The Swifts may only sit outside the Suncorp Super Netball top four on goal percentage, but last Saturday’s chastening Round 7 loss to the Thunderbirds in Adelaide has put them on high alert.
After a highly competitive first half, the Swifts experienced their worst 30 minutes netball in an age in the second as Adelaide reigned supreme in the Grand Final rematch.
While the Swifts’ defence won plenty of ball, the Thunderbirds stymied everything NSW produced on attack and that has led to plenty of soul searching in Sydney this week.
The Swifts play the Mavericks in Round 8 in Melbourne on Sunday knowing that a win could put them back in the top four.
“There’s been anger this week, a lot of anger, and that’s good because there should be,” Swifts head coach Briony Akle said.
“You don’t mind losing a game if you’ve fired shots but that second half in Adelaide was a million miles off what we expect at the Swifts.
“Thunderbirds were fantastic, but in that second half we gave them so much opportunity. They are a team we’ve gone to the wire with so often, and we knew if you gave them an inch they’d take a mile.
“They had a field day. Don’t get me wrong, Adelaide very much deserved their win but it’s difficult knowing we made it so easy for them in that second half.
“As coach I take responsibility for that. This is a new challenge for us as a group. Not many of our players have experienced a loss like that before – they are proven winners.
“But this is sport, it doesn’t always go your way, and how you respond is a choice. You take accountability, you accept the bad days and work towards a better one.
“The Mavericks have proven they can match it with everyone in this competition and I know that Tracey Neville will have them primed to try and get in our heads early on Sunday.
“Our focus is simple. Be better, in every facet and rise to the challenge.”
Last time the teams met in Round 2 the Swifts prevailed 67-56 in a hard-fought encounter, however, the competition newcomers have since registered their first wins since joining Super Netball this year.
They beat the Firebirds at home in Brisbane and came back at the death to beat the Lightning on the Sunshine Coast. Given they’ve not had much time together, it’s a pretty impressive return for a club in its infancy.\
In injury news co-captain Maddy Proud continues to make good progress as she rehabs a knee injury, however, she will not return in time for this weekend and will be replaced by Grace Whyte.
Match Details
- WHAT: Suncorp Super Netball Round 8: Mavericks v Swifts
- WHERE: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- WHEN: Sunday 2 June, 4pm AEST
- BROADCAST: Foxtel or watch free on Kayo Sports (WATCH HERE)
