Watch the replay: Rivals Contax and Matrics clash in round one of Netball SA Premier League live stream

A big turnaround has shot Matrics to victory in the Netball SA Premier League season opener on Friday night. Re-live all the action in our full match replay.

Matrics has made a statement and turned the tables on last year’s grand final defeat in the process with a strong victory over Contax in the Netball SA Premier League season opener.

The Maroons put in a dominant display to down the reigning premiers 54-36 at Netball SA Stadium on Friday night.

All the action was exclusively live streamed by The Advertiser.

WATCH THE CONTAX v MATRICS (PREMIER) REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Matrics attacker Lucy Austin and Contax defender Jessie Grenvold batlle for the ball in the Premier League netball season opener at Netball SA Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Matt Loxton

Matrics’ triumph came despite a hot start by Contax, which jumped out to a six-shot lead before it was pegged back with scores 11-8 at the first change.

From then on it was all Matrics, as it got on top to give goal shooter Lucy Austin great service and take a 22-17 advantage into the main break.

The half-time break did nothing to slow the Maroons’ momentum as Austin, who made an impressive Adelaide Thunderbirds debut last week, continued to combine well with goal attack Lauren Frew.

Matrics went on the ouscore Contax by nine goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth.

In the reserves clash, Matrics saw off a strong-finishing Contax side to prevail 42-41.

REPLAY: CONTAX v MATRICS (RESERVES)

PREVIEW: ‘POWERFUL’ RIVALS READY TO RUMBLE

A refreshed Matrics side is determined to make amends for its heartbreaking one-point grand final loss to Contax, according to new captain Sophie Croft.

The next chapter in SA netball’s greatest modern rivalry will be written when the two foes meet to open the Premier League season on Friday night.

And the grand final rematch will be exclusively live streamed here as part of a season long deal between The Advertiser and Netball SA.

The Premier clash will be broadcast from 6.50pm, followed by the reserves at 8.40pm.

Between them, Contax and Matrics have won every Premier League title since 2010, meeting in seven grand finals in that time.

Sophie Croft (Matrics) and Chelsea Keough (Contax) ahead of the season-opening Premier League netball clash. Picture: Netball SA/Sarah Reed

Contax edged ahead in the winning ledger, 4-3, with a thrilling victory in last year’s decider.

Croft, who has taken over as Matrics skipper from the retired Laura Packard, said there was significant respect between the two clubs.

“The rivalry between us and Contax is so strong … when you hit the court it’s that white-line fever and you leave everything out there, but we’re all quite good friends after the game,” Croft said.

“It’s that relationship which really makes it powerful.

“Going down by one point in the dying seconds in the grand final is obviously a hard pill to swallow and there has been a lot of focus and drive to not let that happen again.

“We’ve got a very young group at the moment but we’re starting to jell well together and have so much depth, so it will be exciting to get on court and see what we’re made of.”

Contax captain Chelsea Keough said last year’s narrow grand final victory had added to the rivalry.

Contax celebrates winning the 2021 Premier League grand final. Picture: Netball SA

“I think it’s exciting and you never quite know what to expect against Matrics,” Keough said.

“We know that (the grand final) is in the past now … this year were hoping to be there again and have a more consistent season.

“It’s always nice to start out strong with a win and to get one over them first up would obviously be great.”

The Advertiser’s live stream coverage of the Premier League will feature an exclusive double-header fixture every round this season from Court 1 at Netball SA Stadium.

Set to take the challenge to the top two sides this year will be preliminary finalist Garville along with 2021 finals side Tango.

Metro Jets, Newton Jaguars, Oakdale and South Adelaide will all also be looking to push up the ladder when the new season gets underway.

THE TEAMS

CONTAX

Captain: Chelsea Keough

Coach: Leeanne Eichler

Last season: Premiers

GARVILLE

Captain: Phoebe Bonner

Coach: Kirsty Leonard-Down

Last season: 4th

MATRICS

Captain: Sophie Croft

Coach: Jacqui Illman

Last season: 2nd

METRO JETS

Captain: Alice Gerlach

Coach: Trudy Barker

Last season: 7th

NEWTON JAGUARS

Captains: Laura Scriven and Brooke McDonnell

Coach: Alana House

Last season: 8th

OAKDALE

Captain: Jordan Vivian

Coach: Vanessa Dempsey

Last season: 5th

SOUTH ADELAIDE

Captains: Eilish McKay, Sam Gooden, Brooke McIntyre

Coach: Dani Johnson

Last season: 6th

TANGO

Captain: Jess Paradiso

Coach: Jackie Blyth

Last season: 3rd