Super Netball 2025: Queensland Firebirds continue unbeaten start to the season, NSW Swifts also remain two from two
After such a disastrous 2024 season, the Queensland Firebirds are two from two and find themselves at the top of the Super Netball table with the also unbeaten NSW Swifts.
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Two matches so far played in round two of the Suncorp Super Netball competition and two teams remain undefeated. Catch up on all the action below.
Swifts continue return to form this season
- Georgia Doyle
The NSW Swifts return to form continued, but they were pushed all the way by the Melbourne Mavericks in a physical 68 to 62 Super Netball clash.
The Swifts shot out to an early lead, as the Mavericks were slow to find their groove before settling in and mounting a comeback courtesy of some serious hustle in defence.
However, the Swifts were just too slick, finishing six point winners, despite a massive challenge from the underdogs.
The tall timbers of Grace Nweke & Shimona Jok were dominant under the post for their respective sides, shooting at 96 and 97 percent accuracy.
The Mavericks struggled to find Jok early, under immense pressure from Sarah Klau, but as the game wore in Jok got stronger and ended up outscoring Nweke to finish with a game high 55 from 57
The contest was physical from the first whistle, with several players spending time on the floor boards as everyone was hustling hard to help their team get the edge. Maisie Nankivell was particularly effective at making her presence felt, coming up against multiple opponents as Swifts tried to find a smoother path to goal.
Mavericks’ coach Tracey Neville was pleased with her team’s brilliant fight back from a nine goal deficit, yet frustrated they were forced into that position.
Speaking to broadcast during the match, she said “we need to continue to mix it up in defence, we know they’ve got that direct ball [into Nweke] so we need to force them to hesitate. And some of our errors just aren’t good enough at this level.”
With gains hard to come by in such an attacking game, new recruit Sharni Lambden was pivotal for the Swifts. She was menacing in wing defence getting her hand to three deflections and two intercepts, while providing ample opportunity for her circle defenders to also add to their stat sheet.
With the Mavericks ahead in the third quarter, it was time for match MVP Helen Housby to turn up the heat. She sunk two super shots to push the Swifts ahead and provide the fire up her team needed.
From there the Swifts dominated the final quarter, with Housby sinking an additional two super shots to seal the deal on their six point win.
Clutch from Housby 😮â€ðŸ’¨
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) April 12, 2025
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Swifts coach Briony Akle was full of praise her her MVP Housby, saying post match “everyone knows she is a powerhouse with the two point shot, having the ball in her hand works for her and for us. For her too come away with all those shots under such defensive pressure, backed up by Grace, she did a great job.”
Post match, Neville acknowledged the positive aspects of her team’s performance saying “Coming back from nine goals down, that takes a toll on you. We were playing very good netball, not letting the scoreline blow out which is a sign of a good team. It was fine margins [that lost us] the game, we just need to take our opportunities which is something that comes with trust and experience.”
INS AND OUTS
With the introduction of the 11th player rule last year, teams were given the first opportunity to drop players from the game day squad purely on form. No team took up this opportunity in 2024, but already this season contracted Swift Sophie Fawns is yet to appear in the game day squad despite no news of injury.
CENTRE SWITCH
Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter has rarely been seen out of the wing defence position in her many years of Super Netball.
With usual centre Molly Jovic managing an injury, Parmenter has slotted into the middle and while she adds a doggedness through the whole court, she occasionally lacked finesse in finding her shooters with a number of balls sailing straight over the base line and out of court, contributing to her six turnovers.
Firebirds continue unbeaten start to season with massive upset
- Katrina Nissen
The Queensland Firebirds’ inspirational start to their Super Netball season continues with a massive upset 67 to 54 point victory over the West Coast Fever.
The Fever, still without their superstar goaler, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, put up a courageous fight but couldn’t withstand a hungry home side and shooting masterclass from new import Mary Cholhok.
Standing at 201 centimetres tall, the Ugandan was unmatchable in the air and finished with MVP honours and 42 at 86% per cent.
At the opposite end, Fowler-Nembhard’s replacement Olivia Wilkinson wilted under the pressure of youngster Isabelle Shearer, who created havoc under the post.
Despite having bigger names in front of her, Shearer was one of the best on court for the home side.
In just her second season, the goal keeper forced numerous changes as Fever tried in vain to find the post, and contributed four deflections and two intercepts.
Speaking after the match, Shearer gave credit to her teammates for making her ‘look good’.
“I always say that as a goal keeper, I can’t do anything if the ball is coming down too fast. Today it was a full team defence and the last five minutes particularly, Ruby [Bakewell-Doran] said that everyone is defending, and everyone is delaying. So it is amazing seeing everyone out there doing their job.”
A dominant second quarter saw the Firebirds jump out to a 13 point lead, leaving Fever coach Dan Ryan exasperated with his side. He made numerous changes across the course of the match, telling commentary that defensively, his side was “struggling to stay in the contest”.
Rising star Ruth Aryang was one of the few to answer his call, with four gains in just 15 minutes on court.
In the third term, Fever introduced Mwai Kumwenda under the post, having initially signed her as a permanent replacement for Fowler-Nembhard.
However the Jamaican superstar may be back in the Fever line-up soon, having given the requisite four weeks notice of intent to return to play after suffering a miscarriage earlier in the year. After seven years as the linchpin of the Fever’s attacking line, the club are clearly struggling without her. Currently anchored to the bottom of the ladder, her possible return would be welcome as they chase another finals berth.
With the Firebirds ringing the changes throughout the match, Emily Moore and Macy Gardner were two other standouts. Gardner picked up where she left off last week, utilising her blistering speed to transition play and pick-up loose balls. Conversely Moore’s composure and smooth plays in attack added calm and patience to the front line.
The Firebirds win is just the fourth time in three years that the Firebirds have won back-to-back games.
That wasn’t a Ruby, it was a diamond 💎
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) April 12, 2025
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GOAL SETTING
In Round 1, Firebirds goalers scored a sub-par 70% of their goal attempts. Comparatively, every other winning team from round one was scoring upwards of 87%. This would not be such an issue if the Firebirds were collecting rebounds and scoring off them, however, their missed goal conversion was an uninspired 48%. In Round 2 those numbers sat at 80% and 71%, respectively.
If the Queenslanders hope to contest finals, they will need to maintain these Round 2 numbers.
FOWLER-NEMBHARD’S RETURN
Netball Australia has given the green light for Fever’s superstar goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard to make her Super Netball comeback. Under National Employment Standards, Fowler-Nembhard is eligible to return to her pre-parental leave position, having given the requisite four weeks notice of intent. Having suffered a devastating miscarriage earlier in the year, the Jamaican will still need clearance from the club’s high performance staff, while her replacement, Mwai Kumwenda, can negotiate a training partner position with Fever.
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Originally published as Super Netball 2025: Queensland Firebirds continue unbeaten start to the season, NSW Swifts also remain two from two
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