Intellectual setter plays netball every now and then (6)
I believe the answer is:
mental
'intellectual' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'setter plays netball every now and then' is the wordplay.
'setter plays' becomes 'me' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'every now and then' indicates alternate letters (letters selected at regular intervals).
The alternate letters of 'netball' are 'ntal'.
'me'+'ntal'='MENTAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mental that I've seen before include "Done in the mind" , "Relating to the mind" , "Cerebral" , "Barking" , "Light allowing vehicles to turn while ahead is red" .)