Super Netball state of play: Giants fire, Fever burn, Vixens star, Lightning strike

NINE rounds down, five to go and it’s still anyone’s game in Super Netball.

Round nine action in Super Netball had it all.

• NEW WORLD: Athletes create own world surf series

• YIKES: Skipper’s brush with creatures of the deep

• STUNNER: Jessica Fox in winners circle again

NINE rounds down, five to go and it’s still anyone’s game in Super Netball.

While Fever continue to show the way in the league, the top four is still open for change after another weekend of thrillers in the top netball competition in the world.

Today we take a look at the state of play in Super Netball heading into the 10th round of the elite league.

Susan Pettitt played a big role in the Giants win.

GIANTS 63 THUNDERBIRDS 44

Life simply isn’t getting any better for the Thunderbirds who were outclassed in every area in their big loss to the Giants.

While the Giants jumped back into the top two with the result, it wasn’t all good news for the side who had three players — Sam Poolman, Serena Guthrie and Jo Harten — injured in heavy clashes.

Their fortunes against the Swifts this weekend could well depend on the fitness of these stars and captain Kim Green who sat out the game injured.

GIANTS shooting statistics

Susan Pettitt 27/35

Jo Harten 30/34

Kristina Brice 6/6

DIAMONDS COACH: Lisa Alexander tips her top four

CRUSHED: Vixens snap Swifts run at home

Thunderbirds shooting statistics

Shimona Nelson 23/27

Charlee Hodges 10/14

Sasha Glasgow 11/16

Suncorp Super Netball premiership points

GIANTS 8, Thunderbirds 0

MVP: Jo Harten

Sunshine Coast Lightning players celebrate their win against the Queensland Firebirds.

LIGHTNING 58 FIREBIRDS 57

What a thriller. It doesn't get any more exciting than this.

Australian captain Caitlin Bassett nailed the winning goal with just three seconds on the clock to secure Lighting the crucial win in the Queensland derby.

The win came after the Firebirds won the two opening periods and had lead by four goals at one stage in the second half.

The win has kept the defending champions, Lightning, in the race for the top four.

Lightning shooting statistics

Caitlin Bassett 34/38

Steph Wood 24/27

Firebirds shooting statistics

Romelda Aiken 33/39

Gretel Tippett 24/25

Suncorp Super Netball premiership points

Lightning 5, Firebirds 2

MVP: Steph Wood

Sam Wallace starred for the Swifts in the circle against the Vixens.

VIXENS 65 SWIFTS 58

The Swifts trailed at the end of every quarter of this crucial match to see their undefeated run at home this season snapped by the Vixens.

While they were minus the injured Claire O’Brien and Sophie Garbin, the Vixens were all class in this match-up to confirm themselves as a favourite for a top four spot.

In contrast, the Swifts need to lift their game and beat the Giants in round 10 to keep alive their hopes of a historic semi-final appearance.

Swifts shooting statistics

Sam Wallace 48/50

Helen Housby 10/11

Vixens shooting statistics

Mwai Kumwenda 37/39

Tegan Philip 28/30

Suncorp Super Netball premiership points

Vixens 6, Swifts 1

No bonus point awarded for drawn third quarter

MVP: Liz Watson

Jhaniele Fowler was the best shooter again in round nine.

FEVER 70 MAGPIES 57

Fever’s march towards the finals continues, as does the Magpies forgettable season.

While super shooter Jhaniele Fowler starred again it was a team effort from Fever who have one hand on the minor premiership.

In contrast, it looks to be over for the Magpies.

Magpies shooting statistics

Caitlin Thwaites 43/50

Erin Bell 3/6

Alice Teague-Neeld 11/13

Fever shooting statistics

Jhaniele Fowler 62/66

Nat Medhurst 8/8

Suncorp Super Netball premiership points

Fever 7 Magpies 0

No bonus point awarded for drawn third quarter

MVP: Courtney Bruce