The NSW Swifts have been dealt a double blow ahead of Sunday’s must-win Suncorp Super Netball Round 14 clash with the Queensland Firebirds.
Head coach Briony Akle and defender Teigan O’Shannassy will miss the final game of the regular season due to COVID protocols with assistant coach Bec Bulley set to take charge at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday.
QBE Swifts Academy athlete Dakota Thomas has been elevated to the game-day squad for the must-win game, with the Newcastle native set to make her elite debut if she takes the court.
The defending Premiers are still in the hunt for Finals netball with one round to play, however, they must win and hope other results go their way if their push for three titles in four years is to stay on track.
The Swifts and Firebirds are in a four-way battle for the last Finals spot alongside the Collingwood Magpies – who currently sit fourth – and the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Should both the Swifts and Thunderbirds win their respective Rd14 games, and the Magpies lose to the Minor Premier Vixens on Monday, the team with the best goal percentage of the three will qualify for Finals.
Sunday’s game is on track to be a sell-out with almost 8,000 tickets already sold
