds but not good enough for the Giants - who failed to make the Super Netball finals for the second straight season.
Her role as a holding shooter, one of the world's best might I add, has almost been made redundant under the league's new rules.
Unlike international shooters Jhaniele Fowler and Romelda Aiken, Bassett has not been given an opportunity to evolve her game nor given sufficient court-time outside the Super Shot period.
There could be other factors in play but Fitzgerald has given little reason to why, other than her preference for a moving circle.
Bassett is said to be considering a switch to New Zealand's ANZ Championship or a trade to another Super Netball club, despite having a year left on her Giants contact.
Should she move to New Zealand, it could prompt similar-styled shooters to turn their back on the world's best netball league to play under traditional rules.
So what's more important - the development of future Diamonds or a gimmick that aims to increase the sport's entertainment value? Is it worth sacrificing Bassett, the Australian captain, for it?
When the Super Netball Commission introduced the fundamental rule change in June, there was no Diamonds coach to consult with.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Would it have played out differently? Probably not, but surely there would have been better communication between the Diamonds and Super Netball about how it would affect the national agenda.
A review of all new rule changes is underway for 2021, with players, coaches, umpires and administrators surveyed as part of the league's analysis.
But if there's a positive to be taken away from the Super Shot, it's forced Australian shooters to vary their game and take a gamble with long-range shots.
The heartache of losing the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Cup finals by one goal is still raw, but perhaps the shake-up Australian netball needed.
England and New Zealand both have moving circles and shooting combinations which share the scoring load, as well as the ability to score from long-range with ease.
For instance, Roses' Helen Housby famously landed the winning goal in the Commonwealth Games final from afar, while Maria Folau (now retired) was consistent for the Silver Ferns.
The Diamonds, however, have heavily relied on goal-scoring machines Bassett and Caitlin Thwaites as their main scorers over the past decade, with the latter retiring from international netball earlier this year.
Bassett is joined by Giants teammate Kiera Austin in the Australian squad, as well as shooters Gretel Bueta (nee Tippett), Sophie Garbin, Cara Koenen and Steph Wood.
Koenen leads the six shooters in Super Netball goals with 431 so far this season for the Lightning, while Wood has scored 40 Super Shots.
The squad is set to go into camp in Queensland next month, but who's likely to be selected for the 2021 Constellation Cup is yet to be determined.
DIAMONDS 2020-21 SQUAD: Jess Anstiss, Kiera Austin, Caitlin Bassett, Gretel Bueta, Courtney Bruce, Verity Charles, Sophie Garbin, Paige Hadley, Kimberley Jenner, Cara Koenen , Sarah Klau, Jamie-Lee Price, Maddy Proud, Emily Mannix, Kate Moloney, Gabi Simpson, Liz Watson, Jo Weston, Steph Wood.