Super Netball news, previews, tips: Firebirds hand the Swifts sixth loss in a row, Fever back on the winner’s list
The West Coast Fever are back on the winner’s list and have slammed the door shut on the Giants’ finals hopes after a thrilling come from behind win to close out round 12.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
West Coast Fever have recovered from their mid-season slump and returned to the winner’s list after a come-from-behind, three point defeat of Giants Netball in Perth. The victory keeps them within striking distance of the top two, and a precious double chance in the Super Netball finals. After trailing for much of the match, Fever looked like repeating last week’s shock loss but turned up in the second half to take the win, 68 to 65. The result has shut the door on the Giants’ finals hopes, leaving them anchored to the bottom of the ladder.
Giants’ coach Julie Fitzgerald acknowledged her side’s heartbreak and said lack of confidence played a role in the loss. She said, “I felt for most of the game we played really, really well, but we had a patch where we let it go. Won two quarters, drew one, and still came away without the points.
“We come out and really attack the game, but when a couple of things go wrong, we lose a little bit of confidence.”
In perhaps their strongest performance of the season, Giants led for more than half the match, and were on fire during the supershot period. The Perth team, who sit equal lowest for the number of intercepts taken this season, struggled to shut down the dynamic duo of Giants’ captain Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer. Both found their sweet spot from long range, Harten finishing with 35/39 including seven supershots, while Dwyer recorded 19/23 with four super shots.
In contrast, Fever nailed just one supershot at a dismal 12 per cent, forcing them to rely on their one point game to try and stay in touch. Their two point woes were compounded by an inability to stop the Giants in their tracks and create extra opportunities. Finishing with just two gains in the first half, although they eventually hit ten, the variable defensive impact is a troubling issue for Fever if they want to go deep into the finals.
The FEVER have reclaimed their spot on the winners' list with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the GIANTS at RAC Arena.
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) June 30, 2024
The GIANTS led comfortably at half-time, but the FEVER turned up the heat in the third quarter.
âœï¸: https://t.co/3gnjblAEyMpic.twitter.com/3MBQWRoVyP
Giants continued to press their advantage, extending their lead in the second quarter to break away by eight points at half time. They were able to bump up their lowly season average of 66 per cent centre pass conversion to 73, which helped their cause.
However, a raft of changes to Fever’s line for the second half helped momentum swing back their way, igniting the huge crowd as they completed an 11 point turnaround to hit the lead. In contrast, Giants, according to Fitzgerald, found different ways to lose the ball.
Desperate for the win, both sides scrambled for the ball in the last quarter. Placing her body on the line, Fever’s Kadie-Ann Dehaney was lucky not to be sent off again after a late challenge on Sam Winders. However, not even the Giants supershot prowess could close the final gap, and Fever hung on for a nail biting win.
Jhaniele Fowler topscored with 55/59, while Fever’s Fran Williams had a stellar game in front of her family, who’d made the long trip from England to watch their daughter in action. Fever wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld took MVP honours with 36 goal assists and two pick ups, while Jamie-Lee Price dominated at centre for the Giants.
HOME RUN
Giants Netball have two very winnable games ahead of them against the Mavericks and Swifts to round out their season. It’s a tougher run home for Fever, who have a season-defining clash against ladder leaders Melbourne Vixens next week, followed by the Mavericks in Round 14. While unlikely, Fever could still finish as high as first, but can’t drop any lower than third.
DIAMOND WATCH
It’s been a rugged season for Giants’ Sophie Dwyer, who currently has more turnovers than any other player this season. In contrast, her teammate Jamie-Lee Price, and Fever’s Sunday Aryang have both had stellar seasons for their sides.
Swifts suffer worst ever losing streak
The NSW Swifts have slumped to their worst ever losing streak, after falling to the Queensland Firebirds by one point. With the Firebirds missing their powerhouse shooter Donnell Wallam through illness, Swifts had an opportunity to keep their Super Netball finals hopes alive, but now have lost six on the trot after the heartbreaking 60-61 point margin. After finishing with the minor premiership last year, and contesting the grand final, it’s a cruel fall from grace for the Swifts as they’ve had to deal with the fall out of losing strike shooter, Samantha Wallace-Joseph.
