The NSW Swifts have guaranteed themselves a top-two Suncorp Super Netball regular season finish with a 69-64 win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning at Brisbane's Nissan Arena today.
It means the Swifts have qualified for next weekend's Major Semi Final clash against the Giants while the Lightning will head to the do-or-die Minor Semi Final and face West Coast Fever.
The Giants finished top of the table on equal points with the Swifts but with a superior goal percentage.
The victor of the Major Semi Final will progress straight to the 2021 Grand Final with the loser to play the Preliminary Final against the Minor Semi's winner.
Today's success was built on a hugely impressive first half in which the Swifts dominated their opponents, and while a flurry of Super Shots late in the game had the six-time Premiers on edge at the death, ultimately the Lightning left their run too late.
Injured goal attack Steph Wood was a big omission for the Lightning, however, the Swifts managed to play the game without calling on Diamonds midcourter Paige Hadley who was rested ahead of Finals.
In her place England international Natalie Haythornthwaite didn't miss a beat as she fed the Swifts attack brilliantly all afternoon alongside game MVP Maddy Proud. In the shooting circle Sam Wallace was imperious with a 50-goal haul from 52 attempts, while Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner were impressive at the back.
The Swifts' defensive pressure started from the off. A Klau intercept off the opening centre-pass play of the game and two penalty calls against Mahalia Cassidy gave the Swifts the opportunity to race out to a 5-0 lead before the Lightning called their first timeout.
It stemmed the flow of scoring but the Swifts' path to the post was very fluid, and unlike in previous rounds they were taking advantage of turnover possession.
A Cara Koenen tip in the midcourt won some bonus possession for the Lightning which kept them in touch, just five down heading into the first Power Five of the afternoon.
There were no Super Shot attempts in the opening quarter with both teams content to take single scores and the Lightning harried well in the last play of the period to deny the Swifts a bonus goal off a fine Maddy Turner defensive play.
At quarter time the Swifts led 20-15 but it could have been more.
Klau came up with another intercept on the Lightning's first centre pass of the second quarter, and when she took a rebound off a missed Peace Proscovia attempt Helen Housby and Wallace stretched the Swifts' lead to 10.
Lightning head coach Kylie Byrne called another timeout when her side ran offside off a centre pass which allowed NSW get out to a 32-19 lead.
The six-time Premiers continued to dominate the play and a contact call against Binnian Hunt, who had replaced Proscovia in the Lightning attack, gave them the chance to stretch their lead again.
Midway through the second Power Five the Swifts led 38-26 and Sophie Garbin was injected into the game to give the impressive Housby a breather.
A pushed Garbin pass gave the Lightning the opening they needed to finish the quarter in a better fashion with Koenen and Hunt capitalising on the gain, but the Swifts still headed to the halftime break with an 11-goal lead (40-29).
The Lightning started the third quarter much better and matched the Swifts goal for goal. They did concede turnovers but the Swifts were suddenly finding converting the gains very difficult.
Midway through the third quarter the Lightning had closed the cap to nine goals and Briony Akle was quick to call a timeout.
The Swifts continued to look hesitant for the remainder of the quarter and pressure defence from Karla Pretorius and Kate Shimmin allowed the Lightning to get back within eight goals.
However the Sunshine Coast outfit looked hesitant themselves on approach to goal and a stray pass that was meant for Hunt thwarted their comeback. The Swifts regrouped and took a 10-goal lead to the last break.
The Lightning threatened to heap real pressure on NSW when they turned over the Swifts' opening centre pass of the final quarter but couldn't make further inroads.
The Super Shots in the final five minutes of the game did have a big impact but the clock was against them. The Lightning got within four but the Swifts slowed play to take the sting out the comeback and see the game out.
Quarter by quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 20, Q2: 40 (20), Q3: 54 (14), Q4: 69 (15)
LIGHTNING | Q1: 15, Q2: 29 (14), Q3: 44 (15), Q4: 64 (20)
Starting teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Natalie Haythornthwaite, C Maddy Proud, WD Tayla Fraser, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Sophie Garbin, Lauren Moore
LIGHTNING | GS Peace Proscovia, GA Cara Koenen, WA Laura Scherian, C Mahalia Cassidy, WD Kate Shimmin, GD Karla Pretorius, GK Phumza Maweni
Reserves used: Maddy McAuliffe, Binnian Hunt
Match stats: View HERE
