The NSW Swifts may be top of the Suncorp Super Netball table after 9 rounds but the games don't get any easier with a clash against the reigning champion Melbourne Vixens looming on Saturday (3pm AET).
The Victorians haven't had their greatest season so far, winning two from eight games, but last weekend's stunning victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning has certainly put the Swifts on notice.
Last time the sides met was in Round 3 when the Swifts won 55-43 in Sydney but the Vixens have been on an upward trajectory recently.
Not helped by the retirements of former Swift Caitlin Thwaites and fellow shooter Tegan Philip after last year's Premiership campaign - and a season-ending injury to star midcourter Liz Watson - the champions will be a different force on their home turf.
The Swifts have endured a turbulent time in recent weeks, moving from NSW to Queensland and then relocating to Victoria, but last Saturday's victory over the previously unbeaten Fever has given the six-time Premiers renewed confidence.
That said, Akle is aware of her side's tendency to switch off after emotional wins.
"Last week due to the hugely disrupted build up and quarantine issues I think it really galvanised us as a group and everyone stood up and held their never against Fever," she said.
"But we need all of that again this week because the Vixens showed against Lightning that their season is still very much alive and their championship DNA hasn't gone anywhere.
"We had a big emotional win against the Giants a few rounds ago and then backed it up with our worst performance against Adelaide so we know we've got to bring everything on Saturday.
"The Vixens are the current Premiers and had a lot of changes in the off-season but their defence remains as strong as ever and Mwai Kumwenda is one of the classiest attackers in the league.
"Kate Moloney has always been a force in the midcourt so we cannot let any standards slip.
"We are playing for everyone back in Sydney at the moment and given we're in the lucky position to keep our season going down here in Melbourne the onus is on us to perform."
As ever the teams will be contesting the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup which is decided on the aggregate score of the sides' two regular season clashes.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and on Telstra's Netball Live App.
Match Notes
- When the teams last met in Round 3 the Swifts defeated the Vixens 55-43 in Sydney.
- In 10 previous Suncorp Super Netball meetings the Vixens have won five matches, the Swifts four and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts and Vixens have met 29 times across the former trans-Tasman Championship ANZ Championship and Super Netball. The Swifts have 17 wins, the Vixens 11 and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts are coming off a 66-65 win over the previous undefeated Fever in Melbourne in Round 9.
- The Swifts sit at the top of the Suncorp Super Netball ladder with six wins and three losses.
- The Swifts, Giants and Lightning have sat inside the Super Netball Top Four after each round this season.
- The Vixens are coming off a 55-53 victory over the Lightning in Round 9 and sit at the bottom of the ladder with just two wins from their eight matches this season.
- Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud played her 100th National League match against the Fever in Round 9. Proud played 44 matches in the former Trans-Tasman competition and has played 56 in Suncorp Super Netball since 2017.
- Sarah Klau is the only Swifts player to have played in all 69 Suncorp Super Netball matches since 2017.
- The Swifts have won four of their past five matches. Their only loss a 53-58 loss to the Thunderbirds in Adelaide in Round 7.
- The Swifts' best quarter is their second have won six, lost two and drawn one quarter, while their worst quarters are their third and fourth have won three and lost six in each.