Despite an early eight goal lead to the Swifts, the majority of the game was separated by only three goals and it wasn’t until the last few seconds of the final quarter that a long range shot by the Firebirds’ Emily Moore was able to seal the narrow victory.
Speaking post match, Swifts coach Briony Akle was disappointed in the outcome but still proud of her team.
“I thought we had that, we were playing well enough to win until that last five minutes. We had our chances to win it. Last year when things were going our way we would’ve nailed those shots but it’s an indication of where we’ve been this season. But we played a lot better brand of netball than we have the last few weeks.”
After debuting last week, Tongan International Uneeq Palavi earned her first Super Netball start. The holding shooter provided a strong anchor for her side, finishing the match with 37/43 including a crowd pleasing lay up in the opening minutes.
Swifts made the most of their height advantage in the defensive circle, reeling in nine rebounds as the Firebirds shooters had difficulty finding the post over the rangy arms of the Swifts defenders.
Swifts shot out to an early seven goal lead, as Firebirds struggled to adjust to their new front line. But they found their groove in the second quarter, the Swifts’ defenders were caught two steps behind their speedy opposition, and their lead evaporated to just one at the main break.
Penalties have been a sticking point for the Swifts this season, being the most penalised team in the league. Against the Firebirds they were much cleaner in the contest, committing only 46 across the match allowing them to win clean ball and build pressure through the court.
Akle was pleased with her defenders’ adjustments. At half time she said, “You don’t want your players out of play. We have been a bit more disciplined and picking and choosing which balls to go for.”
The Swifts shooting circle capitalised on the hard work by their defenders, scoring off 71 per cent of their 14 gains. Teigan O’Shannassy was a standout against the tiring Firebirds shooting duo, finishing with nine gains and only ten penalties.
HERITAGE ROUND
NSW Swifts celebrated their annual Heritage Round, donning a revamped version of the yellow dress worn back when they were known as the Sydney Swifts during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Former players were in attendance to celebrate one of the most successful teams in netball, having won four premierships in yellow, and another three to date in the red dress.
FINAL CHANCE
The win for the Firebirds keeps their finals hopes alive by the slimmest of margins. They now sit one win outside the top four, but will be needing two big wins plus losses from both the Lightning and Mavericks if they are to make a finals appearance for the first time since 2018.
Mavs keep finals hopes alive in Lightning shock
Mavericks’ coach Tracey Neville and part-time goal attack Gabby Sinclair were the heroes of their come-from-behind one point margin over the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
In the 72-71 point victory in Glenorchy, Neville boosted her side with several massive sprays every time they slipped behind on the scoreboard, while Sinclair nailed a supershot in the dying moments of the game to send her side in front. While Mavericks will remain just outside the top four on percentage, their Super Netball finals door is ajar as they’ve now crept level on points with Lightning.
All was forgiven by Neville postmatch however, as she said, “I have so much love for this team but at other times they break my heart with the things they do. But they definitely have heart and soul and just kept in the game.”
The match was far from a perfect example of netball as both teams played with desperation to give themselves the best chance of playing finals. Sneaky tactics entered play and more than the usual amount of bodies ended up on the floorboards as players threw themselves at every loose ball. During the main break, Lightning captain Steph Fretwell had a chat with the umpires to query what could be done about the Mavericks’ off-the-ball physicality.
During the broadcast, Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds acknowledged the scrappy play. She said, “Yeah, I think it is a sign of two sides who know what’s on the line. You have to earn every single goal, so we’ll be looking to punish on the scoreboard when we get that ball.”
The mind games between the coaches continued throughout the game. Lightning regularly edged out to a small lead, and just as often Mavericks pulled it back, at which point Reynolds rolled on fresh legs with specific instructions.
In the third quarter, Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter was warned for dangerous play, and mere seconds later, Tayla Fraser was warned for arguing with the umpire. Unsurprisingly, coach Neville immediately called a timeout to settle her side. “Guys! You have to be disciplined. You cannot take this for free. Discipline in everything. Eyes on the prize. Come on!”
During the final term, Lightning upped the intensity, absorbing the pressure applied by the Mavericks. But, in scenes reminiscent of their Round 4 matchup a footwork call allowed the Mavericks to level and in the last few seconds, it was Gabby Sinclair who took the glory with a well-placed super shot to give them the victory.
