Super Netball 2023: Vixens win local derby after the siren in controversial finish, Magpies coach fumes
The Vixens have hunted down the Magpies after an umpiring error left a coach seething, while West Coast Fever has traded blows with the Giants in an epic duel. Full round wrap.
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The Melbourne Vixens bounced back from their Round 1 loss in emphatic fashion, taking a win and cross-town bragging rights in the Melbourne Derby. Trailing the Collingwood Magpies all game, it was the heroics of shooter and MVP Mwai Kumwenda, who sealed the one point win with a two pointer after the siren.
However, an umpiring error gave the Vixens two consecutive centre passes in the late stages of the fourth quarter. On the sidelines, Magpies coach Nicole Richardson was justifiably furious.
Speaking post match, she expressed her frustrations. “What happened in the last minute and a half is an absolute fiasco. You cannot have a result like that. This is an elite level competition. You have an automated scoreboard that tells you whose centre pass it is.
“You have a bench who knows exactly whose centrepass it is, but the bench do not have the power to do anything about it. That has cost us the game and that is why I am angry.
“Sophie (Garbin) addressed it. I then got up and addressed it. I was basically ignored. They just wanted to finish the game and we wanted to bring it to their attention then and there in the moment of the game and they didn’t want to listen to us and the game continued.”
“We have been completely robbed because we would have had an opportunity to go two goals up or an opportunity to starve them of the ball and take some time off the clock. And they shot after the siren anyway.”
Penalties were a great concern for both sides, with a total of 141 called for the match.
During a time out, Magpies coach Nicole Richardson asked her side to step back from their opponents, and avoid the whistle. While they adjusted for a small period, the instruction didn’t stick.
In the closing minutes of the first half the umpires had had enough of the Magpies’ physicality issuing a caution to Magpies centre Molly Jovic for her persistent contact. The penalty carried with it a command to tidy up.
During the half time break, Magpies co-captain Ash Brazill was seen chatting to the umpires. In commentary it was confirmed that the chat was about the amount of whistle her side was receiving.
Controversially, Coach Richardson commented on the ‘two different ends’ of the umpiring with some would-be penalties let go at one end, but called at the other.
With the scores drawing closer in the final minutes of the game, Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin asked for, and received, a ‘license to shoot’ from range. With scores level, goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda embraced the order and under immense pressure from three defenders, calmly slotted a match winning super shot.
Post match, Kumwenda said of the shot, “I was thinking, it was a tough one today, we are losing, I must shoot this. It was awesome.”
As yet, it’s unknown whether the result will stand due to the centre pass controversy, but what is certain is that a much needed investigation will take place.
CONCUSSION CONVERSATIONS
Molly Jovic received a knock to the head in the second quarter, but play wasn’t halted for concussion assessment. It’s a decision that may come under scrutiny, given recent focus on the issue.
MELBOURNE DERBY
State rivalries are always hotly contested, particularly when teams are battling on the same home court. While this match was technically a Magpies home game, the crowd appeared balanced between the two Melbourne-based teams which begs the question: can it really be classed as a home game when the crowd backs your opposition too?
Fever hold off Giants in thriller
-Jenny Sinclair
In a supershot superfest, West Coast Fever traded blows with the Giants, but held their nerve to take out a one point nail biter. It was a scintillating match between the two arch rivals, and could have gone either way until the last second.
In a theme that ran throughout the match, Fever crafted a lead each quarter, only to see it frustratingly reeled in by the Giants’ shooters long range prowess.
With scores level in the early stages of the match, it took until the second quarter for Fever to break their opponent’s shackles. With his side out by 10 points, Fever coach Dan Ryan called a time out, and directed his troops to slow the tempo of the game. The move backfired however, when four successive supershots by Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer blew the margin to pieces.
Coming out of the half time break, Giants’ coach Julie Fitzgerald rued what she described as some silly errors and a lack of discipline by her side.
Speaking with Fox commentary, she said, “I was happy with the fightback, but we had five or seven minutes in there where we didn’t play as well as we could have.”
Fever’s full court defence allowed their opponent’s little breathing room, but they were ultimately unable to keep the Giants out of supershot range across the match. Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer were ice cool at the post, putting up 15 supershots to drag back leads that blew out as far as 15 points at times.
