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A game and its objective (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

netball

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'objective' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'a game and its' is the wordplay.
'a game' becomes 'ball' (ball game is a kind of game).
'and' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'its' becomes 'net' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ball' after 'net' is 'NETBALL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for netball that I've seen before include "Game for women or girls" , "After this, you get to serve again" , "Team sport" , "Team game for tall Ben" , "Women's game" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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