The stage is set for one of the biggest clashes of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season so far, as the NSW Swifts prepare to take on defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds in a Round 3 blockbuster that pits firepower against finesse in the most dramatic way.
At the heart of it all? A must-watch matchup between towering Swifts goal shooter Grace Nweke and Thunderbirds superstar defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey – two of the most athletic and dominant players in the game.
“Unbelievable matchup. I think they're probably the two most athletic goal shooter and goalkeeper in the league so yeah to see them kind of go up against each other is super special,” said Swifts goal attack Helen Housby.
“I'm quite excited to see the GG (Grace Nweke) matchup on Shamera. I think that's going to be a blockbuster.”
While the Thunderbirds are chasing a historic three-peat, the Swifts are determined to end Adelaide’s recent dominance – having notched five consecutive wins over the Swifts, including the 2023 semi-final and Grand Final.
“I'm really excited. I think it's always a tough game when you play Adelaide and especially their defence – we know that they're super strong,” Housby said.
“They have been super dominant over the last few years but we're looking to try and stop that three peat. We've done that before when we stopped Lightning back in 2019.”
Housby, one of the league’s smartest and most experienced attackers, knows exactly what the Swifts are up against when facing the world-renowned Thunderbirds defensive trio of Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Matilda Garrett.
“For me it turns into a brain game and I like trying to figure out where the gaps are and that's something that we've been trying to work on in training this week,” she said.
“Whoever's in their super range, they’ve got Shamera, Latanya, Matilda, all super range, all super tall.”
And when it comes to Sterling-Humphrey in particular?
“I think if you look at Shamera, her ability to cover space is probably unmatched in the league. And I think her springiness, the way she can match the shots – they kind of work together and kind of hunt around that in the defensive third. And it is really difficult to stop.”
But finding those moments of magic is what Housby thrives on.
“But when you do stop them and when you do find the gaps, it does feel quite special in the way that you play the game.”
With a new-look squad in 2025, the Swifts are approaching the challenge with a renewed sense of purpose.
“We've got a new team, we've got new players and we are going into this game with a fresh mindset.”
And while Nweke and Sterling-Humphrey are both international stars, even Housby admits we haven’t seen this matchup in full flight before.
“I was talking to G (Nweke) and it's not that often that New Zealand play Jamaica in international games. They haven't really had that many matchups against each other and outside of a World Cup – maybe like 30 minutes here and there – so I'm excited to see what it looks like for a 60 minutes.”
“I'd like GG against anyone in the league – she's very dominant in the air. I think it's going to be great, a really fun game to watch.”
Don’t Miss It
Swifts v Thunderbirds
Round 3, Suncorp Super Netball
4pm, Sunday 20 April 25
Watch on Foxtel, Kayo and Binge
This is one for the fans. This is one for the highlights reel. And for 60 minutes, the centre of the netball world will be Grace v Shamera. Buckle up.
Swifts Preliminary Team List:
Paige Hadley, Helen Housby, Sarah Klau, Sharni Lambden, Grace Nweke, Teigan O’Shannassy, Verity Simmons*, Allie Smith, Maddy Turner, Grace Whyte.
*Permanent Replacement Player
NSW Swifts