The final quarter was a nail biter, as Giants once again reduced the deficit to level pegging. Having snuck ahead by just one, Fever’s wing defence Jess Anstiss pulled in an intercept on the death knock to close out the match.
Shooting accuracy proved the ultimate difference between the two teams, with Fever hitting 96 per cent to the Giants’ 83. Jhaniele Fowler once again led the way for Fever, shooting 59 goals in her second perfect outing, and providing a rock steady presence under the post.
Giants’ coach Fitzgerald was pleased with her side’s improvement from last week, but noted a costly loss of composure in the second quarter.
“We really let ourselves down a bit, but we can rectify that,” she said in a post match interview.
“I’m really, really proud of the effort, and the difference from last week, if we can keep building we showed some really good signs.”
It’s been a strong start to Fever’s title defence, but while the Giants’ lifeboats aren’t out yet, they will be hoping for some calmer waters ahead.
HAY THERE/BALANCING ACT
Wing attack Maddie Hay made a much needed return from severe bone bruising to her knee, to celebrate her 50th national league match. However, the make-up of the Giants’ roster is still perhaps cause for concern. All four midcourters are originally wing defenders, with Jamie-Lee Price and Hay converted into attacking options. So if injury strikes the forward line, as it has done recently, cracks can appear in the Giants’ offence.
FLAWLESS FOWLER
Long touted as the best goal shooter in the world, five time Super Netball MVP Jhaniele Fowler continued her impressive start to the season. Across two games, the nerveless Jamaican has shot 114 goals at 100 per cent accuracy.
YOUTH GROUP
Giants’ coach Julie Fitzgerald has built a young roster around her experienced spine of Harten, Jamie-Lee Price and April Brandley. Her “kids” – four of them around 21 years of age – are all standing up in the world’s best netball cauldron.
Farcical scenes as match abandoned at halftime
In the most bizarre Super Netball game ever, the Round 2 NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds game was abandoned due to technical issues.
After battling against court surface problems, resulting in a delayed match start, play was further pushed back after lighting issues arose during half time at Netball SA Stadium.
With both teams sitting on 25 points, and the court still in semi-darkness after 20 minutes, the match was declared abandoned having exceeded the allowable 120 minute period.
As a result, the match ended in a stalemate.
The game was first delayed by an hour, Netball Australia having deemed the court unsafe due to slippery decals. Signage and sponsorship stickers were removed, and the court washed and buffed before players were allowed on court.
Both teams trained on the court in the 24 hours leading up to the match, and it is unclear when the issue was identified and why they waited until the eleventh hour to rectify it. Netball Australia Head of Integrity, Nicole Malcher was at the match to oversee proceedings.
“We identified earlier today that the court surface needed a little more work so we have delayed the start of play to allow that work to take place” she said in a pre game interview.
As if one technical issue wasn’t enough, at half time yet another problem arose – this time with lighting. With teams still in the change rooms on a prolonged break, the stadium was illuminated exclusively by pink spotlights and torches, as management tried to rectify the issue so play could resume.
However, given the match would have exceeded the 120 minute allowable time frame, it had to be abandoned, called a draw, and two points allocated to each team.
Both sides expressed their disappointment at being unable to play to a result, and it certainly wasn’t the way expatriate South Australian, and current Swift, Sarah Klau would have wanted to celebrate her 100th game.
Speaking post match, Swifts’ goal attack Helen Housby said, “It’s so frustrating honestly, no one likes to have a draw, even if you play 60 minutes, but not to even have the opportunity to win the game, it is really sad and there were some emotions in the changing room.”
Swifts coach Briony Akle also spoke to the unusual scenario
“I don’t know how to sum this day up, from showing up to slippery decals, then [being sent home at half time]. But at the end of the day, in 2021 we won a premiership through adversity [so we won’t let it phase us” she said after the match.
The last time a match was abandoned at this level was back in 2008, when West Coast Fever had issues with a leaking roof in Perth.
— Adam Hoskins (@hosko) March 25, 2023
Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich was at today’s match
“I don’t know if it was a venue issue, but obviously you want to have back up systems that will allow matches to play out or so that games can be replayed, and we have such a tight turnaround that it’s not possible” she said post-match in regards to the technical issues.
