Preview: Adelaide parked, bring on Firebirds at home

The NSW Swifts may have returned from Adelaide somewhat bemused by the events that led to the halftime abandonment of their Round 2 Suncorp Super Netball clash with the Thunderbirds, but head coach Briony Akle has been quick to turn the team’s attention to Sydney this weekend.

While neither side will have been pleased with the declaration of a 25-all draw, the two-time champion coach knows there is no time to dwell on something that’s out of their control.

“We control the controllable, our focus is the Firebirds and playing at home – finally,” Akle said ahead of Saturday’s Round 3 clash at Ken Rosewall Arena.

The Swifts head into their first home game of the year in search of a win, however, Akle was delighted with the response of her side in the 30 minutes she got to see in Adelaide.

Having failed to get out for first gear in Round 1 against Collingwood, it was the tonic the Swifts required.

“Despite the game being delayed our team came out and played like the champion group they are and kept a full house in Adelaide quiet for the majority of the time we were on court,” Akle said.

“I know the scores were level at halftime but we looked so much better than we did in Round 1 and that is the basic benchmark I want from the team going forward.

“We have not wasted time this week feeling sorry for ourselves, instead we are focusing on what the Firebirds are going to bring.

“They are desperate to get a result and have the team to get one, so failing to give Queensland due respect by letting what happened in Adelaide dominate our thoughts is a trap we’re not falling into.

“We’re coming home to play our first home game in 2023, that is all the motivation we need.”

In a beautiful subplot this weekend’s game, Romelda Aiken-George will play her 200th national league game against the Firebirds, the Club she played 197 of them for.

The Jamaican superstar has proven to be a popular addition to the Swifts setup, where she is currently a temporary replacement player for the rehabbing Sam Wallace.

“There are so few who reach this milestone and I hope everyone stands and applauds when she takes the court on Saturday,” Akle added.

“Players like Romelda are once-in-a-generation talents and don’t come around often.

“Despite everything that she’s achieved in the game, Romelda is still so eager to learn and do whatever role we ask of her.

“She is a credit not just to herself, but the whole game of netball. She, like many of her teammates past and present have blazed a trail for women in sport.

“I know she broke the hearts of many Swifts fans by winning Grand Finals against the Club in 2015 and 2016, but I also know they will embrace her as soon as she hits the court in our dress at Ken Rosewall Arena.”

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Foxtel (via Fox Sports) and Kayo Sports.

MATCH STATS

• When the teams last met in Round 14 last season the Swifts defeated the Firebirds 63-61 in Sydney.
• The teams have met 12 times in Suncorp Super Netball, the Swifts have won seven and the Firebirds five.
• The Swifts and Firebirds have met 56 times since 1997 across the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball with the Swifts winning 35 matches, the Firebirds 20 and there has been one draw.
• The Swifts have won three of the past four meetings between the teams.
• The teams have played five previous matches in Sydney in the Super Netball era and the Swifts have won four of the five including the past four.
• The Swifts have won both previous meetings at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney in 2021 and 2022.
• The Firebirds are coming off a 55-65 loss to the Lightning in Round 2 and sit at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder without a win.
• The Swifts are coming off a 25-25 abandoned match draw against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide in Round 2. The Swifts sit in sixth place on the ladder with a loss and a draw.
• Sarah Klau played her 100th National League match in Round 2 against the Thunderbirds.
• The Swifts haven’t won a second quarter in their past four Super Netball matches.
• Romelda Aiken-George will play her 200th National League match in Round 3. Aiken-George played 197 matches for the Firebirds between 2008 and 2021 before taking up a training partner role with the Swifts in 2023.
• Aiken-George was one of the original import players in the former Trans-Tasman ANZ Championships competition and is in her 15th season at National League level.