NS SCOREBOARD: SSN 2023 Round 11

NS SCOREBOARD: SSN 2023 Round 11

Cover image of Whadjuk Noongar woman Donnell Wallam at the pre-match smoking ceremony: Danny Dalton

 

Contributors: Jenny Sinclair, Ian Harkin, Katrina Nissen, Georgia Doyle.

Photographers: Simon Leonard, Kirsten Daley, Hannah Howard, Danny Dalton, Aunty Barb McGrady

 

Being Indigenous means that you are of this land and from this land, and native to it.  To me, Indigenous Round is about a sense of pride and recognition of culture, it’s a unifying opportunity. It’s beautiful.  (Danny Dalton, Gomeroi Nation. Netball Scoop photographer)

 

Match Results

Sunshine Coast Lightning 66 def Collingwood Magpies 62 (17-19, 15-20, 20-10, 14-13)

Adelaide Thunderbirds 54 def West Coast Fever 53 (12-20, 14-11, 13-10, 15-12)

NSW Swifts 70 def Melbourne VIxens 62 (18-15, 21-17, 20-11, 11-19)

Queensland Firebirds 68 def GIANTS Netball 50 (14-17, 14-11, 16-10, 24-12)

 

Let’s Talk

Rounds 11 and 12 are jointly known as First Nations Round. 

While Australia’s First Nations’ people should be included and supported through the year, these rounds are a way of celebrating and highlighting Indigenous culture and heritage through the medium of sport. They are filled with colour as each team reveals its Indigenous dress design, and a range of traditional ceremonies take place.

However, far more important are the stories woven across the two weeks. First Nations’ people are generous in sharing their knowledge, and it’s to be hoped that non-Indigenous people use this as an opportunity to learn, grow and reflect. 

Netball Scoop was privileged to have photographers Danny Dalton and Aunty Barbara McGrady in attendance at the Giants-Firebirds match. Danny (Gomeroi nation) has photographed for NS over a number of years, including the 2019 Netball World Cup. 

Aunty Barbara (Gomeroi/Murri/Yinah)  is Australia’s foremost Indigenous sports and photojournalist. During her time behind the lens, she has taken images of people such as Adam Goodes, Anthony Mundine and Greg Inglis. Aunty Barb has won numerous awards for her activism through photojournalism – a process she describes as ‘countering the stereotypes’, while her work hangs in museums around Australia. 

Thank you Danny and Aunty Barb. 

 

Donnell Wallam and Aunty Barbara McGrady. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah

 

On Thursday, Collingwood Magpies announced that they were handing back their Super Netball license at the close of the 2023 season. It was devastating news for athletes, coaches and support staff, who are only contracted until September 30 and face an uncertain future beyond this time. 

To make matters worse, with all 80 athletes simultaneously out of contract, CBAs can’t be completed until an eighth license is granted. Netball Australia have stated they have multiple options, and hope to give an update in the next few days. 

 

Welcome to Country on Kabi Kabi land, prior to the Lightning/Magpies game. Image Simon Leonard

 

It’s been a long and exhausting week for the Magpies. Image Simon Leonard.

 

ANPA Chair Geoff Parmenter announced his resignation this week. Along with his daughter Amy (athlete and Tie-Dye Project coordinator), the family have been strong advocates for netball, and Geoff’s wise counsel will be missed. 

After the tumultuous events of the past fortnight, Magpies put in a tremendous effort in their match against Sunshine Coast Lightning before eventually losing 66-62. It was actually one of their best performances of the year. There were emotional scenes after the game, including Lightning’s captain Steph Wood hugging Magpies coach Nicole Richardson. Richardson later went on social media to thank the Lightning team for its support. The two teams shared post match signings, recovery and a team dinner after the match. 

Adelaide Thunderbirds consolidated top spot on the ladder with an exciting 54-53 win over West Coast Fever. It was their second one-goal win this season over Fever. This result continued a bad trend for the defending champions. They’ve lost four of their past six matches, all by just one goal, and all after leading at three quarter time. In fact, so far this season, Fever hasn’t won a single fourth quarter in matches that were close at three quarter time. 

There was a confusing end to the match in Adelaide. With just over two minutes to go, the score was 51-51. Eleanor Cardwell then scored a super shot, but on the TV coverage, Thunderbirds’ score increased by just one goal instead of two. When full time came, there was confusion as the big screens (which showed the TV feed) had a score of 53-53, while the stadium scoreboard showed 54-53 to Thunderbirds. A check with the official scorers then confirmed that the correct score was indeed 54-53, much to the delight of the Thunderbirds team and their fans. 

