Swifts defender Maddy Turner says ‘nice’ netballers don’t win titles and has a new tactic to win

Swifts defender Maddy Turner has come to the realisation “nice” netballers don’t win major titles. So she’s doing something about it.

Maddy Turner guarding Maria Folau of the Thunderbirds in round two.

• Super Netball guide: teams, fixture, history
• Heartbreak behind this netball masterclass
• Maria Folau tipped to fly high in Super Netball

Swifts defender Maddy Turner has come to the realisation “nice” netballers don’t win major titles.

In fact the entire Swifts roster has learned the lesson that being sweet to each other leaves you with a bitter taste at season end.

It’s why Turner and her teammate have worked on a new tactic in the pre-season of being less nice to each other - when it comes to netball at least.

Maddy Turner guarding Maria Folau in the Swifts win in round two. The Swifts are undefeated heeading into their match against Fever.

SWIFTS SOAR: Folau hit court, Swifts hit new heights

BENCHIE’S DREAM: Sophie’s goal to make the cut

“Not nasty, but not nice, more honest,” Turner said.

“We were too nice to each other and too scared to call each other out.

“We’ve worked on that big time. Make each other far more accountable.

“We aren’t afraid to push ourselves, be far more open with each other. It’s a massive breakthrough. It didn’t come naturally. It was a real struggle we had last year.”

The change has been provoked by coach Briony Akle, a former player with the club and now in her second season as coach.

“It was important for us to do, to change the way we were doing things,” Turner says of the reset.

“But even Briony had to say at one stage we were probably all being a little too honest and to tone it down.”

Maddy Turner says the Swifts are a better team for not being so “nice ‘ to each other

Blessed with a dream draw of four straight games in Sydney, the Swifts set an early season goal of opening the season with four straight wins.

After victories over the Giants and Thunderbirds they are halfway to achieving the goal.

They will also go into this Sunday’s match against West Coast Fever tipped for success.

Fever are struggling with injuries to key players and last weekend were beaten 80-55 in a Grand Final rematch with Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Coach Akle says restricting Jamaican superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid will be key to the Swifts success.

Akle said Turner and fellow defenders will need to work to restrict the ball Fowler-Reid received in the circle with the Jamaican already averaging more than 50 goals a game.

“If she is out (of the circle), we will try and keep her out,’’ Akle said.

“It’s a guaranteed goal if she gets the ball at the post.

“So out defenders will need to be brave and go for intercepts.’’

MILESTONE: Kim Green’s extraordinary career

GIANT LOSS: Vixens spoil legend’s party

SUPER NETBALL ROUND THREE

Saturday

2.30pm: Thunderbirds v Vixens, Priceline Stadium, Adelaide

Sunday

1pm: Lightning v Firebirds, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

1pm: Swifts v Fever, Quaycentre, Sydney

5pm: Giants v Magpies, Quaycentre, Sydney

Originally published as Swifts defender Maddy Turner says ‘nice’ netballers don’t win titles and has a new tactic to win