NSW Swifts gain confidence with draw against Vixens ahead of Super Netball
THE NSW Swifts have completed match preparations for the upcoming Super Netball season with a draw against Melbourne Vixens which they are quite chuffed about.
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THE NSW Swifts have completed match preparations for the upcoming Super Netball season with a draw against Melbourne Vixens they are quite chuffed about.
Just a fortnight before the start of the world class netball competition, the Swifts played their final lead-up game against last year’s minor premiers to show they have managed to shake off one of their worst habits of 2017.
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The draw - achieved after a final quarter fightback from four goal down - has given the Swifts a major confidence boost for the season which kicks off later this month.
The Swifts last year lost numerous games in the final quarter but the early signs are new coach Briony Akle has managed to eliminated this final period fade from the game.
“Now we are chasing things down and pushing on in crucial moments,” said captain Abbey McCulloch.
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“We are showing ourselves we can stay in the game for 60 minutes.”
McCulloch said the team is not discussing last year’s weakness, instead just working on eradicating it from their game.
The Swifts meet the Queensland Firebirds in the opening round of the competition which will be played as a double header at Qudos Bank Arena.
On the same bill the Giants will take on Lightning in a repeat of last season’s decider.
ROUND ONE FIXTURE:
APRIL 28
3pm Vixens v Magpies, Hisense Arena, Melbourne
APRIL 29
1pm: Giants v Lightning, Qudos Bank Arena.
3pm, Swifts v Firebirds, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
12.30pm Thunderbirds v Fever, Priceline Stadium, Adelaide