The NSW Swifts have pulled off one of the comebacks of the season, overturning a sluggish start and a 12-goal first-quarter deficit to surge past the GIANTS 75-66 in a fiery Sydney derby.
Outplayed early and searching for answers, the Swifts found their spark in the second half, ignited by a roaring sold-out home crowd of 10,000.
The turnaround means the seven-time Premiers have now booked their Finals spot with three rounds to play and have returned to the top of the ladder, just ahead of the West Coast Fever on goal percentage.
The Giants exploded out of the blocks with a 4-0 run, applying immediate pressure on an off-colour Swifts outfit. Erin O’Brien continued her standout form in defence, while the battle between Casey Kopua and Grace Nweke became a key focus point in the opening quarter.
The Swifts struggled to convert their centre passes, registering just a 50% conversion rate midway through the term and Briony Akle called an early tactical timeout with her side trailing by four, but it did little to disrupt the Giants' rhythm.
Jamie-Lee Price shut down Allie Smith in centre, forcing Paige Hadley to shoulder much of the midcourt load. Sophie Fawns was brought on for Nweke during the Power Five in a bid to spark the home side’s attack, but the Swifts struggled for fluency, shooting at just 60% compared to the GIANTS’ 90% as the visitors claimed the first quarter 21-10.
The Swifts rang in more changes to start the second, reintroducing Nweke and bringing on Grace Whyte to the midcourt but their attack continued to misfire. Helen Housby was below her usual standards, shooting at just 50% as Akle searched for answers with a rotating lineup.
While the second quarter was more evenly contested, the Swifts still found themselves trailing by eight five minutes in, with their rivals maintaining control through slick connections, particularly between Maddie Hay and Sophie Dwyer. Housby began to lift late in the term, pushing into space more confidently, but continued to struggle in the super shot zone.
The hosts managed to win the quarter 18-15, clawing back some momentum, but the visitors’ dominance in the first quarter meant they still held an eight-goal buffer at halftime.
Roaring out of the blocks, the Swifts opened with a dominant 7-1 run, energised by a vocal Ken Rosewall Arena crowd. A brilliant intercept from game MVP Teigan O’Shannassy midway through the term ignited the home fans once again and momentum looked to swing in their favour.
The Swifts' defensive intensity lifted across the court, putting GWS on the back foot for the first time in the match. Despite the early onslaught, the visitors steadied to regain a five-goal buffer with just over five minutes remaining in the term, capitalising on the Swifts’ inability to collect rebounds. However, the momentum swung again in the Power Five, with Fawns re-entering the court and draining back-to-back super shots to level the scores for the first time in the match.
In a thrilling final few minutes, both sides traded long-range bombs in a two-point frenzy, but it was the Swifts who took the quarter 24-16, to set up a thrilling final term with the scoreboard locked at 52 all.
After levelling the scores at three-quarter time, the Swifts wasted no time in making their next move, hitting the front for the first time in the match with a fast start to the final period.
The Giants made a key change with Matisse Letherbarrow replacing Jo Harten under the post, but the Swifts maintained their momentum to edge ahead.
The physicality ramped up, with O’Shannassy coming off second best in a heavy clash with Price, and Amy Sligar and Grace Nweke colliding as they fought for possession in a high-stakes final few minutes.
Despite the Giants staying within striking distance, just three goals down heading into the Power Five, the Swifts pushed ahead, extending their lead to seven and forcing a tactical timeout after Dwyer and Letherbarrow missed 2-point attempts.
With Hadley marshalling the midcourt and O’Shannassy commanding in defence, the Swifts controlled the closing stages and powered to a nine-goal win.
Their 23–14 final-quarter dominance capped off a remarkable second-half turnaround.
