ANZ Championship 2016: Swifts hoping to extend winning run in netball opener with Vixens

THE NSW Swifts are passionate about extending their impressive three-game winning run against Melbourne Vixens in their ANZ Championship opener on Sunday

NSW Swifts Netball players Kaitlyn Bryce and Amy Sommerville. Pic: Tim Hunter.

AMY Sommerville wasn’t even with the NSW Swifts the last time they fell to the Melbourne Vixens in the ANZ Championship.

But that hasn’t stopped the 23-year-old shooter from getting fired up about trying to extend the Swifts’ winning run over the Vixens in their season opener tomorrow.

“We just can’t wait to get out there and take them on,’’ said Sommerville, one of four players in the Swifts’ squad hoping to make their club debuts.

Amy Sommerville is fired up to continue NSW’s winning run over the Vixens on Sunday. Pic: Tim Hunter.

“It’s always important to start the season well. It can create real momentum.’’

The Swifts have not fallen to the Vixens for more than two years and Sommerville said every member of the Swifts is “desperate’’ to get out on court to enjoy the benefits of a tough off-season.

“Everyone is just excited that it’s starting,’’ she said. “But we all want to start well. That’s very important to us.’’

Tomorrow’s game revives traditional netball rivalries and Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis believes her team’s match-up with the NSW Swifts will help the ANZ Championship season start “with a bang’’.

Prior to the ANZ Championships, NSW and Victorian teams dominated interstate clashes with two of the best players from each state, McKinnis and legendary Australian skipper Anne Sargeant.

Their feats are now honoured by the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup.

“It’s not exactly what you would wish for as the first game of the year,’’ McKinnis laughed.

“The Swifts are always dangerous and now they are at home as well.

“But it will be a good game. It will be tough. ’’

Simone McKinnis during her playing days.

Anne Sargeant. NSW and Melbourne now play for the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup.

The winner of the Cup is decided based on the results of the two home and away matches played between the NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens each season.

While the Swifts finished runner-up last year, the Vixens have shown good early season form by taking out the Sydney Shootout a fortnight ago.

They have, however, lost gun Tegan Philip to a season-ending ACL knee injury with stalwart Bianca Chatfield now retired.

“The Swifts are dangerous because they have such quality players,’’ McKinnis said.

“They have had changes but the core is still there.’’

Originally published as ANZ Championship 2016: Swifts hoping to extend winning run in netball opener with Vixens