After a crucial and special win against the Giants in the first NSW Derby of the season, the NSW Swifts are proud of the four quarters they played on Saturday.
Retaining the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy, the Swifts finished the round with 18 gains and the highest possession percentage they have had all season.
Swifts Captain Maddy Turner said it was special to put that game out there when it mattered most.
“We really just said go for the ball, cut the pressure off and take a crack," she said.
"The effort to back each other up was there."
Head Coach Briony Akle said that the win was everything.
“As a club, from supporters and loyal fans who show up at every game, the win was that touching point to get back in the race, and our goal is to get back in the four,” she said.
The Grace Nweke and Grace Whyte partnership again stood out for the team with the Swifts taking a 40-26 lead to the halftime break.
“There has been so much growth in her (Nweke) area, both Whyte and Nweke controlled time well, and Nweke’s communication with the attack was great,” Akle said.
Turner and Sharni Lambden’s wing-defence and goal-defence swaps throughout the game also played an important part in the win, with an impressive amount of defensive turnovers.
With Sarah Klau likely to be back this week, the partnership between these three will be a force to be reckoned with.
Traditional Swifts possession play was back in Round 7, and the team plans to take that into Round 8 against the Mavericks, whom they beat by one goal in Round 2 at Qudos Bank Arena.
A win for the Swifts on Saturday night could see them enter the top four for the first time this season.
The Swifts will take on the Mavericks at John Cain Arena this Saturday at 5 pm.
