After fading in the final quarter of last weekend’s Round 1 clash against the Lightning, the Swifts are hoping to bounce back against Suncorp Super Netball newcomers the Melbourne Mavericks on Sunday.
The Round 2 clash is the Swifts’ first home game of their 2024 campaign and double Premiership winner Maddy Turner says they are determined to right the wrongs of the trip to the Sunshine Coast.
“I think against the Lightning we had patches where we were brilliant but then we had patches where we were terrible, and unfortunately the latter outweighed the former,” she said.
“Credit to the Lightning, they outplayed us and we were always playing catch-up. They were clinical and patient, which is something we pride ourselves on being so we need to bring that back into our game.”
Post-game last Sunday Swifts head coach Briony Akle felt her side had been their own worst enemy and failed to heed the lessons of the first half. However, Turner says that may well be a silver lining for last year’s Grand Finalists who are chasing a third Premiership in six years.
“A lot of the possession we gave the Lightning was cheap ball, and while they were very good and clinical, they didn’t have to work too hard for the bonus ball they got.
"That means a lot of the problems are within our control to fix.
“I thought if we could keep Lightning within five or six heading into the last five we’d be well in the running with Helen (Housby), Sophie (Fawns) and Sam (Wallace-Joseph) all firing Super Shots, but we don’t want to be a team that relies on the two-point shot.
“Our traditional strength has been in the opening 10 minutes of each quarter and we need to demonstrate that against the Mavericks.”
Turner’s fellow Swifts defender Teigan O’Shannassy has been ruled out of the Mavericks clash as she rehabs a hip injury with former Silver Fern Elle Temu, who made her Club debut against the Lightning, coming into in the defensive end again.
Former Swifts champion Tayla Fraser, who won titles with her hometown team in 2019 and 2021, is returning to Sydney for the first time in a competitive game, and Turner knows the Mavericks have the quality to cause real problems.
“They are still that little bit of an unknown and that makes them dangerous,” Turner added.
“We know players like Tay and Amy Parmenter really well and what Eleanor Cardwell can do in the shooting circle. We played against her a lot across the Finals Series last year when she was with the Thunderbirds.
“Their front line is very exciting and very new and as a defender that is a real challenge that you look forward to.”
Sunday’s game is broadcast live and free via Kayo Sports and well on Foxtel via Fox Netball.
Match Details
- What: SSN Round 2 - Swifts v Mavericks
- When: 4pm (AEST), Sunday 21 April
- Where: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
- Broadcast: Foxtel & Kayo Sports
- Tickets: Buy HERE
