An out-of-sorts NSW Swifts failed to take advantage of the ladder-leading Melbourne Vixens' draw with West Coast Fever, falling to the Queensland Firebirds 77-64 in Round 10 of Suncorp Super Netball at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Saturday.
The loss means the Swifts remain second on the competition ladder for now, six points adrift of the Vixens instead of just two which a win would have brought them within.
A dominant first quarter set the tone of the game for the Firebirds, who recorded their third win of the season to keep their Finals hopes alive.
Next up for the Swifts is a clash with the Vixens on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday night where head coach Briony Akle will be looking for far more from her champion side.
Confusion in the Swifts' attacking end gave Queensland the turnovers needed to take an 8-5 lead midway through the first quarter, forcing Akle to call in early timeout.
Maddy Proud was injected into the game and the supply of ball to Sam Wallace and Helen Housby became smoother but the Firebirds' defence was getting to every loose ball first, and having more success under the post.
A Tippah Dawn Suncorp Super Shot and steady scoring from Romelda Aiken put the Firebirds 19-12 up at quarter-time.
Proud moved to centre for the second quarter with Hadley to wing defence and although the teams went goal-for-goal, the Premiers were finding it hard to make inroads into Queensland's lead.
Akle called another timeout and it appeared to pay dividends as her team won possession back, and when Housby followed up with an athletic intercept in the midcourt the Swifts seemed to be back in business.
However a costly Proud turnover off a centre pass, coupled with three Dawn Super Shots, meant the impetus was firmly with the Firebirds who led by nine at halftime.
Sophie Garbin was introduced for the second half as Akle looked to change the game up in attack. Both sides were guilty of conceding possession on a number of occasions but neither could take advantage.
Just before the Power Play the Swifts were leading the third quarter by one but still eight down on the scoreboard as the Firebirds held tough.
When Queensland made a rare error on attack Housby punished them with a pair of Super Shots but the Swifts failed to score form their next two centre passes. From there Aiken and Dawn pushed Queensland's lead out to 11, leaving the Premiers with a mountain to climb in the final quarter.
It was a case of deja vu at the start of the fourth as the Swifts failed to score from their two opening centre passes, and despite fighting to the death the Firebirds played simple, effective netball to keep NSW bay.
When it came to the final Power Five the Swifts had to take risks, and despite some Super Shots going in, it was too little too late as Dawn put some gloss on the scoreline from range, consigning NSW to their third defeat from 10 outings.
Quarter-by-quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 12, Q2: 30 (18), Q3: 48 (18), Q4: 64 (16)
FIREBIRDS | Q1: 19, Q2: 39 (20), Q3: 58 (19), Q4: 77 (19)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Natalie Haythornthwaite, C Paige Hadley, WD Sophie Craig, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Maddy Proud, Lauren Moore, Sophie Garbin, Tayla Fraser
FIREBIRDS | GS Romelda Aiken, GA Tippah Dwan, WA Lara Dunkley, C Mahalia Cassidy, WD Gabi Simpson, GD Kim Jenner, GK Tara Hinchliffe
Reserves used: Macy Gardner
Match stats
Full match stats can be viewed here
