Sunday’s clash with the Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena carries weight that goes well beyond four competition points.
As part of Suncorp Super Netball’s First Nations Round, the Swifts will take to the court wearing a design by proud Yuin woman Rheanna Lotter. The artwork centres on the players themselves and the unseen support systems that surround them, carrying the message that no player stands alone.
After their Round 11 loss to the reigning champion Melbourne Vixens, Briony Akle says that the team still has fight in them.
“We have had a big core of our group’s spine out this season, but we have done well to keep in the fight. We will continue to fight and stay in it too”, she said.
The Swifts struggled to adapt in the moment in Melbourne, but Akle says they know what they are going to work on heading into Sunday’s clash with the Queensland Firebirds.
“We need to adapt faster, work on our physicality and keep our defensive pressure throughout the court," Akle said.
"We haven’t been nailing our full-court transition and heading into Round 12, we will really focus on treasuring that ball whenever we have it.”
Captain Maddy Turner said that coming off the last couple of wins this season, the team still want to lead into Round 12 with the same passion.
“We still really want to lead in with that confidence. When confidence drops, it is really hard to generate flow and get that winning feeling back, almost like a knock-on effect.
"As a team, we are still ready to grind it out and take it up a gear.”
After returning from maternity leave, Paige Hadley is already back to making moves on the court. In limited minutes, Hadley has made every moment count.
“It is great to have her back, she has been leading the way she does in the attack end,” Akle said.
“Ultimately, we have had too many turnovers and too many unforced errors, and this week we are working hard and will turn up like we have week after week.”
The Swifts take on the Firebirds in First Nations Round this Sunday 31 May at 2pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
MATCH NOTES:
When the teams last met in Round 6 the Firebirds defeated the Swifts 77-66 in Brisbane.
The Swifts lead the Firebirds with 12 wins to seven in 19 previous Super Netball meetings since 2017.
Nine of the 19 previous meetings between the teams have been decided by 4-goals or less and two of those after extra time.
The Swifts and Firebirds have met 63 times across the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and Super Netball and the Swifts have won 40 matches, the Firebirds 22 and there has been one draw.
The Swifts and Firebirds have met in Sydney on eight previous occasions in Super Netball and the Swifts have won six and the Firebirds two.
