NSW Swifts set up netball Grand Final replay against Queensland Firebirds with Magic defeat

THE NSW Swifts have the chance to avenge one of the most heartbreaking losses in ANZ Championship history after winning their way into the grand final against the Queensland Firebirds for a second year

The Firebirds and Swifts will meet again in the grand final.

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THE NSW Swifts have the chance to avenge one of the most heartbreaking losses in ANZ Championship history after winning their way into the grand final against the Queensland Firebirds for a second year.

The Swifts survived a bruising match-up to beat New Zealand rivals Magic 64-45 in a physical semi-final in Hamilton to secure themselves a shot at redemption — and reward gritty defender Sharni Layton with a 100th match milestone she will want to remember.

“It’s exciting,’’ said Swifts co-captain Kim Green. “I am so proud of the girls. They have done a lot of travel the last few weeks but gave it everything tonight and we got the win. You have to be happy with that.’’

The all-Australian grand final will be played in Brisbane with the Swifts needing to break an 11-game losing streak there to avenge their one-goal loss to the Firebirds at the same venue a year ago.

The Firebirds and Swifts will meet again on Sunday in the Grand Final.

The Firebirds beat Southern Steel 67-64 on Sunday to book the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for the decider of the final trans-Tasman netball league.

The Queensland team are chasing a spot in history as the first team in the competition to claim back-to-back titles by winning Sunday’s grand final.

But the Swifts showed against Magic they are finding their best form at the right time with a stellar defensive effort, attacking speed and superb shooting from Caitlin Thwaites helping set up the victory.

They also proved themselves up for anything, handing rather than reacting to the physicality of Magic as their game deteriorated in the third period.

Shooter Susan Pettitt came off second best when hit in the face by a ball in a third quarter but was able to play on as the Swifts romped to a 19 goal lead at the third break.

In a replay of last year’s semi-final the Swifts again came out on top of Magic to book their spot in the decider.

In a physical match, the Swifts led from the opening whistle and despite some close calls, were never headed by their New Zealand rivals.

The win saw them thwart the aspirations of two former Swifts — coach Julie Fitzgerald and former player Megan Dehn, now her assistant.

Alert to the danger of Magic’s ability to grab a quick jump on rivals, the Swifts came out hard to rack up a three-goal lead midway through the first quarter before being bought back to two at the break.

But in the second quarter cracks appeared in Magic’s game with defensive pressure and the speed of the Swifts earning the NSW side a hefty nine goal lead at halftime.

The Swifts increased their lead to 19 ahead of the final quarter before running out 64-45 winners.