The Swifts and Giants rivalry may be pretty new on the Sydney sports scene but if Sunday’s crowd numbers are any indication to go by, it’s already made a huge impression.
The Suncorp Super Netball Round 6 clash at Ken Rosewall Arena is a Full House and another capacity crowd for the Swifts at the Sydney venue.
Since the introduction of the Giants in 2017 the sides have met 16 times with Swifts claiming 10 wins, including the 2021 Grand Final success over their local rivals.
As things currently stand, the Swifts sit in the top four but are coming off back-to-back losses to the ladder-leading West Coast Fever and Melbourne Vixens. The Giants are bottom of the table but, in contrast, are looking build on the feel-good vibes of last weekend’s dramatic extra-time win over the Lightning.
Swifts head coach Briony Akle said ladder placings counted for little in this tie.
“No matter where the Giants are on the ladder, they will be up for this game big style,” she said.
“Some fans and commentators are so quick to write teams off in this competition, but if anything the league has never been more competitive and they are still well in the hunt.
“Julie (Fitzgerald, Giants head coach) will have her troops primed and there’s never been an easy game for either side in this fixture, and I don’t think there ever will be.
“There’s a storm coming, there’s always a storm coming when we play them and they’ll be riding high after last week’s result.
“We know what’s coming, but performing to the required level to stop it? That’s on us. We know we have to be on point with option after option for our playmakers.
“This game is always a spectacle and it’s fitting that we’re playing to a full house.”
There is mixed news for the Swifts on the injury front with defender Teigan O’Shannassy set to make her first appearance of the season, but co-captain Maddy Proud will not play.
O’Shannassy, who had a sterling 2023 campaign, has overcome a hip injury which she suffered in pre-season and will take her place in the Swifts’ defensive end.
Proud, who missed last Sunday’s narrow defeat to the Melbourne Vixens, has made good progress rehabbing a knee complaint but the first Derby of the year will come too soon for the double Premiership winner.
The news means Elle Temu, who’s filled in admirably for O’Shannassy over the past five weeks, will drop out of the Game Day squad while rookie Grace Whyte – who debuted against the Vixens – will replace Proud again.
Akle she was excited to see O’Shannassy take the court for the first time this year, and also thanked Temu for her brilliant contribution.
“Teigan was fantastic at the Team Girls Cup in pre-season and was ready to build on a brilliant 2023 so I know she’ll be raring to go on Sunday.
“Playing your local rivals always gets the heart pumping and Teigan knows it’s going to be a cauldron but she’s proven to us that she can play on big stages and I can’t wait to see her out there.
“Elle has been just superb over the past five weeks and it really comforting to have a player of her calibre able to step in when injuries hit and she’ll continue to play a huge role for us this year.”
Akle also gave an update on Proud’s injury.
“Thankfully, Maddy’s situation is not too serious but we want to give her some additional time off her knee to ensure she comes back in the best possible condition.
“While we are still in the first half of the regular season, the second half will be on us soon and then it will feel like a sprint to the finish. Maddy is one of our key leaders and generals and we need her at 100% for that sprint.
“Grace demonstrated clearly last week that she is now overawed by a big occasion and if she takes the court this game will be another amazing challenge for her.”
Match Details
- WHAT: Suncorp Super Netball Round 6: Swifts v Giants
- WHERE: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
- WHEN: Sunday 19 May, 4pm AEST
- BROADCAST: Foxtel and Kayo Sports
Match Notes
- When the teams last met in Round 12 last season the Swifts claimed a 68-63 Victory.
- The Swifts lead head-to-head with 10 wins, the Giants five and one draw in the 16 previous Suncorp Super Netball meetings between the teams.
- The Swifts have won five of the past six meetings between the teams.
- Twelve of the 16 previous meetings between the Swifts and Giants have been decided by five goals or less or drawn.
- The Swifts are coming off a 59-61 loss to the Vixens in round five and sit in fourth place on the ladder.
- The Giants are coming off an 86-80 extra time win over the Lightning in round five and sit at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder.
- The Swifts best quarter this season is their second having won two, drawn two and lost one. They have only won a of five quarters in their first, third and fourth quarters.
