Super Netball: Vixens remain undefeated, Thunderbirds’ Giants thumping as Mavs make history
Melbourne Mavericks have made history by clinching the first win in Super Netball, the third-placed Thunderbirds showed why they might be a finals contender with a thumping win, as Vixens, Fever go 4-0.
Melbourne Mavericks have come from behind to clinch their first win in Super Netball.
And it came against a team regarded among the premiership contenders.
Then, the Thunderbirds showed why they are among the contenders with a 20-goal thumping of the Giants.
While the Vixens remain undefeated to start the season.
To wrap up round, the Fever got its revenge over the Swifts.
Here are all the match wraps from round 4 of the Super Netball competition.
FEVER GET ITS REVENGE
It took nine months but the West Coast Fever have taken revenge against the NSW Swifts to the tune of 16 goals. The bittersweet 75 to 59 win comes after the Swifts secured a thrilling final seconds victory over the Fever in last season’s Super Netball preliminary final, crushing their chances at back-to-back premierships.
Swifts’ cause wasn’t helped by the unusually quiet form of Helen Housby, who was blanketed by MVP Sunday Aryang, and restricted to a humbling three goals and an unheard of accuracy rate of 43 percent. Aryang has well and truly stepped out of fellow Australian Diamond Courtney Bruce’s shadow, in what is a stand out season for the 22 year old.
In the first 10 minutes the scoreboard ticked over with both teams sharing the lead but a few costly errors and a flurry of supershots gave Fever a handy eight goal lead heading into the first break.
A quarter time rev up from coach Briony Akle sparked a defensive lift from the Swifts, as Elle Temu and Sarah Klau were able to disrupt the Fever’s slick attacking unit. This combined with brilliant two point shooting from youngster Sophie Fawns - who finished with 12 from 117 including eight super shots - allowed Swifts to claw back the goal difference to two at half time.
At halftime Fawns acknowledged the comeback but noted they couldn’t rest easily. “We need more discipline. We’re giving away cheap ball, and Fever will punish you when they get their hands on the ball.”
Unfortunately for the Swifts, Fever were the more disciplined side in the second half, forcing errors and getting more hands to clean ball. It proved the difference as Fever ran out big winners and maintained their position at the top of the ladder.
Speaking after the match, Swifts coach Briony Akle said her side needed to be smarter in their choices. “Fever are too good. We fell into their trap and played across court balls which are easily read. We must control our possession of the ball. And get our centre pass conversion up. We didn’t do that as well.”
Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud was best on court for the home side. The energetic midcourter contributed 34 feeds and hunted down four pickups. The much loved athlete also spent a bit of time on the floorboards in the physical encounter much to the displeasure of the vocal Sydney crowd who booed every hard knock.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard top scored with 60 from 62.
PERFECT PRECISION
In the history of Super Netball, there has never been a shooter as accurate as Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. While the Fever spearhead has always been the gold standard when it comes to shot volume and often accuracy, in the first three rounds this year, she has risen to new heights, slotting 177 from 179 attempts. That’s an unprecedented 183 points from a possible 186 at 98% accuracy!
HOUSBY’S NEXT MILESTONE
After celebrating her 100th Super Netball match last week, Helen Housby celebrated her next major milestone at today’s match: her 150th National League match. This milestone comes after playing 49 matches in the UK national league and now, 101 in Australia.
VIXENS KEEP WINNING
Melbourne Vixens have continued their unbeaten start to the season as they proved too strong for the Queensland Firebirds in a bruising affair in front of a packed crowd of 8,639 at John Cain Arena.
The Vixens were required to use every ounce of their composure in the 68 to 55 victory with the Firebirds attempting to ruffle the feathers of the most experienced side in the competition.
The physicality of the Firebirds defenders led to Vixens goal shooter Sophie Garbin and goal attack Kiera Austin expressing their frustrations with the umpires at half time despite holding a ten goal lead at that point.
