The NSW Swifts have returned to winning ways after holding off a third-quarter comeback from the Queensland Firebirds at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Tuesday night.
The Round 5 Suncorp Super Netball clash centred on the middle quarters with the Swifts producing a huge second to set themselves up before their hosts came storming back in the next.
However, in the end, the defending Premiers had too much for their long-time rivals, running out 64-57 winners to make it four wins from five games. Helen Housby put in an MVP-winning performance and was the key player as NSW steadied the ship late just before the final break.
“That was a far better performance tonight and a real NSW versus Queensland battle,” head coach Briony Akle said afterwards.
“I am really glad to see Helen put in a performance like that after having a tough time against the Lightning at the weekend.
“She is a world class player and the fire and drive she brings to that attack end was vital when things started to look a little wobbly.
“That was a game we could have lost, and the Firebirds are not far from their first win of the season so I feel we’ve done well to win like we did.”
The opening quarter was a very scrappy affair with both teams finding it hard to get into a rhythm. The defences were creating plenty of turnover possession for their respective attacks but converting was proving difficult.
The game came to life in the opening Rebel Power Five when Firebirds goal attack Tippah Dwan landed the first Suncorp Super Shot of the night, but Housby responded with a quick double of her own and at quarter time the scores were tied at 16 goals apiece.
The Swifts were far more in sync in the second period and good pressure in the midcourt and defence was rewarded under the post. Natalie Haythornthwaite came on for Maddy Proud at wing attack and linked nicely with Housby and Sam Wallace, who was playing her 50th Super Netball game for the Swifts.
The Firebirds were still making the Premiers work for everything en route to goal, but loose passing when they were in attack wasn’t helping their cause as the Swifts took the quarter 18-10 to hold an eight-goal advantage at the big break.
Turnovers from three of the Swifts’ opening centre passes of the second half quickly had the Firebirds back within one goal. Kim Jenner and Gabi Simpson were hunting for intercepts and when the Firebirds flooded the mid-court they made it very difficult for the Swifts to find a path to goal.
With five minutes to go to the last break all of the momentum was Queensland’s but good scrambling from Lauren Moore and Sarah Klau gave the Swifts an edge in the closing stages and Housby was on hand with a pair for Super Shots to keep the Premiers six ahead at three-quarter time.
A Klau intercept on the Firebirds’ next centre pass was a good settler for the Premiers who moved Paige Hadley to wing attack and Tayla Fraser to centre. The Firebirds did keep the scoreboard ticking over but weren’t making inroads to the Swifts’ lead.
With Dwan looking in good touch from range the Swifts looked to play the clock down in the final quarter to give their opponents little chance of reeling them in with Super Shots.
A late flurry of them from replacement goal attack Ine-Mari Venter got Queensland closer but the Swifts were already too far ahead.
Next up for the Swifts is a home clash with the Collingwood Magpies on Saturday at the same venue.
Quarter-by-quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 16, Q2: 34 (18), Q3: 49 (15), Q4: 64 (15)
FIREBIRDS | Q1: 16, Q2: 26 (10), Q3: 43 (17), Q4: 57 (14)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Maddy Proud, C Paige Hadley, WD Sophie Craig, GD Lauren Moore, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Natalie Haythornthwaite, Tayla Fraser, Sophie Garbin
FIREBIRDS | GS Romelda Aiken, GA Tippah Dwan, WA Jemma Mi Mi, C Mahalia Cassidy, WD Gabi Simpson, GD Kim Jenner, GK Tara Hinchliffe
Match stats
Full match stats can be viewed here
