Giants, NSW Swifts local derby to kick off Super Netball 2019

Super Netball will start off with a bang for NSW fans with a local derby between the Giants and Swifts to kick off the seasons of the 2019 title contenders.

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Super Netball will start off with a bang for NSW fans with a local derby between the Giants and Swifts to kick off the seasons of the 2019 title contenders.

Competition in the elite netball league begins on April 27 with a double header in Melbourne, with the NSW derby to be played a day later in Sydney.

It will be the first of four straight games the Swifts will play in Sydney at the start of the 2019 competition.

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The Giants will play just two of their first four games at home against the Swifts at Qudos Bank Arena in their season opener and then the Magpies on May 12 at the Quay Centre.

NSW Swifts player Maddy Turner and Giants newbie Matilda McDonell. Pic: Brett Costello

The Swifts will also venture into new territory in 2019, playing their first game in Launceston against the Magpies in round 13 on August 17.

In a year the year the Swifts plan to go from pretenders to serious contenders, defender Maddy Turner says she could not be more happy with the Sydney derby being played in round one.

“It’s one of the hardest and best games of the year to start with it is awesome,’’ Turner said.

“A win in this one would really set the tone for the whole season.’’

While Turner is experienced in dealing with the pressure of a local derby, new Giant Matilda McDonell is not.

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Just 18 and fresh out of school, McDonell could well make her debut in the season opener.

“I didn’t expect this to happen (be named in the Giants team) so the potential to make my debut in a derby is really exciting,’’ she said.

The NSW derby usually produces one of the best games of the year.

With a 17-week season followed by a final series, Super Netball 2019 has managed to avoid clashing with both NRL and AFL grand finals, with its season decider to be played in mid September.

The competition will boast an extended season with an unprecedented four week break to allow top players to return to their home countries to prepare and then play at the netball World Cup in Liverpool in July.

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A grand final rematch between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning will be played in round two.

Indigenous Round is also back in round eight with all eight teams playing each other twice at home and away during the regular seasons.

Two matches per round will be broadcast live on Nine’s main channel.