The NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning have been the two most successful clubs since the Suncorp Super Netball era of the National League started in 2017, with two Premierships apiece, but neither side contesting Finals last year means both will have extra fire underneath them when they clash on Sunday evening.
The Round 5 clash takes place at Sippy Downs (4pm NSW time) with the Swifts hoping a win can elevate them into the top-four for the first time this season.
Sunshine Coast enjoyed a good start to the year with wins over the Giants and Firebirds, but dropped their last two games against the Thunderbirds and Vixens meaning they sit just two points clear of NSW on the ladder.
It may only be Round 5 but Briony Akle is keen to see her side bounce back after the Swifts faded in the second half against the West Coast Fever on Easter Monday.
It was a game the Swifts looked like winning in the first half before a powerful third-quarter effort from the defending champions proved decisive as it put the seven-time Premiers in chase mode for the final 15.
The Swifts have banked one win, two losses and a draw so far this year but Akle feels her side should have far more reserves built up.
“This is a huge game and it’s one of the toughest places to go,” she said ahead of the trip to Sippy Downs.
“We’ve played a lot of great Finals clashes with the Lightning and the noise they get in that arena is pretty special so we’re braced for everything they’ll bring.”
Last time the sides played in Super Netball the Swifts left Queensland with the competition points but it was a titanic battle from start to finish.
The Queenslanders have the Diamonds pairing of Steph Wood and Cara Koenen up front, while world-class South African defender Karla Pretorius hasn’t missed a beat since returning from having her first child.
“We all know what a great player Steph Wood is,” Akle said. “Some of our crew know her very well from her time as a Swift and her play-making ability is among the finest in the world.
“Steph’s partnership with Cara has been a lynchpin for the Sunny Coast for a long time. Once they get in sync it’s a very hard combo to crack so we need to be on it from the first centre pass.
“Netball is a really simple game when you treasure possession and don’t put yourself in a position where you have to force passes. In my view Karla is the best defender in the world when it comes to coming out of nowhere to take an intercept.
“We don’t have eyes in the back of our heads so we need our players providing two options at every stage of the game.
“It means we have to be flat out for every minute, which isn’t easy, but that’s what it takes at this level.”
The game will be broadcast live on Foxtel (via Fox Sports) and Kayo Sports.
Match Notes
- When the teams last met in Round 10 last year the Swifts beat the Lightning 61-60 on the Sunshine Coast.
- In 14 previous meetings the Lightning lead with nine wins and the Swifts five.
- The past eight meetings between the teams the result has alternated.
- Ten of the 14 previous meetings between the Swifts and Lightning have been decided by seven goals or less. The average winning margin is 6.7 goals across the 14 meetings.
- The Swifts are coming off a 67-78 loss to the Fever in Sydney in Round 4 and sit in sixth place on the ladder with one win, a draw and two losses.
- The Lightning is coming off a 56-60 loss to the Vixens in Round 4 and have a record of two wins and two losses and sit in fourth place on the ladder.
- The Swifts are yet to win a second quarter across their opening four matches this season.
- The Lightning’s best quarter so far in 2023 is their first having won three and lost one. The Lightning haven’t won a second half quarter in their past three matches.
