The long-term rivalry between the NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds may have been reignited recently, but the teams head into this Sunday’s Round 13 Suncorp Super Netball clash with contrasting fortunes to show for their respective seasons to this point.
Both proud Foundation Clubs of the National League who’ve contested four Grand Finals against each other, the Swifts and Thunderbirds fought out one of netball’s greatest-ever deciders just 11 months ago when the South Australians edged the result in extra time to deny Briony Akle’s team a third title in five years.
Fast forward a year and the Thunderbirds are set to contest a second successive Finals Series for the first time in the Super Netball era, while the Swifts are likely to miss out meaning the focus for Premiership No.8 will probably soon shift to 2025.
However, there’s unfinished business for the Swifts when it comes to the Thunderbirds. The Clubs shared one of the great sporting narratives of 2023 after their abandoned game in Adelaide due to a power outage ultimately set them on course for two epic Finals Games (Major Semi Final and Grand Final).
The fact that Adelaide edged both contests has not been lost on the Swifts, a Club that’s contested an unrivalled 13 Grand Finals over 28 seasons.
“When we played them in Adelaide earlier this year they kept us to our lowest ever score but we know that’s not us,” Maddy Proud said.
“We actually match-up pretty well against Adelaide and last year we had those epic contests including the Grand Final where there was almost nothing between the teams.
“Even in Adelaide we were with them in the first half before things went awry in the second.
“At the end of the day, we have nothing to lose this weekend. They have been excellent and are sitting high on the table but this League has shown this year – more than ever – that anyone can beat anyone on their day.”
The Swifts are usually in the hunt for Finals, but despite a challenging season Proud says every game is an opportunity for growth, especially as the team looks to 2025.
“It’s been pretty tough season on and off the court and we’ve been through a fair bit as a team, and unfortunately we’ve not been able to get many wins in the bank,” Proud added.
“For us it’s all about ending the season on a high. I know there are some mathematicians who’ll say there is still a little inkling of possibility for us to play Finals and we’ll do everything we can to keep that alive.
“But it’s about finishing the season on a positive note with a couple of wins under the belt and look ahead to next season.”
Proud noted that the length on a netball season, when compared to the AFL or NRL who have over 25 rounds of competition before Finals, shows how little room there is disruption.
“Our season is so short and we only play 14 rounds of games which means if you hit a bit of a rough patch that can define what your season is.
“But there are fine margins. We had so many games last year that we won by one goal on the buzzer and this year we’ve had games, particularly last week against the Firebirds and against the Lightning and Vixens in Sydney where the result could easily have fallen our way.
"Had they done so we'd be on track for another Final Series but that's sport and it can't fall your way every year."
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 13 - Swifts v Firebirds
- WHEN: Sunday 7 June, 4pm 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 seven the Thunderbirds defeated the Swifts 58-33 in Adelaide.
- The Swifts hold a 10-win, five loss and two draw record in 17 previous Super Netball matches against the Thunderbirds.
- This will be the 71st meeting between the Swifts and Thunderbirds since 1997. In 70 meetings across the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, the Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship and Super Netball, with the Swifts having won 34, the Thunderbirds 34 and there have been two draws.
- Prior to 2023 the Thunderbirds had only won once beaten the Swifts in the Super Netball era, there was one draw.
- The Swifts are coming off a 60-61 loss to the Firebirds in Round 12.
- The Thunderbirds are coming off a 73-58 win over the Vixens