It’s likely that further investigations will follow, to ensure the debacle isn’t repeated.
FULL CIRCLE SARAH KLAU
NSW Swifts goal keeper Sarah Klau notched up her 100th national game in a strange fashion, only being able to play out half the match. She made eight appearances for the Thunderbirds before making the bold move east in 2017 where she continues to reap rewards, having played 32 international matches for Diamonds and won Super Netball two premierships, with sights set firmly on a third.
ABANDONED AND EVEN
Games must be completed within a 120 minute timeslot, and due to the copious delays this was not achievable meaning the match had to be abandoned, a Super Netball first. Teams take two points each, perhaps the only positive of this is that the scores were tied at the time the match was called off.
Lacquer missing from some decals making it slippery, umpires and officials currently discussing. pic.twitter.com/Nga9v1BTkU
— Adam Hoskins (@hosko) March 25, 2023
Super netball star’s tearful admission
Giants captain Jo Harten has conceded there were tears when she was ruled out of last week’s season-opening Super Netball clash by strength and conditioning staff.
The English ironwoman had played every round of Super Netball since the competition inception in 2017, until being ruled outlast week despite a herculean effort to regain full fitness following pre-season knee surgery.
In the shooter’s absence – and that of midcourter Maddie Hay – the Giants suffered a drubbing at the hands of a Sunshine Coast Lightning team that finished with the wooden spoon last week.
Harten will line up against defending premiers West Coast Fever at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday, itching to get back on court but understanding her club was looking out for her long-term wellbeing.
“It was a joint decision with the S & C (strength and conditioning), coaching staff and everyone last week to hold me back for another week but I feel fully fit to go (on Sunday),” Harten said after training late this week.
“From my perspective, I’m 100 per cent looking forward to play on Sunday.
“We’ve got some strong minded people on our management team but I fully respect their opinions and they were looking out for me essentially.
“There were a few tears shed from me because I don’t like missing out on a game, I don’t like being the one to let the team down, but I fully back our team and their opinions and that’s why I sat out round 1.”
Coach Julie Fitzgerald said without the experience of players like Harten and Hay – who will play her 50th game on Sunday – her young side struggled to keep up with the Lightning.
“I like to win and I hate to lose but I think when we look at it (it was) a bit of a reality check, we had four kids 21 or under out there and they needed a bit more experience around them and it got to us in the end,” Fitzgerald said.
“But obviously we’re working on a lot of things that went wrong last weekend.
“I think we were both very, very disappointed last week when (Harten) didn’t get across the line (last week) but it’s a long season and we want to have her at her best for the whole season.”
The Giants eventually lost 66-50 to a resurgent Lightning, managing just nine goals in the second term in Harten’s absence.
Thing get little easier this week, with their opponents Fever coming off a win against the Melbourne Vixens in a high-quality grand final rematch.
Harten and Fitzgerald know they’re “up against it” on Sunday and need a 60-minute effort if they’re to cause an upset.
“They’re looking really sharp Fever, they’ve got firepower throughout the court and it’s going to be a full 60-minute performance if we want to match them on Sunday,” Harten said.
Her battle against Diamonds ‘keeper Courtney Bruce will set the tone for the match, with the Giants monstered in the circle last week.
Harten played a reduced role through the international season last year, essentially performing on one leg and will head into the game with little match play under her belt.
But her ability to direct play, as well as the return of Hay and the increased speed and crispness that is likely to give to the circle feeds will lift the Giants.
In Saturday’s clash, the Swifts are desperate to bounce back from last week’s painfully slow start against Collingwood when they face the in-form Thunderbirds in Adelaide.
Defender Sarah Klau will return to where it all began to play her 100th national league match and will play a key role in shutting down T-Birds’ import El Cardwell.
“On the court, she gets those clutch moments for us and we know we can rely on her in those tight moments,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said.
“Sarah’s played Cardwell several times on the international scene, so we know they’re a good match-up and it’ll be a good contest out there.”
South Australian product Klau, who played the first eight games of her national league career for the Thunderbirds before signing with the Swifts ahead of the first Super Netball season in 2017, said she was “humbled” to be racking up a century.
