The NSW Swifts will aim to get back to winning ways this weekend, but it won’t be easy when they face a Melbourne Vixens side which is starting to click into gear.
The Swifts and Vixens have a long and cherished rivalry and with NSW currently sitting on top of the Suncorp Super Netball ladder the Victorians would love to knock them over and maintain their Finals push.
Vixens shooter Sophie Garbin, who won titles with the Swifts in 2019 and 2021, knows her side have to keep their recent run of good form up if last year’s Grand Finalists are to return to the Playoffs.
Like it was for the Vixens’ win over the Mavericks last weekend, John Cain Arena is set to be full to the brim for the second leg of the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup in which the hosts need to beat the Swifts by eight goals or more to retain the trophy.
The Swifts’ eight-game winning streak was ended by the West Coast Fever last Saturday, and the Vixens will look to make the Minor Premiership race even more interesting if they can register a fourth win on the trot, and hand NSW back-to-back losses for the first time this year.
"It's amazing, a Derby in front of a full JCA and three in a row, very happy with that," Diamonds shooter Garbin told Fox Sports after the Melbourne Derby win.
"We're going to need momentum going into the back-end of the season, but for us, we've just been taking it one week at a time and we know that every week is kind of do-or-die for us in trying to make the Finals.
"It's just awesome and everyone had a really good performance."
Swifts head coach Briony Akle’s side may still sit four points clear at the top of the ladder, but she knows her team must step-up against a Vixens side that has internationals in every area of the court.
She also knows the do-or-die nature of their season from this point makes them very dangerous opponents.
“We were second best against the Fever, and that same performance won’t cut it against the Vixens on Sunday,” she said.
“It’s a big week, and I’m challenging my team to step up.”
The Swifts and Vixens go head-to-head this Sunday at 2pm (AEST). The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and Binge.
