Live stream: Matrics vs South Adelaide, Netball SA Premier League, Round 4

Netball SA Premier League heavyweights Matrics are back on top of the ladder, but the side’s third-straight win didn’t come without an almighty scare. Watch the REPLAYS from Friday night.

Premier League heavyweights Matrics are back on top of the Netball SA ranks, but make no mistake, South Adelaide mean business in season 2024.

Matrics opening round loss to Contax has been put firmly in the rearview mirror as they brought the Panthers undefeated start to the season to an end on Friday night.

But it wasn’t before an almighty scare for the Matrics side as South Adelaide mounted a sensational final quarter fight back, clawing back a six-goal deficit to go down 40-39.

WATCH THE PREMIER LEAGUE REPLAY ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE RESERVES REPLAY

The Panthers, who struggled to cope with the unmatched defensive presence of the Matrics side for most of the game, showed a fighting spirit that will see them push the teams at the top end for most of the season.

Star goal attack Jess Paradiso came alive in the final quarter to finish with 23 goals, but main shooter Maggie Kerr struggled to find her rhythm in the circle under constant pressure from Matrics keeper Olivia Watts.

Watts headed up a brilliant defensive display from the Matrics side which included star showings from wing defence duo Sophie Casey and Lucy Voydovic across the opening three quarters.

Matrics had opened up a sizeable lead in leading into halftime, taking a seven goal advantage into the main break and again into the three-quarter break after a 10-10 third term.

While the one-goal win, spearheaded by a 32-goal haul to shooter Lucy Reynolds, has helped them climb back atop the Premier League rankings, there will be plenty of questions raised about their final quarter slip.

With Contax and Garville picking up comfortable fourth round wins over Metro Jets and Oakdale respectively, there is a four-team logjam at the top of the ladder, all on three wins from the opening four rounds.

Replay: Matrics v South Adelaide (Reserves)

In the reserves clash Matrics stamped their authority over the Panthers with a dominant 14-goal third quarter setting up a comfortable 53-34 win.

Amelia Olech and Emily Sibley spent most of the match partnering each other in the shooting circle and combiend for 43 goals, while exciting young gun Grace Stevens shot a perfect 10-from-10 ina blistering final quarter cameo.

Matrics leader Marlee Geroge was excellent across all four quarters, with co-captain Rebecca Allchurch went off midway through the second quarter and was not needed in the second half.

PREVIEW

They might have come within an inch of a premiership win last season, but Matrics will enter the third round of the season as serious underdogs against an undefeated South Adelaide.

Matrics, who fell to arch-rivals Contax in an opening-round grand final rematch last month, have rebounded well in recent weeks and will be searching for a third-straight win on Friday night.

But standing in their way is a brilliant Panthers outfit, riding a wave of momentum off a big win over Contax last week.

The Friday night blockbuster will be exclusively live streamed on The Advertiser and KommunityTV as part of our exclusive match of the rounbd coverage of the Netball SA Premier League season.

Matrics midcourter Tyler Orr said her side had built confidence since the opening round loss, but would need to find another gear against the Panthers.

Tyler Orr in action for Matrics. Picture: Supplied, Netball SA

“South is obviously getting stronger and stronger and they pushed us last year too, so we’re prepared to play a really solid game,” Orr said.

“They’re coming off of a high after beating Contax last week so we need to look at ways to slow them down.

“They’re a super smart team with a lot of experience who use the ball quickly so we need to make sure we value the ball and cut down on errors.”

Matrics are playing under new head coach Amanda Shattock this season after losing to Contax in last year’s grand final and have started to see the results of a fresh approach in recent weeks.

The side topped Newton Jaguars 66-34 in round two and defeated Oakdale 52-47 last week.

Jess Paradiso will be one to watch for South Adelaide on Friday. Picture: Hannah Howard

“It’s a really exciting competition this year and it’s more even than ever across the board,” Orr said.

“We didn’t have the start we wanted but it’s been nice to get a few wins since the Contax game.

“Amanda has been around the club for years so we’re all familiar with her but it’s been great to have a fresh outlook and she brings a real fun element in the change rooms and away from the game as well.

“A win on Friday would be great. It’s still early days but it would just show us we’re continuing to get better and doing the right things.”