The Swifts may have had a rollercoaster 2024 campaign so far but one win would put them right back in contention for a playoff place as the race to the Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series heats up.
However, facing them this weekend is a Melbourne Vixens side that’s bang in form.
The Victorians, who the Swifts did the double over last year, have rebounded as the competition front-runners in 2024 and currently sit top of the SSN ladder.
Briony Akle’s Swifts have played three of the last five Grand Finals – winning two – but this season they are without a win since Round 6. Coincidentally, Round 6 was the last time that the Vixens dropped a game.
When the teams met in Round 5 it was a classic humdinger between two of Australian netball’s most celebrated Clubs, with the Vixens just getting home by two goals at Ken Rosewall Arena (61-59).
As it stands the Swifts sit just four points outside the top four meaning one win and a loss for either the Mavericks or Sunshine Coast Lighting could see them leapfrog back up the table.
“The Vixens are a fantastic side and have played brilliantly this year,” Akle said.
“But I have always liked how the Swifts match up against the Vixens. Both teams play a very similar game and the Clubs have a lot of respect for each other.
“The Vixens have brilliant ball movement up the court and are tenacious in defence.
“I said earlier this year that a Swifts and Vixens clash is always one that neutrals love to watch and I hope we can deliver another classic at John Cain Arena.
“There have been some things beyond our control that have gone against us this year, but that’s not an excuse. There are four rounds to play before Finals and we’re still in the hunt.”
Former Swift Sophie Garbin, who won Premierships with the Club in 2019 and 2021, is now plying her trade with the Melburnians and has been in a rich vein of form of late.
“We always have a soft spot for Garbo because of the great days we had with her at the Swifts,” Akle added.
“We always love to see people we care for do well when they leave, but on Sunday we’ll definitely have to put those friendships aside for 60 minutes.
“She’s a brilliant target for them in the circle and her partnership with Keira Austin has performed beautifully.
“But I also think their defence has been equally impressive. Emily Mannix is enjoying a renaissance at the back and her combination with Jo Weston caused us problems in Sydney.
“We’ve had to change up how we attack this year but the new methods are getting stronger as we go.”
The clash will also be the second game of the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup which the Swifts and Vixens contest each year. The Swifts are the current holders but having lost game one they will need to win on Sunday by at least two goals to retain the Cup in 2024.
TEAM UPDATE
The Swifts have called in Australian-born Tongan International Uneeq Palavi as a Temporary Replacement Player for the trip to Melbourne.
A specialist holding goal shooter, Palavi worked with Akle at last year’s Netball World Cup in South Africa, and has recently been a Training Partner with the Melbourne Mavericks.
2024 Rookie Athlete Grace Whyte drops out of the squad for this weekend.
MATCH DETAILS
- WHAT: Suncorp Super Netball Round 11 - Vixens v Swifts
- WHERE: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- WHEN: Sunday 23 June, 2024 - 2pm AEST
- BROADCAST: Foxtel or Watch Free on Kayo Sports
MATCH NOTES
- When the teams last met in Round 5 the Vixens defeated the Swifts 61-59 in Sydney.
- In 16 previous Suncorp Super Netball meetings the Vixens have won eight meetings, the Swifts seven and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts and Vixens have met 35 times across the former trans-Tasman ANZ Championship and Super Netball. The Swifts have 20 wins, the Vixens 14 and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts and Vixens have met six previous times in Melbourne and the Swifts have won three, the Vixens two and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts are coming off a 71-78 loss to the Fever in Perth in round 10 and have a record of three wins and seven losses to sit in sixth place on the ladder.
- The Vixens are coming off a 63-61 win over the Lightning in round 10 and have a record of nine wins and two losses and sit at the top of the ladder.
- Maddy Proud played her 100th match for the Swifts in round 10 to become the Swifts 13th Centurion since 1997.
- Since 2008 the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup has been contested by the Swifts and the Vixens and is decided based on the aggregate score of the teams' regular-season clashes each year. Should the score be level after two games, the holders of the Cup retain it for another year. To retain the Cup in 2024, the Swifts must win on Sunday by at least two goals.
- The Cup is named after two icons of Australian netball, Anne Sargeant OAM (NSW) and Simone McKinnis (Victoria). The Swifts have won it 10 times while the Vixens have claimed it six times so far.
