Super Netball 2023: Sydney Swifts win 65-64 over West Coast Fever to set up Adelaide Thunderbirds grand final
The Swifts have claimed a spot in the Super Netball grand final, as rookie Sophie Fawns inspired an incredible comeback to topple the West Coast Fever in a preliminary final nailbiter.
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Led by the hot hand of rookie Sophie Fawns, NSW Swifts came from behind in the Super Netball preliminary final to end West Coast Fever’s hopes of a back-to-back title. The youngster banged on seven super shots across the game as the Swifts hit the front with just seconds to spare.
Down by four goals heading into the final term, Fawns entered the supershot period with composure and confidence beyond her years. Her heroics under the post have set up a grand final clash with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, the third time both teams have met in the last month.
The nail-biting finish was a stark contrast to most of the match where the Fever looked in control, and the Swifts looked rattled.
Swifts’ coach Briony Akle was proud of her side’s ability to fight back under pressure.
Speaking after the game she said, “It was about being calm, and working to the circle, and not getting drawn into the pressure of the opposition.”
After a messy performance in last week’s loss against the Thunderbirds, the Swifts put out a more clinical performance. They cleaned up their errors, but penalties were a massive issue as they gave away 78: standing out of play far too often. In contrast Fever were far more disciplined with just 50.
Jhaniele Fowler rewarded her defenders’ efforts with a rock-solid performance under the post. Playing in her 150th national league game, the Fever superstar finished with 54 of 56 as she was provided with silver service by Alice Teague-Neeld.
As Fever edged ahead, Swifts’ coach Briony Akle was quick to turn to her bench. She brought on tall youngster Teigan O’Shannassy in an attempt to quieten Fowler, and Fawns in each super shot period.
Speaking after the match, Swift’s co-captain, Maddy Proud confirmed her utter faith in the youngster.
“To have the ball in Fawns’ hands, as cool as a cucumber, I had so much confidence in her,” she said.
While Housby was busy out the front and finished with MVP honours, her usual ice-cold composure deserted her as her radar faltered under pressure. Generally the most accurate long range shooter in the competition, the English Rose sunk just three of her nine shots from distance.
Both sides ran goal for goal for much of the third term, with immaculate ball handling making defensive stops hard to come by. Swifts struggled to break down Fever’s passing game as they came up with just six gains across four quarters.
However, led by Courtney Bruce, Fever’s defenders piled on the pressure. Whenever the game tightened up, Bruce came up with a massive stop to turn the tide back in Fever’s favour. Her 12 gains weren’t enough however, as the double pronged super shot threat from Swifts gave them the edge in the final moments.
It was a disappointing exit for Fever, who once again crumbled in the fourth quarter, and whose cause wasn’t aided by Sasha Glasgow who played most of the game with an injury.
SUPER SHOT SPECIALISTS
The preliminary final boasted the two best long range shooters in the game - Helen Housby and Sasha Glasgow. Housby has led the way with 86 super shots for the season, compared to Glasgow’s 73, but has also played an extra 44 minutes of game time. Their accuracy is also exceptional, with Housby sitting on 68 per cent, and Glasgow on 63.
AFRICAN BORN ARYANG
Australia’s first African born Diamond will head to the World Cup, to be held in Cape Town, later this month. Sunday Aryang’s parents fled civil war in Ethiopia to give their children a better life down under. All four children excel at sport, with Aryang’s younger sister Ruth a training partner for West Coast Fever and national junior squad member. A rising defensive star, Ruth’s progress was temporarily halted by a long term knee injury last year.
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Originally published as Super Netball 2023: Sydney Swifts win 65-64 over West Coast Fever to set up Adelaide Thunderbirds grand final
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