The Swifts’ bid for an unprecedented 24th finals campaign in 30 seasons has ended after a battling 66-60 loss to ladder-leading Adelaide Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Missing late withdrawal Sarah Klau and attacker Grace Whyte, who fell awkwardly in the opening quarter, of the Round 13 clash, the Swifts fell behind early as Adelaide dominated the first term 24-13. Despite that fast start, the visitors were unable to break the game open.
Shamera Sterling, Latanya Wilson and Kate Heffernan generated a steady stream of turnover ball, and Elmere van der Berg was clinical in conversion, but the Thunderbirds couldn’t shake the Swifts, who remained in touch throughout an entertaining contest in front of a crowd of more than 8,000.
Nicola Barge, who replaced Whyte in the attacking end, lifted strongly during the Super Shot period to keep NSW in touch, while Paige Hadley, Maddy Proud and Grace Nweke led the midcourt and shooting end fightback.
Adelaide’s superiority came down to efficiency and opportunity: they converted at 83% from centre pass compared to the Swifts’ 71%, and their full-court defensive pressure repeatedly forced errors.
The Swifts’ defence, led by Maddy Turner and Teigan O’Shannassy, worked into the game as it progressed, while Barge and Nweke began to find range, helping NSW close the gap. Hadley, despite missing selection in the Diamonds squad, produced a standout performance just three months after returning from maternity leave.
With Helen Housby was also after a season-ending back injury the home side were well down on proven performers, but they showed resilience, drawing the second quarter (15–15), narrowly losing the third (13–14), and dominating the final term (19–16).
While finals are now out of reach for the seven-time premiers in 2026, they certainly gave it a red hot crack against the current pace-setters in Australian netball.
Their final match of the season is against the Giants in the NSW Derby next Sunday.