MVP Tayla Fraser was in shock that she took the honours. After spending much of the season on the bench, the accolades were deserved as she was involved in everything taking 21 goal assists and one intercept.
Shimona Jok and Elle Cardwell were strong in the circle for the Mavericks both putting up nearly perfect scores, at 42/43 and 21/22, respectively.
For the Lightning, Liz Watson was nearly unstoppable as she notched 54 feeds and 33 centre receives. It will be a disappointing result for her side however, as their finals chances are now in jeopardy.
THE BRUTAL END
The Sunshine Coast Lightning have, arguably, the toughest run home of any Super Netball side as they are facing three back-to-back away games. The Queenslanders have only won two away games this season but will be hoping they can turn their Round 13 clash into a pseudo home game as it is ‘just down the road’ at Nissan Arena.
THUNDERBIDS’ WARNING
In Super Netball’s top of the table clash, the Adelaide Thunderbirds dismantled the Melbourne Vixens 73 to 58 in Adelaide. With just three rounds until finals commence, the Vixens looked to have one hand on the minor premiership. However, the Thunderbirds, with their superior percentage and easier run home, are now within striking distance of top place as they inflicted the Vixens first loss on the road.
Coach Simone McKinnis described her team as ‘super-disappointed’ but they will find ways to seek improvement.
“The loss is the loss and that stings, regardless of what is riding on it,” she said.
“But the other side of it is, the opportunity for great learnings and growth can come from it, and that’s the way we look at it.
In what many pundits predicted was a sneak preview of the Super Netball grand final, the Thunderbirds’ 15 point victory maintains their perfect record at home this season, giving them a confidence booster with the grand final to be held in Adelaide.
Neither side flinched during the early stages, playing aggressively in defence but giving up a few attacking errors.
Thunderbirds put their early nerves to bed in the second quarter, using smothering defence to create scoring opportunities as they shot out to a seven point lead.
They were led by Shamera Sterling-Humphrey who created havoc in the Vixens forward line to finish with nine gains and earn MVP honours.
An ankle injury to Lauren Frew saw the Thunderbirds have to shuffle their line, shifting playmaker Georgie Horjus forward into goal attack.
However, coach Tania Obst’s policy of rotating her line each game allowed them to adjust without too much difficulty, as they led by seven points at the main break.
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis made the huge move of benching her captain Kate Moloney at half time, seeking more punch in attack. She said that her side had been in panic mode. “There was disconnect. We were at a standstill too much and not doing the short and sharp and letting the ball go.”
With the Thunderbirds continuing to press their advantage, Moloney came back into wing defence, and a flurry of two pointers by the Vixens kept the margin within striking distance. However, Thunderbirds were having none of it, and pulled away to record a 15 point win.
With just six gains, Vixens biggest downfall was their inability to create opportunities for themselves. They were well short of the Thunderbirds 18, who have dominated this statistic all season.
Vixens youngster Zara Walters impressed in her Super Netball return after missing nine weeks with a back injury, while Thunderbird Romelda Aiken-George top scored with 47/53.
DIAMOND DAZZLE
With eight Diamonds squad members out on court, all eyes were on two of Australia’s newest inductees, Georgie Horjus and Hannah Mundy.
Both showed their versatility, playing across two positions. Mundy was subbed out early in the second quarter, after struggling for impact against Latanya Wilson - she later returned at centre but gave up seven turnovers.
Horjus fired immediately, controlling the Thunderbirds attack line and racking up 28 feeds and 28 centre pass receives, while also shooting 10/11 after her move into goal attack.
T-BIRDS A SUPER FORCE
They may not have a naming rights sponsor but the Adelaide Thunderbirds have continued to bolster their partnership portfolio in a deal that reflects not only the defending premiers’ rise but that of Super Netball.
The Thunderbirds on Thursday announced their top-of-the-table clash with the Melbourne Vixens would be part of “Trade Up Round”, the match celebrating the clubs new partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The CITB partnership came with great fanfare, the announcement trumpeted by South Australia’s Sports Minister Katrine Hilyard, CITB boss Holly Willcox, Netball SA and Adelaide Thunderbirds chief executive Bronwyn Klei and Diamonds defender Matilda Garrett.
CITB, who are promoting their campaign to encourage women to consider a career in the construction and building industry, are among four partners the Thunderbirds have signed this year.
