NSW Swifts buoyed ahead of grand final rematch with Queensland Firebirds in Australian conference final
THE performance of their season has fired the NSW Swifts into the Australian conference final against the Queensland Firebirds and provided a much-needed shot of confidence to the side.
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IT’S payback time.
The NSW Swifts are ready for a blockbuster Australian conference final against the Queensland Firebirds after casting aside the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney yesterday.
Superb shooting and full-court defence drove the Swifts to a 14-goal win in their elimination final to set up a rematch of last year’s ANZ Championship grand final next Monday.
Gritty Australian defender Sharni Layton said it was a confidence-boosting win.
“It feels like the season has started all over again,’’ said Layton, who gave a masterclass in close defence in the Swifts’ 67-53 victory at Sydney Olympic Park.
“It was definitely one of our better games.
“It’s also really buoyed confidence.’’
Layton believes the Swifts will benefit from their often hotly-contested tussle with the Vixens when they take on the Firebirds to determine which Australian team will play in a semi-final against the unbeaten Southern Steel.
The Firebirds earned a week’s rest courtesy of finishing top of the Australian conference a week ago.
Layton said while the Swifts have the belief they can beat the Firebirds, they are well aware of the danger the club — and its passionate fans — poses.
“They have the 13th player — you know, being at home,’’ Layton said of the clash to be played at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
A win against the rested Firebirds will earn the Swifts hosting rights for an ANZ Championship semi-final — and a shot at hosting the season decider.
If the Firebirds win at home, the Swifts will face a trip across the Tasman to meet the eventual NZ conference final champion.
Key to their success against Firebirds will be a repeat performance of the stellar shooting display from starting seven guns Caitlin Thwaites and Susan Pettitt against the Vixens.
Thwaites posted 40 from 44 at a 91 per cent strike rate with Susan Pettitt netting 23 from 24 at 96 per cent in her three quarters of play.
Stephanie Wood scored the remaining four goals in her 15 minutes of court time.
Thwaites was a deserved MVP winner at game end.