NSW Swift Sharni Layton embracing pressure of elimination netball final against Melbourne Vixens

SHE’S proudly loud, aggressive and passionate on the court. But the one thing Sharni Layton won’t be in the NSW Swifts elimination final against Melbourne Vixens on Sunday is nervous.

NSW Swifts player Sharni Layton at Netball Central, Homebush. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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SHE’S proudly loud, aggressive and passionate on the court. But the one thing Sharni Layton won’t be in the NSW Swifts elimination final against Melbourne Vixens on Sunday is nervous.

The Australian defender said she revels in the pressure of finals netball and cannot wait to step out on the court for the Swifts do-or-die clash with Vixens at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

The Swifts must win the match to keep alive their hopes of winning the final ANZ Championship contested and meeting the Queensland Firebirds in the Australian conference final on July 18.

NSW Swifts player Sharni Layton. Pic: Jonathan Ng

“I live for this. Finals netball,’’ Layton declared ahead of the vital clash between the second and third finishing teams at the end of the regular season.

I’m excited. This is what gets me going, this is why I play this game.

“I always say I wish we could miss all the preliminary rounds and just play the finals,’’

The Swifts booked the spot in the elimination final of the Australian conference after they drew with Steel last round and the Queensland Firebirds vaulted over the top of them on the league ladder with their demotion of West Coast Fever.

While the Swifts will go into the match as favourites courtesy of their two wins over the Vixens in the regular season Layton said the NSW team is on alert for an upset.

“Finals netball loves producing upsets,’’ she said.

“Also we played the Vixens very early in the piece this season. Even the second time we played them they were only just finding their form.

“We haven’t seen them at their best yet.’’

NSW Swifts Sharni Layton hits the ground during a match this year. Pic: Brett Costello

Nor the Swifts, according to Layton who admits she and her teammates were disappointed with the performance they put out last Saturday in their 59-59 draw with the undefeated Southern Steel.

The result deprived them of a week off and a spot directly in the Australian conference final.

“We still haven’t pieced together four really good quarters yet and that’s a big goal for us this week,’’ said Layton, who will run the defence end for the Swifts against Vixens.

“It’s going to be a tough game against them.

“It’s a little like going into the unknown against them because they improved so much during the season.’’

Of interest will be how young shooter Emma Ryde, who steered the Vixens into the elimination final against the Swifts thanks to an impressive 52-goal individual haul, fares against Layton and circle partner Maddy Turner.

The pair have this season emerged as one of the best defensive combinations in the league despite Turner playing her first ever match for the Swifts at the start of the season.

Layton currently leads the league in intercepts and deflections.

NSW SWIFTS V MELBOURNE VIXENS

Date: Sunday 10 July

Venue: Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia

Time: 12.18pm (AEST) (Doors open: 11.00am)