“It’s pretty crazy to think that my 100th game is where it all began in Adelaide through my junior years,” Klau said.
“It’s extremely special to play out there in front of my friends and family and to play my 100th game at this level is extremely special. Growing up I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d be making 100 games at this level so I’m very humbled and very proud at how far I’ve come.”
Akle said the team had some frank discussions after their 71-63 loss to the Pies last week and while the Thunderbirds deserved to be among the favourites for the competition this year, her team’s focus was firmly on improving their own performance.
“It certainly was very disappointing from a Swifts point of view in round 1 and the way we played in their first half was definitely not the Swifts way and we’ve had a very big training week with hard conversations around what we want our brand of netball to be.
“I certainly think we’ve rectified that at training this week and we’re ready for Thunderbirds.”
‘SOUND UP MYSELF’: NETBALL STAR’S RAPID RISE AFTER ACL
Kiera Austin doesn’t want to sound “up herself”.
A year after making her comeback from a knee reconstruction, Austin has already played a Super Netball grand final, made her Diamonds return and won a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
But she’s adamant her game can go to another level.
It’s not something the former Giant, turned Vixen, always thought possible after she ruptured her ACL in the opening match of the 2021 Super Netball season.
There have been tough times. But the enforced time on the sidelines reminded Austin of how precious playing the sport is to her and she almost has to pinch herself to think of how much she achieved following a quickfire recovery.
“I still pinch myself sometimes,” Austin said.
“It really does (seem surreal). I’ve spoken to a lot of people who have gone through (a knee reconstruction) and they say it’s a two-year injury.
“There’s still times where it flares up or it doesn’t feel as comfortable as a normal knee would feel like but it’s great to be back on the court.
“And you just pinch yourself when you think about what you’ve achieved. But it definitely takes an army to get you there and you’re really grateful for everyone around you in the process of it too.”
It certainly was a process for Austin, who changed clubs at the end of the 2021 season following the meteoric rise of her replacement at the Giants, young gun and now fellow Diamond, Sophie Dwyer, and moved states to link with the Vixens in Melbourne.
With one of netball’s pinnacle events — the Commonwealth Games – held last year and Diamonds spots on the line, Austin’s focus was just to get back on court and start playing.
“Coming back on to court, it was just, get back on court, get a feel for it again,” she said.
“You forget what it’s like to play in front of a crowd. We hadn’t played in front of crowds for two years (because of Covid restrictions).
“So there were a lot of different like aspects that I was super nervous about but even towards the end of the (Diamonds) tours at the end of last year and heading into this year, I can feel how relaxed I am.
“I’ve actually have had a pre-season, I’ve played in front of a crowd again, that (fear) has all subsided.
“I think this last year was just about coming back and this year is: ‘what can I actually do now?’ “
So heading into overdrive is a real prospect.
“I really do (think I can find another level). It’s so weird to sound up yourself and say that but I came back quite fast for me and for an ACL (recovery),” Austin said.
A solid, if not spectacular, showing in last week’s grand final rematch netted 24 points on 21-of-30 shooting, including three super shots.
But it was her defensive efforts and work in the midcourt that showed she was back.
Two gains, an intercept, a deflection resulting in a gain, two pick-ups, three rebounds and 19 centre pass receives show Austin’s importance in helping the Vixens promote the ball.
That will be crucial again in Sunday’s derby against the Magpies, arguably one of the most impressive winners last week following their 71-63 victory over the Swifts.
With the World Cup on the horizon this season, Austin will be under the microscope of Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich and her selectors.
But her thoughts are firmly on the Vixens and a possible premiership tilt in front of a home crowd given the grand final will be held in Melbourne.
“I’ve definitely had selections in the past where that’s all I thought about and you don’t get the results,” she said.
“What was so great for me last year was that I literally had no pressure on myself. I came back, I started playing again and that was the only goal I had and anything else that happened was a bonus.
“Winning a premiership is such a big achievement and that’s obviously going to be your first goal heading into a new season.
“It always does kind of sit in the back your head that you’d love to make a World Cup team but if you’re not selected, then it’s just a reason for you to work harder for that next cycle.
“But I try not to think about it too much.”
Originally published as Super Netball 2023: Vixens win local derby after the siren in controversial finish, Magpies coach fumes
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