It may not have been the season the NSW Swifts hoped for but that hasn’t dampened the appetite of the netball public with Sunday’s Derby clash against the Giants already sold out.
The Round 14 Suncorp Super Netball clash will see 10,000 fans descend on Ken Rosewall Arena for the second Derby sellout of the year between Netball NSW’s two professional franchises.
After reaching three Grand Finals and delivering two Premierships in the past five years, the Swifts are in the unfamiliar position of being out of Finals contention in 2024, however, there will be plenty of motivation to end this year on a high.
Based on how this game and other results go, the Swifts could finish in either sixth, seventh or eighth place on the ladder.
“It’s obviously not been the season we’d wanted after playing another Grand Final last year but we are raring and ready to go for this game,” attacker Sophie Fawns said.
“We had off-court distractions but we’ve started to move past those now and as a Club we've come closer together and we’re ready to look forward into the future."
Likewise, the Giants have also missed out on the playoffs meaning there will be plenty of pride on the line.
“Our changing rooms are literally facing each other, so every time you play the Giants there is something on the line,” Fawns added.
“I think both Swifts and Giants are really strong when it comes to Super Shots so it could well be a shootout on Sunday which will make it a great event.
“I love going up against the Giants because sometimes I feel we play similar and it does get a bit rough and physical with that white-line fever for both sides, but off the court we all get on really well.”
While Fawns admits that the results this year were well below the expectations the players have for themselves, she was also keen to emphasise the learning and growth opportunity as Briony Akle’s team aims to rebound and deliver Premiership glory to NSW again in 2025.
“It hasn’t been our year, but despite everything we got through," she added.
"We've had amazing support, especially in the stands with Swifts fans filling Ken Rosewall Arena for every game.
“We’ll also celebrate the success we had in patches, look at them and build on them heading into 2025.”
Tongan international Uneeq Palavi has been retained in the match day roster and will join Fawns and Housby in the Swifts attack end.
MATCH DETAILS
- WHAT: Suncorp Super Netball Round 14 - Giants v Swifts
- WHEN: Sunday 14 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 six the Swifts claimed a 76-52 victory.
- The Swifts lead head-to-head with 11 wins, the Giants five and one draw in the 17 previous Suncorp Super Netball meetings between the teams.
- The Swifts have won six of the past seven meetings between the teams.
- Twelve of the 17 previous meetings between the Swifts and Giants have been decided by five goals or less or drawn.
- The Swifts' 24-goal win over the Giants when they last met in round six was the biggest margin of the 17 previous meetings between the teams.
- As with every competitive game, the Swifts and Giants will contest the Carole Sykes Trophy, which is currently held by the Swifts.
