The NSW Swifts and the Giants will face off this ANZAC Day on Saturday as the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball regular season marks the halfway point.
While still missing some key frontliners, head coach Briony Akle says that the Swifts want that winning feeling back after falling short in the final quarter against the Firebirds last weekend.
“We just need one win to get us over the line and our season to launch. We want to get that winning feeling back to push us even further,” she said.
“We are training very well and looking at all avenues, it is just a confidence and discipline thing and being better in the moments where we are six or seven goals up,” she said.
Maddy Proud says that this week it is all about using their ability to stay in the game.
“As senior players, we need to use our experience to keep us alive. There are so many moments of nearly gaining the ball back, but not getting there, or it’s a penalty.
“It comes down to discipline and connection, but as a whole team, we want to go errorless this week.”
Grace Whyte has been a shining light for the team, says Akle, but the pressure of a game cannot always fall onto her shoulders.
“In the last 18 months, she has played more WA than GA, but having a player that can switch between both, it will only get better swinging her that way”, Akle said.
“However, there can’t be so much pressure on her in those final moments to put up Super Shots, it goes back to earlier in the game where we lost possession of the ball.”
Ahead of the fiery NSW derby this Saturday, the Swifts are not simply preparing for a netball match but are preparing for a statement. With a squad that is training with sharpness, there has been no stone left unturned. They just need to play their game.
Akle says the Swifts will come out fighting this weekend.
“We are not walking away. We are grinding away and are ready to move on to the game this week,” she said.