Garbin worked through the contact to be the most productive shooter and highest rated player on the court, shooting 49 of 57 attempts as she linked up beautifully with mid-courters Hannah Mundy and Kate Moloney.
Moloney was dominant from each centre pass, while Mundy shone in her first full game since returning from a quad injury by coming off the bench in last week’s drubbing of the Giants.
“It felt really good. Having the likes of Kip, Soph and Kate around me in attack makes it really easy,” Mundy said.
“Slotting in there, they were really helpful, really supportive and we were really definite with our moves.”
The Firebirds took it up to the Vixens in the second half by winning the third quarter - continuing their streak of doing so in every game this season despite only having one win from four matches - and getting within four goals in the final term.
The Vixens responded strongly however courtesy of an honest three quarter time assessment.
“I think there was a bit of perceived pressure,” Mundy said.
“We just came together and kind of said ‘it was our mistakes’ and we went back to what we’re good at. Basics, giving the ball and I’m really proud of us for getting out of that.”
MAGNIFICENT MUNDY
Mundy replaced Zara Walters (back injury) at Wing Attack and she grasped her return to the starting seven with both hands by being the highest rated player on the court in the first half.
She had the equal most goal assists on the court - alongside Firebirds wing attack Lara Dunkley - and received more centre passes than any other player.
Mundy’s strong showing contemplates selection for Vixens coach Simone McKinnis as she is blessed with many options.
VIXENS DEFENSIVE DUO SHINES
It was no coincidence that the Vixens were at their best when goal keeper Emily Mannix and goal defence Jo Weston were on court together.
Weston played her best game since coming back from a calf injury that disrupted her start to the season as her and Mannix double teamed Diamonds shooter Donnell Wallam.
Wallam shot 37 of 40 attempts but the Vixens pairs’ desperation was a highlight with them combining for nine deflections.
Mannix was the player of the match against the Giants last week and the Firebirds made a run of six unanswered goals when she went off the court in the third quarter.
T-BIRDS’ GIANT THUMPING
Adelaide Thunderbirds showed no mercy on Giants Netball, handing them a 69 to 49 thrashing, their fourth from as many games.
It leaves Giants as the only team in Super Netball yet to notch up a win, as coach Julie Fitzgerald struggles to balance on court experience with x-factor and youth, and find combinations that work.
Fitzgerald spoke during broadcast about her team’s resulting loss of confidence.
“I think mental toughness is a really big thing for us,” she said.
“We really tried to build on our confidence (during the off-season) and now we are struggling with that.”
Giants’ captain Jo Harten alluded to the issue in a team huddle during the game, as she implored her team to struggle on.
“Yes it sucks, but we fight for each other,” she said.
After a below par performance from the Giants’ shooters last week their task was no easier this week, against the league’s best defensive unit.
Despite her shooting heroics last week, Matisse Letherbarrow was yet again relegated to starting on the bench in favour of Harten’s experience.
While Harten lifted her form, finishing with a respectable 16 from 24, including two super shots, she was an unfamiliar sight on the sideline midway through the second quarter when she was benched for Letherbarrow.
The change didn’t have the desired effect, with the lead blowing out from six to 14 as a result.
Sophie Dwyer had no answers against the physicality of Matilda Garrett.
Visibly frustrated, she finished with 10 turnovers as she struggled to find any space away from the defenders.
Thunderbirds have been frugal in taking the two point shot so far this season, scoring only three compared to Giants’ 33.
They showed a renewed intent at attacking the long range shot in this game, with Georgie Horjus and Lucy Austin spending more time in the goal circle combining for four from seven super shots.
MVP Tayla Williams was a standout at centre for the Thunderbirds, efficient with the ball as she delivered 20 goal assists and added pressure in defence to finish with four gains.
The Giants uphill battle continues, as they wait for Maddie Hay to return from injury.
Their lack of a solid wing attack, with neither Sam Winders nor Chelsea Pitman able to deliver for a full 60 minutes, has added immense pressure to superstars Jamie-Lee Price and Harten who are only able to do so much when those around them aren’t performing.
