The NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds renew one of the longest and most evenly balanced rivalries in Australian netball when they meet in Round 1 of the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season on Saturday in Adelaide.
Their most recent clash came in Round 8 last season, where the Swifts edged out the Thunderbirds 66 - 64 in Sydney in a tight encounter between the foundation clubs.
Across the Super Netball era the Swifts hold a narrow advantage, winning 12 of the 20 meetings, with the Thunderbirds claiming six victories and two matches ending in draws.
Since 1997 the teams have met 73 times with the Swifts claiming 36 wins, the Thunderbirds 35 and there have been two draws.
“It’s always a great contest when we come up against the Thunderbirds,” Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle said.
“There’s a lot of history between the two clubs and the games are almost always tight. They’re a quality side and you know when you play them, you’re going to have to work for every ball and every goal. It’s the kind of challenge we want in Round 1.”
Akle also paid tribute to Swifts captain Maddy Turner, who is set to play her 150th national league match in the season opener.
“Maddy reaching 150 games is a huge milestone and it couldn’t happen to a better person,” Akle said.
“She’s been the heart of this club for a long time now. The way she leads, the professionalism she brings every single day and the standards she sets for the group are incredible.”
“She’s someone the whole team looks up to. To have played every one of those games for the Swifts says a lot about her loyalty and what this club means to her.
“We’re really proud of her and hopefully we can make it a special night for her as well.”
Both teams enter the 2026 season with notable squad changes.
Grace Whyte, Tayla Fraser and returning midcourter Maddy Proud join the contracted list, with Sophie Fawns, Verity Simmonds and Allie Smith departing. Proud returns after missing the 2025 season on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter Lily, while Fraser returns after two years with the Mavericks.
The Swifts will also feature former Silver Fern Gina Crampton, who replaces Paige Hadley who is currently on maternity leave. Crampton brings a wealth of experience with 70 international caps and 152 first-class matches across the Southern Steel, Stars and Giants.
The match will take place at 7pm (AEST) on Saturday 14 March at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. NSW Swifts fans can watch from the comfort of their home on Kayo Sports or Foxtel.
Swifts Preliminary Team List: Grace Nweke, Helen Housby, Grace Whyte, Gina Crampton, Tayla Fraser, Maddy Proud, Sharni Lambden, Maddy Turner, Sarah Klau, Teigan O’Shannassy.
Key Statistics:
- The Thunderbirds and Swifts have met on 20 occasions in Super Netball, the Swifts lead with 12 wins, six losses and two draws.
- When the teams last met in Round 8 last year the Swifts defeated the Thunderbirds 66-64 in Sydney.
- Swifts captain Maddy Turner will play her 150th match in round one against the Thunderbirds. Turner has played all 149 matches prior to round one in 2026 for the Swifts. 17 in the ANZ Championship in 2016 and 132 in Super Netball between 2017 and 2025.
- Gina Crampton joins the Swifts in 2026 after being contracted to the Giants in 2025 but missing the season due to pregnancy and giving birth to her first child Reggie. Crampton has played 70 tests for the Silver Ferns (#164) and 152 national league matches for the Southern Steel, Stars and Giants.
- Maddy Proud returns to the Swifts for the 2026 season missing 2025 on maternity leave, giving birth to her first child, Lily.
- Both the Swifts and Thunderbrids are celebrating 30 Years of National League Netball.
- Since 1997 the teams have met 73 times with the Swifts claiming 36 wins, the Thunderbirds 35 and there have been two draws.
- The Swifts lead the National League Premiership Honours list with seven titles, while the Thunderbirds have six.
