Swift recovery crucial to NSW’s bid for historic netball grand final win

THEY are known for their turn of pace but it will be how quickly travel weary Swifts players manage to throw off their fatigue that could decide the teams fate in Sunday’s netball grand final.

Kim Green and Gabi Simpson in a match-up earlier this season.

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THEY are known for their turn of pace on the court but it will be how quickly travel weary Swifts players manage to throw off their fatigue and freshen back up that could determine the teams fate in Sunday’s netball grand final.

The fatigued Swifts flew back into Sydney from New Zealand late Tuesday afternoon after their semi-final victory over Magic in Hamilton on Monday night.

In contrast the Firebirds have had two days to rest and recover from their semi-final against Southern Steel on Sunday.

And while the Firebirds will host their fourth game in a row, the Swifts will embark on their third away trip — and seventh flight in three weeks — when they head north on Saturday to complete final preparations for the ANZ Championship decider.

Australian Conference Final - Qld Firebirds v NSW Swifts netball. Clare McMeniman. Pic Jono Searle.

Coach Rob Wright believes his players are in good shape and will be back to their best by game day.

“We had a physio with us and the recovery started at Auckland airport as we waited for the plane,’’ he said.

“Everyone looks good. No real issues. At this stage, barring anything happening in training, all 12 will be ready to go.’’

Co-captain Kim Green has praised her players for dealing with the tough scheduling of recent weeks and said the Swifts are just happy they get another shot at the Firebirds who have beaten the NSW team in two of their three matches this season, including the Australian Conference final earler this month.

The side also won the 2015 ANZ Championship title with a 57-56 victory over the Swifts.

“It is just so great that we get another go at them,’’ said Green who played a full game against magic to show she is well on the road to recovery from a late season knee injury.

“It’s nice to have another chance at winning the title after last year.’’

Green said the team has gained confidence boost thanks to their performance in the 64-45 trouncing of Magic in the semi-final.

It was the Swifts best game of the season but still not good enough according to Green.

“There were still things we didn’t execute right so there’s still room for improvement,’’ she said.

The Swifts need to snap an 11-game losing streak in Brisbane to claim the last ANZ championship trophy with an all-Australian league replacing the trans-Tasman competition in 2017.