NETBALL FOR ALL
As part of celebrating Inclusion Round, as well as both teams wearing Pride bibs, Thunderbirds had an additional focus on multiculturalism given the diversity among their playing group. Across the match, four international sides were represented with Sunshine Girls Shamera Sterling, Latanya Wilson, Romelda Aiken-George and Jodi-Ann Ward, Silver Fern Sam Winders, English Roses Jo Harten and Chelsea Pitman and Australian Diamonds Matilda Garrett, Jamie-Lee Price, Sophie Dwyer and Laura Scherian.
MAVS MAKE HISTORY
After losing two players during preseason, the Melbourne Mavericks have delivered an against-the-odds inaugural win and handed the early premiership favourites, Sunshine Coast Lightning, their third consecutive loss. The 65 to 64 margin wasn’t without drama, as three players went down with ankle injuries and a last-second goal secured the victory.
The visibly emotional players celebrated their first win in club history with tears, smiles and applause as delighted head coach Tracey Neville watched on.
Revealing that players have struggled with Covid during the week, she said, “The players have worked so hard for that performance.
“At the end, it was about heart and they definitely showed that on court.”
Mavericks trailed for most of the match, and after losing Eleanor Cardwell for part of the final term to a rolled ankle, they were able to turn what could have been a disaster into motivation to snaffle the lead with 36 seconds on the clock.
The first quarter see-sawed, with neither side able to pull away until Lightning took a slim lead into the break. They maintained a steady grip for much of the sixty minutes, never able to extend it while also never quite relinquishing it.
The final super shot period was a nailbiter as the Mavericks drew to within one goal. For three minutes, the scores were on a knife’s edge, with the threat of another overtime game looking likely. That is until youngster Ash Ervin forced a wayward pass, and Lightning was able to give themselves some breathing room.
The reprieve was short-lived as the Mavericks equalised via a Gabby Sinclair super shot, and the final nail in the coffin came from Shimona Jock who sunk an easy one-point goal off their centre pass.
Despite the solid start, Mavericks made a change for the second quarter, bringing on newly signed defender, Kristiana Manu’a, who remains the only player to have been suspended from Super Netball play.
For this match, Manu’a remained mostly under the umpire’s radar. However, her defensive partner, Kim Jenner continues to be the most penalised player for her side, finishing with a game high 18 offenses.
Mavericks’ centre Molly Jovic was a standout for her side, and took MVP honours after delivering 25 goal assists, two gains, six pickups and a very tidy two turnovers.
PROUD ROUND
Each year Super Netball celebrates Inclusion Round. For this match, Lightning and Mavericks used the Round to celebrate Pride and highlight that netball is an inclusive sport and a welcome place for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
As hosts, Lightning embraced the event with all the vibrancy of their rainbow bibs by having music from LGBTQIA allies playing all match, having activations in the fan zones and pride and trans flags on all assets.
The athletes were also welcomed onto the court via the rainbow guard of honour.
MANU’A A MAVERICK
More Coverage
This week, the Maverick’s announced Kristiana Manu’a as an injury replacement for Lauren Moore, who ruptured her ACL in preseason.
For the last two seasons, the former Giants’ athlete has plied her trade in the New Zealand ANZ Premiership, so she will undoubtedly bring more dogged experience to the defence end.
However, at 183cm tall, she does not bring height, which is something the Mavericks need to tackle the taller shooters of the competition.
Originally published as Super Netball: Vixens remain undefeated, Thunderbirds’ Giants thumping as Mavs make history
‘I’m appalled’: Netball drama takes ugly turn
A Triple M host has been called out on-air after describing the viral Australian men’s viral netball dance as “embarrassing”.
Netball dance sparks worst kind of reaction
The netball players at the centre of Australia’s latest viral video storm have spoken out as ugly details emerged.
‘Australian haka’ leaves fans stunned
The Australian men’s netball team has channelled its inner boy band and left onlookers floored with a wild pre-match dance.