Klei conceded it was disappointing not to have a naming rights partner on the back of a premiership but said the deal pointed to a continued traction for the club and the sport in South Australian in an atmosphere of growth overall for netball.
“We’ve been able to sign four partners this year, so really good,” Klei said.
“We’ve signed Westfield, we’ve signed Here For The Game, which is an anti gambling agency, we’ve signed Sixt car rentals, we just (this week) signed the Construction Industry Training Board and we’re still looking for like minded partners that really want to get on board and work with us to grow netball in this state.”
After struggling out of Covid and bailed out by the state government, the Thunderbirds’ recent growth has mirrored that of Super Netball overall to some extent.
As netball pushes past the million-participant mark and takes its place as not only the sport of choice for women and girls but one of the most popular in the country, the Thunderbirds are rising as a Super Netball force.
Long a grassroots power of the sport and a great producer of talent, South Australia’s national league program had staggered in the Super Netball era, with the club failing to even make the semi-finals until they broke into the playoffs last year, going on to win the premiership.
The T-Birds have a proud national league history, having won two Commonwealth Bank Trophy premierships (1998, 1999) and two more titles in the ANZ Championship era (2010, 2013).
The club had seemingly struggled during the Super Netball era but its recent success was a measure of strategies long in place, Klei said, and the club was positioned to reap the rewards.
Among victories this year is a permanent move out of outdated game-day facilities at Netball SA headquarters to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC), where the club is averaging crowds of almost 8500 per game this season.
“We definitely had a hard time during Covid and the government had to provide some financial assistance, so coming out of Covid was has definitely been a tough route for us but we’ve been doing a lot of work behind the scenes,” Klei said.
In a move described as a leg-up, not a handout, the Malinauskas Government has underwritten the Thunderbirds’ move to the AEC, allowing the club to make the jump without the risk of financial burden should they not meet break-even crowds.
That has not been an issue though, with fans flocking to see them play, just as they have across the league.
After 11 rounds, crowds were up 60,000 on the same time last year, while broadcast numbers across Kayo and Foxtel are also understood to have increased significantly.
The NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens have hung up the sold out sign at Ken Rosewall Arena and John Cain Arena respectively, while over in Perth, crowds of over 11,000 are becoming a regular occurrence.
Netball Australia’s controversial move to sell the grand final two years ago has paid dividends, with successive state governments stumping up for the right to host the decider.
It will be held in Adelaide this year, with Premier Peter Malinauskas jumping at the opportunity to host the game after attempting to have it moved to Adelaide at the eleventh hour last year when the T-Birds made the final.
Klei said competing in the same market - and season - as the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide power could be difficult, especially when companies decided to push their women’s sport sponsorship dollars towards their AFLW arms.
But she feels the tide turning.
“It feels bigger, it just feels like something’s turned the corner,” Klei said, noting the recent sellouts in Melbourne and Sydney and Perth’s record crowds.
“TV viewership is up, and then support for these teams, we’ve had some tournaments here this week at the stadium and these Thunderbirds walk in the door and they are mobbed, absolutely mobbed, and I think people are now recognising them in the street.
“It all just feels bigger and positive.”
MATCH PREVIEWS
SATURDAY
(all times AEST)
Thunderbirds v Vixens
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 5pm
Broadcast: Kayo and Foxtel
Umpires: Georgina Sulley-Beale and Nathan Begley
The top-of-the-table clash kickstarts a Super Saturday that will have a huge say in the top four and possibly the teams that get a double chance in the finals.
The Vixens beat the T-Birds by just one goal last time they met and the defending premiers will be determined to get one back on their home court.
Adelaide has gone from strength to strength this season and with Kate Eddy still under an injury cloud for the Vixens, the side could be vulnerable.
The defensive end is a known strength for the Thunderbirds and the battle between Shamera Sterling and Matilda Garrett and the Vixens’ Diamonds goalers Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin is worth the price of admission alone.
The victor could be determined in the midcourt, where Latanya Wilson is having a breakout season for the Thunderbirds, while Georgie Horjus is shining as a playmaker. If they can overcome the vaunted Vixens mids, they could win.
Mavericks v Lightning
MyState Bank Arena, Hobart, 7pm
Broadcast: Kayo, Foxtel and SEN
Umpires: Josh Bowring and Rachael Stebbings
This is pretty much the Mavericks’ last roll of the dice for the finals.
