The NSW Swifts remain unbeaten in the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball competition, overcoming a stern challenge from long-time rivals the Melbourne Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday.
The 59-51 Round 5 score-line may look comfortable, however it was anything but that in a scrappy affair in which both teams failed to convert a host of turnover possession.
Swifts and Diamonds defender Sarah Klau was the difference on the night, putting on one of her finest performances in the Red Dress to finish up as MVP after going head-to-head with former Swifts teammate Sophie Garbin.
Klau finished with a personal-best five intercepts, nine gains and 13 deflections which means the Swifts have claimed the first leg of the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup which the Clubs contest each season. The Vixens will now need to beat the Swifts by nine or more in Melbourne in Round 10 to retain the Cup.
The Swifts continue to sit two wins clear at the summit of the Super Netball ladder after five rounds with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Sunshine Coast Lightning and West Coast Fever rounding out the top four in that order, all on three wins each and separated by goal percentage.
"We knew Vixens were gonna come out strong and it did take up until that last quarter," Klau told Fox Sports afterwards.
"So really proud of the girls to keep pushing. It wasn't the most pretty netball but we got the job done, which we're really pleased about.
"To start off the season so strong, it's great but there's still a long way to go. I'm sure we'll learn lots from this game.
"It's a credit to the girls as well - it was a full-court defensive pressure.
"But really happy - the combination between 'Turno' (Maddy Turner) and I, it's just working."
In a milestone match marking Vixens mentor Simone McKinnis’ 200th game as a national league head coach, a rowdy Sydney crowd brought the energy from the outset, but it was the visitors who drew first blood, capitalising on early errors from the Swifts to establish a three-goal lead after a scrappy opening quarter.
Klau came out hunting for the Swifts in the second, grabbing three critical intercepts within the opening minutes to keep her side in the hunt. Her presence at the back was unrelenting.
The Vixens held their lead deep into the quarter, with co-captain Kate Moloney providing strong service through the midcourt. But just before half-time, a trademark super shot from Helen Housby lifted the Swifts and gave the home side a 30–27 edge heading into the break.
Melbourne opened the second half with the first goal, but the Swifts responded with a burst of momentum that saw them stretch the lead and force a tactical timeout from the visitors. The Vixens introduced Lily Graham into the attack, while Moloney continued to battle hard, finishing with 11 assists, 22 feeds, and an intercept in a tireless performance.
Just two points the difference at the start of the final quarter, and it was Swifts who showed their intent, with Grace Nweke and Housby posting the first two scores. The home side were six clear when McKinnis called a timeout, returned Keira Austin to the court and brought on the much-anticipated Maggie Caris in defence.
The Vixens forced a couple of late turnovers, but they couldn’t convert them into scoreboard pressure. A final super shot from Housby in the dying minutes sealed the eight-point win.
Post-match, Swifts head coach Briony Akle was full of praise for her star defender and Player of the Match Klau.
“Sarah’s working extremely hard, as is the whole defence end,” Akle said.
“I think we've had one-on-ones with Sarah this week and she said she wants to get more hand on ball. I think she certainly did her homework—she's been training out of the park.
"For her, we've had tall shooters for the last few weeks in a row, and to have that moving circle to maybe play a different style than we've had to play, she's certainly so focused and getting ball in hand. Super proud of her.”
Article: Netball Australia & NSW Swifts
