The NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning’s respective seasons have so far been mirror images of each other.
The two most successful Clubs of the Suncorp Super Netball era have both displayed glimpses of brilliance in 2024, but neither will be happy with their three-win, five-loss returns after eight rounds.
As things stand, the Lightning are currently sitting inside the Finals positions in fourth, just ahead of the Swifts on goal percentage.
The equation is quite simple, then. A win for either side in Saturday evening’s Round 9 clash will give the victors some breathing space in the race for the playoffs.
Despite leading at halftime last Sunday, a poor third quarter saw the Swifts fall to the Mavericks in Melbourne.
“It’s been the third quarter that has been letting down where we make basic errors that leads to mistake after mistake, and we are not happy with what we put out against the Mavericks,” head coach Briony Akle told SEN on Thursday.
“We’ve been winning a lot of defensive ball back which allowed us to surge ahead earlier in that game but then we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities.
“What we’re doing coming out of halftime is not good enough and that’s what we’ll address.”
In Round 1 the Lightning outran the Swifts after the seven-time Premiers had pulled them back on numerous occasions. However, Akle wants her troops leading from the start this time out.
“We’re a team that likes to play under pressure and we know what’s on the line against the Lightning.
“We’ve had the same number of wins as them and it’s about knuckling down and knowing you can walk off that court being proud of what you’ve produced come 7pm on Saturday night.
“If we can get on top of them early, I think we can build that confidence and feed off the energy that’s created.
“We’re due to have around 7,500 people there on Saturday so that will definitely build the energy which we’ll need to start heading back up the ladder.”
The game will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Match Details
- What: Suncorp Super Netball Round 9 – Swifts v Lightning
- When: Saturday 8 June (5pm AEST)
- Where: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
- Broadcast: Foxtel & Kayo Sports
Match Notes
- When the teams last met in round one the Lightning defeated the Swifts 79-63.
- In 17 previous meetings the Lightning lead with 10 wins and the Swifts seven.
- The Lightning broke a three-match losing run against the Swifts in Round 1.
- The Swifts and Lightning met five times in Sydney and the Swifts have won two and the Lightning three.
- The past seven meetings between the Swifts and Lightning have been decided by seven goals or less.
- The Swifts are coming off a 58-64 loss to the Mavericks in Melbourne in round eight and sit in fifth place on the ladder with three wins and five losses.
- The Lightning are coming off a 68-71 loss to the Fever at home in round eight and sit in fourth place on the ladder with three wins and five losses.
- Allie Smith will play her 50th Super Netball match in round nine against the Lightning.
- Jemma Donoghue made her Super Netball debut for the Swifts against the Mavericks in round eight to become Swift #108.
