A towering third-quarter domination of the Queensland Firebirds has underlined the NSW Swifts’ status as the early-season pacesetters in the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball competition.
Top of the table before play, the seven-time Premiers of Aussie netball now sit two wins clear at the summit with four wins from four games after a 71-63 result at Ken Rosewall Arena ahead of the visit of the Melbourne Vixens next weekend.
The Firebirds, who entered the game in the Top Four, looked like they could repeat last year’s win over the Swifts at the same venue but when their opponents upped the ante it was one-way traffic.
Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley was immense in an MVP performance as the home side overcame a slow start to wrestle control of a game that looked like a toss-up at halftime.
Silver Ferns superstar Grace Nweke proved to be a hugely reliable target when the Firebirds defence pressed NSW.
Nweke shot 54 goals from 56 attempts, taking the pressure off Helen Housby who the Queenslanders looked to keep quiet at Power Five time.
"I'm learning on the job and really enjoying it," Nweke told Fox Sports’ Pivot program at fulltime.
"I'm happy with how I played. I think it's a pretty standard game for me.
"I'm working on keeping my losses down. Just wanting to be a bit better in that regard.
"I feel like I was available to the ball and pretty accurate with my shots, so can't complain too much.”
The Firebirds had the better of the opening exchanges, forcing the Swifts into held-ball and passing turnovers with Ugandan star Mary Cholhok on hand to reward the visitors in the goal circle.
Defensive pressure in the midcourt was forcing the Swifts to throw long balls into Nweke, and while the Kiwi attacker was converting well, the home side’s path to post was anything but comfortable.
At the first break the Queenslanders led 18-15 before Swifts head coach Briony Akle injected Allie Smith (centre) and Maddy Turner (goal defence) into the contest with Hadley moving to wing attack.
The changes paid dividends as NSW raised their game to retake the lead (26-24) midway through the second period.
Before halftime, both sides had chances get into the driving seat but neither made the most of opportunities presented. Inaccuracy at Super Shot time from both Housby and Nweke was costing the Swifts, while offensive contacts were the Firebirds’ Achillies heel.
Housby was on target from range just before the big break, however, as the Swifts evened the ledger, heading to the sheds with the teams locked up at 32 goals apiece.
Akle’s halftime words then did the trick. Turner and Sarah Klau were fantastic at the back, and Smith – despite some loose passes – proved why she’s most of the most highly rated midcourters in the Australian game.
A 23-13 third quarter put NSW in full control, and they never relinquished it from there.
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