NSW Swifts beaten by Melbourne Vixens on day of public displays of solidarity by netballers

THE NSW Swifts have ended a horrendous run of matches against top four teams without a victory but their pride still intact on a day netballers continued public displays of solidarity.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

less than 2 min read

April 24, 2017 - 11:18AM

Liz Watson of the Vixens and Maddy Proud of the Swifts during their clash in Sydney. Pic: Brett Costello

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THE NSW Swifts have ended a horrendous run of matches against top four teams without a victory but their pride still intact on a day netballers continued public displays of solidarity.

The Melbourne Vixens defeated the rebuilding Swifts team 64-52 in the second match of a NSW double header on Sunday which attracted a crowd of 10,571.

And like the Giants and Magpies who had played earlier, the Swifts and Vixens players all stood together for a minute at the start of the game to show solidarity in the wake of the Players Association threatening strike action if former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams was not re-elected to the Netball Australia board.

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Emily Keenan of the Swifts crashes into the tables courtside. Picture: Brett Costello

While Harby-Williams failed to garner the votes required on Friday, players eventually opted against industrial action, instead deciding to show their unity with the simple pre-match gesture of a group hug.

“We are so strong. We are on the same page,” said Diamonds and Magpies defender Sharni Layton said.

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“We were pretty devastated and disappointed with netball as a sport and what we had to deal with this week.”

It is still unknown if players will take further action in upcoming Super Netball matches.

The youngest and least experienced team in Super Netball led briefly in the first half on Sunday, before the highly-touted Vixens side took control.

Mwai Kumwenda leaping high during the Vixens’ 64-52 win. Picture: Brett Costello

There was no replay of the extraordinary 59-59 draw eked out in the first half of the season with the Vixens outplaying the Swifts across the court.

Over the past five weeks, the Swifts have faced the Magpies, the Giants — who suffered only their second loss of the season in the first game on Sunday — the Lightning and the Vixens.

Beating any of the top four teams on the Super Netball ladder was a tough ask but the Swifts poured heart and soul into each of their challenges.

“The Vixens are showing some serious form. They are getting quite ruthless,” Swifts coach Rob Wright said after the game.

Missing from the round nine game in Sydney was Swifts midcourter Paige Hadley who injured her knee two weeks ago.