The NSW Swifts will look to maintain their place on top of the Suncorp Super Netball ladder when they face the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Sunday (4pm AEST).
The Round 13 clash at Nissan Arena is the penultimate regular-season clash for the Swifts who currently sit four points clear of the Adelaide Thunderbirds in second.
However, in the Firebirds they face a side rejuvenated under former Swifts Premiership-winning player and Assistant Coach Bec Bulley.
A win for the Swifts would guarantee them a top-two regular season finish ahead of their Round 14 home game against the Thunderbirds, but head coach Briony Akle knows the task facing her side is far from straightforward.
Stretching back over 27 years, the Foundation Clubs have a long and cherished rivalry that comes with every NSW v Queensland sporting contest.
“The Firebirds have hit real form and are playing some of the best netball in the whole competition,” Akle said.
“It is always going to take time when a new coach comes in but Bec has them humming and Nissan Arena is always a tough place to play when it’s packed with passionate Queenslanders raising the roof for their team.
“They might be out of the running for Finals but they still have everything to play for; Donnell Wallam is a real weapon in all areas of the circle and their defence is showing maturity beyond their years.
“To score a big win on the road against the Giants and follow it up with a win over the Vixens is no easy feat and this is another massive test for us ahead of the Finals, which we’re embracing.”
With Teigan O’Shannassy and Allie Smith again ruled out, Akle said getting depth in the wider squad was of paramount importance.
“Losing two of your frontliners is never ideal but you don’t want to rush anyone back ahead of time,” Akle added.
“We are very fortunate that both Lili Gorman-Brown and Kelea Iongi have been able to fit into our match-day squad and do a great job when we’ve called on them. Having that kind of depth is really important because it gives Allie and Tossy the time they need to get fully right.
“Lili and Kelea will travel this weekend and we hope to have Teigan back for next week against the Thunderbirds, and with Allie we are still taking it week by week.”
Speaking earlier this week, Firebirds captain Kim Ravaillion said matches against the Swifts were always intense and the interstate atmosphere would ensure an electric atmosphere on Sunday.
“We love playing against the NSW Swifts and to do it in front of our home crowd this weekend, I'm pumped… I can't wait to do it,” Ravaillion said.
“The Swifts are currently sitting first, so it would be nice to tip them off, considering we're not going to make Finals. If we can finish our season on a high against quality opposition, then that's a big win for us."
MATCH NOTES
- When the teams last met in Round 3 the Swifts defeated the Firebirds 74-71 in Sydney.
- The teams have met 13 times in Suncorp Super Netball, the Swifts have won eight and the Firebirds five.
- The Swifts and Firebirds have met 57 times since 1997 across Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and Suncorp Super Netball with the Swifts winning 36 matches, the Firebirds 20 and there has been one draw.
- The Swifts have won four of the past five meetings between the teams.
- The teams have played five previous matches at Nissan Arena in Brisbane and the Swifts have won three and the Firebirds two.
- The Swifts are coming off a 68-63 victory over the Giants in Round 12 and have a record of nine wins, a draw and two losses to sit at the top of the Super Netball ladder.
- The Swifts moved into top place on the Super Netball ladder after Round 12, the first time this season they have sat in first place. The Swifts last sat in first place on the Super Netball ladder after Round 10 in 2021.
- The Swifts secured their place in 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series with their win over the Vixens in Round 11. If they win their last two matches they will secure the Minor Premiership and Major Semi Final hosting rights.
- The Firebirds are coming off a 76-71 win over the Vixens in Round 12 and they have a record of four wins and eight losses to sit in seventh place on the ladder.
- The Swifts' current eight match winning run is their longest in Super Netball since it began in 2017. The Swifts' previous longest Super Netball winning run was five matches that included the last two matches of 2019 and the first three matches in 2020. The Swifts' longest winning run since 1997 is 18 matches between Round 1 2006 and Round 2, 2007 in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.
- The Swifts' longest winning run in the ANZ Championship (2008-2016) was eight consecutive matches on two separate occasions.
- Eight of the Swifts' 12 matches this season have been decided by four goals or less or drawn including three matches by one goal.
