Netball SA Premier League live stream: South Adelaide face Contax in battle for top spot

The Panthers have made it clear, they are the real deal in the Netball SA Premier League - but it took every bit of effort from one of the club’s stalwarts to get the job done. Watch the REPLAYS.

Jess Paradiso, take a bow.

The SA Netball Premier League veteran kept her 250-game celebrations from last weekend going for one more week, showing every minute of her experience to bring the Panthers home against Contax.

The 54-51 victory has handed South Adelaide top spot on the ladder, but with two three-point wins over the reigning champions this season, it also sends a clear message to the competition.

The Panthers are a genuine premiership threat.

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

While the Panthers might not have gone to their bench once across the four quarters, make no mistake, they had an eighth player out on the court at Netball SA Stadium.

The raucous army of Panthers supporters in the stands turned up the intensity on the Contax side, and it clearly got under their skin.

The big crowd erupted with seven and a half minutes left in the final quarter as Contax called a mid-quarter time-out. The defending champions, down by five goals on the scoreboard, were clearly rattled, and realistically for the first time this season.

They made several changes in personnel while Jazmin McKay was told to work overtime on Panthers shooter Maggie Kerr (40 goals).

Replay: South Adelaide v Contax (Reserves)

The break in play almost proved a masterstroke from coach Leanne Eichler, with Contax scoring five-straight goals and forcing turnovers from Kerr on the defensive end to claw their way back level.

The Panthers were calling out for a leader to right the ship, and Paradiso was the one to step up.

Having spent the night feeding her teammate over the top, the veteran goaler took it upon herself with three-straight goals to secure the thrilling win.

Contax had little trouble in the Reserves clash between the two clubs, with the undefeated ladder leaders continuing their impressive run towards the reserves title.

With Emily Laird (26) and Jazmin Noye (25) dominating the shooting circle, the COntax side exploded in a dominant third quarter to set up a comfortable 60-26 win.

They call it the premiership quarter, and the girls in white and blue proved why as they outscored the Panthers 19-2.

PREVIEW

It’s the long-awaited rematch of Netball SA Premier League’s top two on Friday night - and there will be plenty to savour when South Adelaide and Contax take to the court.

They both share an 8-1 record, a game clear of third place Matrics and three clear of fourth place Garville, with victory here likely to land favouritism for the title.

The last time they met in early May, South Adelaide took a three-goal thriller in a game of fine margins, only getting the decisive advantage with a four-goal run at the start of the final quarter.

You can watch all the action from the Premier League and Reserves double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE right here on The Advertiser website and KommunityTV from 7pm.

Check the full LIVE STREAM details below.

Star Panthers attacker Jess Paradiso knows the importance of the game, especially with a top two finish in sight.

the wood over their opponent last time around in round three of the season and remain confident they can get the win again this week to move to top spot.

South Adelaide and Contax will compete in a top of the ladder clash.

“We want to finish top two to give ourselves the best chance as possible in finals. We need to continue to be fearless and not hold anything back if we want to achieve that,” she said.

The Panthers have been on a tear since their one-goal loss to Matrics in round four, comfortably defeating Metro Jets, Newton Jaguars, Oakdale, Garville and Tango to set themselves up for what will be a challenging run home.

Paradiso believed her side had what it took to record an important win this week and use the momentum to achieve finals success after falling short in the 2023 preliminary final.

“Everyone’s excited this week and we know we’re in for a good, hard game,” she said.

“The key for us is going to be having a good start but we know we’re also able to fight back if we do get down.

Jess Paradiso in action against Contax in round three. Picture: On the Ball Media/Netball SA

“We’ve performed really well this season and I think we have a good mix of players, while having some more experience this year as well.

“I think we have what it takes and I know the girls are very excited.

“They are keen to put out what they can for the ultimate goal.”

Contax also enters the game in strong form after defeating Matrics in round eight and Garville in round nine.

They sit on top of South Adelaide on percentage.

South Adelaide will take on Matrics in Round 11 next week, while Contax will meet Metro Jets.