Netball’s plan for world domination was on the agenda during a long lunch at Melbourne Park’s Centrepiece on Saturday, before the Super Netball grand final across the pavement at Rod Laver Arena. Among the 800 guests were Bridget McKenzie, Nationals senator and demon netballer, and actor Leah Purcell, who once got physical on the court with Australian netball great Vicky Wilson and hasn’t let anyone forget it. Purcell is working on a teen TV drama about a bunch of girls gunning for the state championships, strategically timed to coincide with the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Speaking of strategic, also in the room was the Brisbane 2032 executive Brendan Keane, and Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis made no secret of the sport’s Big Ambition, to get netty into the Olympics. “We will push hard for Olympic inclusion,” said Ellis, urging everyone in the room to pledge their support for the cause. (McKenzie obliged). Of course, Foxtel execs were on hand, eager to capitalise on the fairytale ascent of the Melbourne Vixens with a big TV audience. But even then, Ellis was playing the long game; Seven head of sport Chris Jones was among the guests. Nothing like a bit of competitive tension with the rights deal expiring next year.