NSW Swifts reveal motivation ahead of grand final netball replay against Queensland Firebirds

COACH Rob Wright has finally revealed the motivation behind the Swifts charge to the grand final and says it wasn’t the upset of their one-goal loss in the decider a year ago.

Dejected Swifts players after the grand final loss in 2015.

• Sally Fitz, Gilmore survive surf scare
• Netball grand final guide: Who will win?
• Swifts recovery crucial for success
• Slam dunk for Sydney Uni Flames
• We made history and then we cried

COACH Rob Wright has finally revealed the motivation behind the Swifts charge to the grand final this year — and it wasn’t the upset of their one-goal loss in the decider a year ago.

Wright said it was the realisation the Swifts simply weren’t as good as the championship winning Firebirds which struck home with his players.

Wright, who describes the Firebirds as the “most ruthless team in netball’’ , says the Swifts weren’t unlucky to have lost by a goal — they were beaten by a better side in the 2015 season decider.

And that knowledge has helped lift the side to new heights this season — and to a second shot at showing they are now as good, hopefully better, than the Firebirds.

Elated players after the Firebirds win a year ago.

“The (grand final) loss hit hard because we knew we weren’t good enough,’’ Wright admitted.

“We knew we had to become much better this year to have another shot at them.

“I think we’ve done that. But now we have to go to a new level to win on Sunday.’’

But Wright said there is no doubt in the minds of his charges they can upset the Firebirds despite their daunting record of never being beaten in any of their eight previous home finals matches.

The Swifts have also lost to the Firebird 11 times in Brisbane since the start of the ANZ Championship in 2008.

“I think a lot of people have written us off after the Australian Conference final loss but that’s not how the team see things,’’ Wright said of the Swifts 11-goal defeat at the hands of the Firebirds earlier this month.

“We tried out a few things out in that game. We have also learned a lot of lessons.

“But at the same time I don’t think the Firebirds will underestimate us. They never do. It is one of their strengths.’’

The grand final will be played at 12pm on Sunday in Brisbane with the Swifts flying north on Saturday to finetune their preparations.