Netball record smashed, ‘massive threat’ to Australia at Comm Games: talking points
A Super Netball record has been smashed, while a star duo are proving why one country will be a huge threat to Australia this year.
There’s only three rounds left of the Super Netball season and all eight teams are still in the hunt for a finals spot.
The premiership favourites doing everything right, the race for top four on a knife’s edge and the team looming as a “massive threat” to Australia at the Commonwealth Games. Here are the big Super Netball talking points.
Watch Suncorp Super Netball on Kayo. Every game of every round LIVE. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >
Finals race still wide open
The Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever are locks for the top two but the other two finals spots are still up for grabs with three rounds left in the season.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have leapt up to third and the Giants are fourth, but if the Swifts, Firebirds and Magpies get on a roll they could easily sneak into the top four.
“You’d be pretty game to even suggest who will end up in the top four,” former Australian Diamond turned Fox Netball commentator Bianca Chatfield told news.com.au.
“Every week and every round, there is just so many results that are surprising. Teams go from playing incredibly well to then not performing and teams that are on the bottom of the ladder beat teams that are near the top.
“It’s pretty much all over the place other than the Vixens and the Fever, the two standouts who have just consistently performed and I believe will be in the top four. But every other position is up for grabs.”
Chatfield believes the Magpies and Giants will join the Vixens and Fever in the finals, although she joked: “I don’t know if anyone can really pick it”.
Fever make history in record win
The West Coast Fever defeated the Giants 86-77 in a high-scoring clash on Sunday and made netball history in the process.
Their tally of 86 points broke the record for the most points ever scored by a team in a Super Netball game, surpassing the previous mark of 82 held jointly by the Fever and Giants.
Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler scored 68 of those points at a remarkable 99 per cent accuracy.
Premiership favourites doing everything right
The Melbourne Vixens had another solid win over the Swifts on the weekend and are now four points clear of Fever at the top of the table.
After claiming the wooden spoon last year, the 2020 Super Netball premiers are looking like they can go all the way this season.
Chatfield, a former Vixen, said the return of gun midcourter Liz Watson from injury and the Vixens’ balanced and versatile line-up have been the keys to their success.
“Compared to last year when they lost Lizzy Watson, this year not only have they recruited well, got Liz back and everyone’s performing in the starting seven,” she said.
“They’ve also got a strong bench and players to be able to bring on when they need to.
“It’s the versatility of moving around the midcourt, changing Jo Weston, Emily Mannix and Olivia Lewis around in defence, and then having Kiera Austin in the line-up — that’s also been really helpful for them to fill that goal attack void that they probably have had in the past.
“They recruited well but not necessarily just for starting seven players, they made sure they had players on the bench that can come on and have an impact and that’s really helped them.”
“They’ve definitely had challenges and had losses that they shouldn’t have had. But it’s just not been as inconsistent as other teams.”
Chatfield believes the Vixens well and truly have what it takes to win the premiership this season.
“Yeah I definitely can (see them winning),” she said.
“I picked them from the start of the season because I knew they would be strong.
“But they’ve also managed to get through without injuries or anything major, so that’s been important to their success.”
Team that will be “massive threat” to Australia at Comm Games
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have surged up the ladder into third spot on the back of three consecutive wins, largely thanks to the performance of their star defenders Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson.
The duo have earned high praise from netball fans and pundits for their ability to intercept and get possession for the Thunderbirds.
“It’s been an absolute standout performance from their Jamaican defenders Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson,” Chatfield said of the Thunderbirds’ late-season surge.
“(It’s) incredible what they can do and how much ball they can get.”
And if we see Sterling and Wilson join shooters Jhaniele Fowler and Shimona Nelson in the same team, Jamaica could seriously challenge the traditional netball powerhouse nations at the Commonwealth Games later this year.
“They’ll be a massive threat at Comm Games,” Chatfield said.
“Yes, you’ve got Fowler. Shimona Nelson is also eligible. Jodi-Ann Ward from Collingwood is another defender you could put in the mix. It’s incredible the talent that they have.
“I’m unsure of the strength of the midcourt for Jamaica. But I certainly think Australia, England and New Zealand will be keeping a very close eye on Jamaica and what they’ve done in the Super Netball.”
Super Netball Round 12
Collingwood Magpies vs NSW Swifts — Saturday 6pm AEST
West Coast Fever vs Queensland Firebirds — Saturday 8pm AEST
Melbourne Vixens vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Sunday 2pm AEST
Giants vs Adelaide Thunderbirds — Sunday 4pm AEST
Austin powers Diamonds to big series win over Roses
A commanding performance from goal attack Kiera Austin has helped power Australia to a series win against the Roses with a 69-56 victory in Bendigo on Wednesday night.
England stun Australia in four-decade first
England has claimed a thrilling two-goal win over Australia in a huge upset to stun the home side and keep the series alive.
REPLAYS: Marie Little Shield national netball c’ships, finals day
It was billed as a showdown between the two Marie Little Shield powerhouses, but one side had other ideas at the national netball championships. Watch all four play-off REPLAYS.