Beat the fourth-ranked Sunshine Coast and they will draw level on competition points, if not goal percentage.
Lose and they suddenly slip two games below the Lightning and their slim playoff hopes are lost.
Both have what look like winnable games in round 13 and tough tasks in their final fixture. There could be a thrilling run home.
On paper, the Lightning should win. But that’s been the case for the Coast plenty of times this season and it hasn’t got the job done.
The side seems to be coming good at the right time of the year but will face a test against a Mavericks side that will be determined to defy expectations and impress a new audience in its first foray into Tasmania as a club.
It could come down to the battle between the Mavericks shooters and the Lightning defence.
Ash Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe have been humming in the absence of Courtney Bruce, while the veteran Diamonds keeper is slowly getting game time back in her legs and loves nothing more than a challenge like the one she will face against England Roses goaler Eleanor Cardwell.
SUNDAY
Swifts v Firebirds
Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, 2pm
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, Foxtel and SEN
Umpires: Rachael Ayre and Tamara Buriani-Gennai
If the Firebirds turn up with the same determination and energy they had against the Fever in their shock victory last week they will beat the Swifts.
But that’s the thing about the Firebirds this season.
Coaching dramas or not, they have fallen way short on consistency, if not intensity and effort.
At their best, the Firebirds can challenge any other in the league. But like the proverbial girl with the curl, when they’re bad, they’re horrid.
Anything less than a competitive effort here would be a disappointment.
Their win last week lifted them from the bottom of the ladder and they head into this clash level on points with the Swifts, who continue to list badly.
There were some strong signs from the NSW side after the injection of Uneeq Palavi last week and with the Tongan international having another week in camp under her belt – rather than the three days she had before the clash against the Vixens – there’s likely to be greater connection with her fellow goalers and circle feeders.
With Donnell Wallam having a day out against the Fever last week, it’s a big challenge for her Diamonds teammate Sarah Klau and fellow tall Teigan O’Shannassy to limit her opportunities, while the Swifts middies will be doing all they can to prevent the ball from getting into the circle in the first place.
Fever v Giants
RAC Arena, Perth, 4pm
Broadcast: Kayo Freebies and Foxtel
Umpires: Bronwen Adams and Tayla Favell
On paper, this one looks like a gimme for the Fever, which will be smarting after its loss to the Firebirds in Brisbane last week.
The Giants fell back to the bottom of the ladder after their loss to the Lightning on the Sunshine Coast last week but they pushed the pre-season favourites to the limit, closing to within two points in the final quarter before the final margin blew out to five.
Moving the ball quickly and efficiently into the circle has been an issue all season for the Giants and there will be no let-up against a Fever unit that will apply plenty of pressure through Jess Anstiss, Kelsey Browne, Fran Williams and Sunday Aryang before the ball can get into the goalers.
Maddie Hay continues to make strides in her return from a hip issue and the Giants look more confident when she’s on the court.
When they are stagnant, there are opportunities to pick them off and with Jamie-Lee Price and Sophie Dwyer giving the ball up 13 times between them last week, they are likely to have been singled out for attention by Fever coach Dan Ryan and his staff, whose side could jump back into second by the end of the weekend if other results fall its way.
TIPS
Linda Pearce (32)
Thunderbirds, Lightning, Swifts, Fever.
Last week 3
Bianca Chatfield (30)
Vixens, Lightning, Firebirds, Fever.
Last week 3
Lisa Alexander (29)
Thunderbirds, Lightning, Swifts, Fever.
Last week 3
Nat Medhurst (29)
Thunderbirds, Lightning, Swifts, Fever.
Last week 3
Erin Smith (27)
Thunderbirds, Lightning, Firebirds, Fever.
Last week 3
Emma Greenwood (25)
Vixens, Lightning, Swifts, Fever.
Last week 3
More Coverage
Originally published as Super Netball news, previews, tips: Firebirds hand the Swifts sixth loss in a row, Fever back on the winner’s list
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.
Netball NZ has say on player eligibility, trans-Tasman future
With New Zealand star shooter bound for Super Netball, Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie discusses with REBECCA WILLIAMS national team player eligibility, trans-Tasman future and more.