The 2004 Swifts Premiership Team will be celebrated at the Club’s 2024 Heritage Round clash with the Queensland Firebirds on Sunday.
And the joy of that could prove to be timely given the Suncorp Super Netball Round 12 game will double as a must-win for the Swifts if they are to keep their Finals hopes alive.
Having had to reshuffle the team’s attack mid-season the Swifts haven’t managed to see out the type of contests they were winning earlier in the year.
Last Sunday’s second half against the ladder-leading Vixens in Melbourne was disappointing, however, there were positives for Briony Akle’s team which has had to contend with issues beyond their control in 2024.
Perhaps the standout performance last Sunday was that of temporary replacement player and Tongan international shooter Uneeq Palavi.
“Yes, we did do well for three quarters of that match (against the Vixens) but that final quarter was not good enough and we only scored about seven or eight goals,” Akle said.
“I certainly think we had moments that were really good and Uneeq, our new goal shooter, came into that.
“She’s Swift #109 and how she performed was a real positive.”
Having led the Swifts to three of the last five Grand Finals, and winning two, Akle and her team are in unfamiliar territory as they battle to keep their season alive.
But Akle is not looking to make excuses.
“I think for us there is no denying that the mid-season disruption is going to have an impact and an emotional toll," Akle added.
“But that doesn’t change the fact that we still have great players in this squad who are proven winners, and have proven it in this league many times.
“For us the aim is simple, focus on ourselves to try and deliver three wins and who knows, other results may well fall our way.
“Despite the distractions we’ve had, we’ve also got to accept that we haven’t been playing our best and we’ve got to dig deeper, especially for those 10,000-strong crowds that turn up for us.
“When you’ve lost a few in a row you forget to enjoy the little moments, which in turn lead to bigger moments that win you games.”
Akle was part of the Swifts team which claimed the second of the Club’s seven titles in 2004, and expressed her delight at this weekend's acknowledgement.
“The 2004 win truly put the Club on the sporting map,” Akle said.
“Good teams win one title but great teams back it up and winning the second title a few years after the first was a real validation for the group I played in.
“I retired from playing after that year and many of that group would go on to win more titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008, but that one-goal win over the Phoenix provided a belief that the Swifts are never out of a fight.
“While the Swifts of today are their own people and have achieved title wins of their own, I see a real parallel with them and the core group I was lucky enough to play with.
“Not only did we have exceptional players, there was a genuine care for each other and that’s always been a hallmark of the Swifts since.”
In team news Palavi has been retained as a Temporary Replacement Player and will join Helen Housby and Sophie Fawns in the Swifts attack.
MATCH DETAILS
- WHAT: Suncorp Super Netball Round 12 - Swifts v Firebirds
- WHEN: Sunday 30 June, 2pm AEST
- WHERE: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
- BROADCAST: Foxtel or LIVE & FREE on Kayo Sports
MATCH NOTES
- When the teams last met in Round 3 the Swifts defeated the Firebirds 77-73 in Brisbane.
- The teams have met 14 times in Suncorp Super Netball, the Swifts have won nine and the Firebirds five.
- The Swifts and Firebirds have met 59 times since 1997 across Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball with the Swifts winning 38 matches, the Firebirds 20 and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts have won six of the past seven meetings between the teams.
- The Swifts are coming off a 49-69 loss to the Vixens in Melbourne in Round 11
- The Firebirds are coming off a 78-70 win over the Fever in Round 11
- Uneeq Palavi made her debut for the Swifts in round 11 against the Vixens to become player number 109 since 1997.
