In a rare and special coming together of Club and International netball, the NSW Swifts and New Zealand played out at thrilling affair at Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park this afternoon.
The 74-52 score-line in the Swifts’ favour didn’t reflect how close the game was, particularly in the third quarter, but the seven-time Premiers of Australian netball will be mightily satisfied with their afternoon’s work against the five-time World Cup champions.
The game doubled as a pre-season clash for the Swifts, who are gearing up for their 2025 Suncorp Super Netball campaign, and match-play for NZ who are in Sydney for a training camp.
Two of the most iconic and successful outfits in world netball, tickets for the clash disappeared in minutes and neither side disappointed as they put on on fast, physical and relentless 60 minutes of action that enthralled for the duration.
Swifts Members who secured seats were given an opportunity to see Grace Nweke, Verity Simmons and Sharni Lambden (who all joined in the off-season) for the first time, while NZ mentor Dame Noeline Taurua included many of her front-liners including Maia Wilson, Maddy Gordon, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Kate Heffernan, Karin Burger, Amelia Walmsley and former Swift Claire O’Brien.
The Swifts put in a dominant display in the opening quarter as head coach Briony Akle gave both Simmons and Allie Smith time in the centre position, while Paige Hadley started from wing attack and linked well with Nweke and Helen Housby in the shooting circle.
The attacking duo looked comfortable together in their first public outing and in defence Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner were disrupting everything the Kiwis did en route to goal, ably aided by who was Lambden was on hand to sweep up loose possession.
At the first break the Swifts led 19-11 before Akle changed her side for the second quarter. Sophie Fawns (GA) and Lili Gorman-Brown (WA) were injected into the game with Hadley taking over the centre bib and Smith moving to WD. Despite the Kiwis having a more experienced side on the court, it was the Swifts who continued to lead the way, keeping their seven-goal advantage as rookie Grace Whyte entered the action to give Nweke a breather.
Klau and Turner continued their huge efforts in defence and the young NSW duo of Fawns and Whyte kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely too to put the home side 33-26 ahead at halftime.
Simmons returned to centre at the start of the second half and Teigan O’Shassassy took over at goal keeper but there was a momentum swing coming after the Kiwis emerged from the change rooms.
Their third-quarter defensive combo of Burger, Heffernan and Kelly Jackson (nee Jury) caused havoc for the Swifts attack and up front the new pairing of Ekenasio and Walmsley were hitting their straps.
NZ scored the first nine goals of the second half and from being seven goals down they were suddenly two in front. Despite this, the Swifts rallied. Akle called on the experience of Nweke and Housby in attack and Hadley and Simmons’ presence in the midcourt was vital as the home side steadied the ship.
Klau was introduced at goal defence and her combination with O’Shannassy started to make inroads with the Kiwis having to shoot from range via the impressive Martina Salmon to stay in the hunt.
In a crazy third quarter the Swifts went from being seven up, to two goals in arrears to finally finishing the period five in front (48-43).
With the momentum fully back in their favour, the Swifts put in a relentless final quarter, winning it 26-9. Simmons, Smith and Hadley were immense, while O’Shannassy also saved her best netball for the final 15 minutes.
Nweke, Fawns and Housby continued to work well well in tandem as NSW dominated the last Super Shot period to add some gloss to the score-line.
