COLLINGWOOD and Greater Western Sydney fans can now extend their support to a whole new sport, with the two AFL clubs set to feature teams in a revamped national netball league.

The Magpies will have a team outright, while the Giants have partnered with Netball NSW to secure a side in the new look eight-team competition. 

Both clubs have been confirmed as preferred bidders, with the finer details still to be locked in ahead of the league's 2017 debut. 

It creates the genuine possibility of the Magpies dominating Saturday night television, with their AFL team a regular prime-time fixture on Channel Seven and Fox Footy while their netball counterparts will be a drawcard on Channel Nine and Telstra TV. 

Thursday's announcement comes as the AFL continues work on its new national women's competition, for which both the Magpies and Giants are bidding for teams. 

The announcement of the new AFL-aligned netball teams and broadcast arrangements are being hailed as historic for the female court sport.

"In the future, this day will be regarded as the beginning of full professionalism in Australian netball," Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer said.

"Together with recent developments in cricket and football, these are dividends of a long struggle for proper recognition of women's team sports," Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie said.

"I have no doubt the audiences will flock to the new competition.

"Netball is ready for the big stage."