Sydney double-header to give top four teams taste of finals fever
NSW Swifts and the Giants are relishing the chance to put their finals credentials to the test against fellow top four teams in a star-studded double-header in Sydney.
Super Netball’s top four collide in Sydney on Saturday with the NSW Swifts and Giants on a mission to deliver a derby grand finale.
The Quaycentre hosts a “finals comes early” double-header as the harbour city sides take on Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning respectively.
There’s just three rounds remaining in the regular season and both Sydney teams are relishing the chance to share the spotlight with the pressure really on.
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And expect two physical contests with no quarter asked or given.
The fourth-placed Giants need to beat second-placed Lightning to keep fifth-placed Collingwood at bay, while the ladder-leading Swifts chase a victory to maintain their narrow advantage at the top.
Numerous internationals will be on display and it’s a big chance for Diamonds hopefuls to stake a claim for future selection.
“I spoke to a couple of the players yesterday and they were saying how amazing it would be to have an all-Sydney grand final and how fantastic it would be for both clubs and netball in NSW,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said.
Akle, who will be without injured English international Helen Housby for Saturday’s clash, says fans can expect some exciting individual duels.
“Paige Hadley versus Kate Maloney in the middle is going to be a very big battle,” Akle said. “Both are fiercely competitive and there’s the fight for that Diamonds spot.
“Sammy Wallace against Emily Mannix is another one to look out for. These girls love the battle. People will walk away at times with bumps and bruises. They’re tough.”
As for the Giants, the vastly experienced Kim Green believes Sydney is in for an experience to savour.
“It’s going to be an epic weekend of netball in Sydney,” she said. “It’s getting to the crunch end of the season and this is where you want to see where you sit among the top four.
“We love our crowds in Sydney, they’re pretty incredible. They’re very vocal and just love good netball. The skill level is out of this world and it’s only going to get better.
“Teams are stronger, teams are faster and both teams are going for the ball as hard as they can. It’s grown into a great spectacle.”
The Giants’ clash will feature a huge individual battle between South Africa’s Karla Pretorius (GD, Lightning) and England’s Jo Harten (GA, Giants).
“She (Pretorius) seems to win player of the week, week after week and she’s up against Jo, who’s just been smashing it the last couple of weeks and has come off the World Cup even more invigorated than before she went to it,” Green said.
“Then there’s Laura Langman in the middle, for me, I think the best player in the world at the moment. She went to the World Cup and really, really drove the Silver Ferns to that gold medal. She faces Jamie-Lee Price, who has also come back from the World Cup firing.
“We know how vital these next three weeks are for us. We have Collingwood right behind us but I think we’re a team that when our backs against the wall, we really step up and I think that’s what you’ve seen from us this season.”
SUPER NETBALL DOUBLE HEADER
Saturday at the Quaycentre
Giants v Lightning: 3pm
Swifts v Vixens: 7pm
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