The score can change how a team approaches the last minute of a game, and Fever coach Dan Ryan was clearly unhappy afterwards. He said, “You can’t have two different scores in the one venue, for the one game in a professional netball competition. And the confusion at the end of the game from broadcast to in-venue was unacceptable.”

NSW Swifts put their hands up as potential champions with a dominant display on Melbourne Vixens’ home court (where the grand final will be played). Swifts won their seventh straight match and joined Thunderbirds on 34 competition points. Swifts are in second place on percentage now, but with both teams meeting lower-ranked opposition in the next two weeks, there’s every chance that the minor premiership will be decided when the two teams meet in the last round in Sydney. 

In the final game of the round, Queensland Firebirds played surely one of their best games for the season with a 68-50 defeat of GIANTS Netball. Level 28-28 at half time, Firebirds ran away with the match in the second half. Despite being off court for a period due to a finger injury, First Nations athlete Donnell Wallam starred in First Nations Round with 44/46, including an outstanding 24/25 in the final quarter.

 

First Nations Round ball, featuring artwork by Krystal Dallinger. Image Kirsten Daley


 

Milestones

Molly Jovic (Magpies) played her 50th National League game.

Geva Mentor (Magpies) played her 100th Suncorp Super Netball game.

Steph Wood (Lightning) played her 100th Suncorp Super netball game. 

April Brandley (GIANTS) played her 150th National League game.

 

April Brandley celebrated her 150th national league match. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah


 

Stats Leaders

Most goals – 54/57 Shimona Nelson (Lightning v Magpies)
Most supershots – 7/10 Sophie Fawns (Vixens v Swifts)
Most goal assists – 24 Liz Watson (Vixens v Swifts) & Lara Dunkley (GIANTS v Firebirds)
Most feeds – 37 Lara Dunkley (GIANTS v Firebirds)
Most gains – 9 Shamera Sterling (Thunderbirds v Fever) & Remi Kamo (GIANTS v Firebirds)
Most intercepts – 5 Remi Kamo (GIANTS v Firebirds)
Most deflections – 12 Sarah Klau (Vixens v Swifts)
Most penalties – 24 Courtney Bruce (Thunderbirds v Fever)
Most turnovers – 8 Maddie Hay (GIANTS v Firebirds)

 

Vixens and Swifts dress detail. Image Kirsten Daley


 

Injuries

Tippah Dwan managed 31 minutes on court, before being forced off after seemingly injuring the same ankle from Round 9. While her time on court directly correlated to the Thunderbirds resurgence, they will be wondering at what cost if it has re-aggravated an old injury.

Tayla Williams left the court with seven minutes remaining, with what appeared to be a knee injury. While Hannah Petty had been standing in the sub box for a while prior to the change being made, Williams called time instead of just ‘rolling’ off court, and she appeared to be limping as she exited. Post match she had ice strapped to the outside of her knee.

Courtney Bruce looked quite distressed after a heavy fall onto her wrist at the end of the second quarter, but Fever and Diamonds fans were relieved when she played out the match with minimal issues. 

Donnell Wallam left the court five minutes into the second quarter after jarring her finger in a contest with Lauren Moore. She came back on at the end of the third quarter, with the finger in question taped. She played the opening rounds of the season with a broken finger, so will no doubt be hoping it’s not as bad as that. 

 

Tayla Williams appeared to hobble off during the game. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media


Break out performance of the round

Training partner Jordan Cransberg made her second Super Netball appearance for Fever, following the Covid related absence of Verity Simmons. In an impressive performance, Cransberg logged 17 goal assists, 1 intercept, 3 pickups for just 2 turnovers. While her penalty count needs work (15), Cransberg looked at home in green, and provided much needed punch in a forward line that struggled under the Thunderbirds defensive pressure. 

Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds took the opportunity to see what her rookies were made of, and Ash Ervin delivered. Facing the difficult task of matching a dominant Shimona Nelson, Ervin nonetheless came up with 6 gains, including 2 intercepts, 2 rebounds and 4 deflections during her 39 minutes on court. With Lightning out of the finals race, expect Ervin to see more court time in the last few games. 

Leesa Mi Mi, proud Wakka Wakka woman, was one of only two Indigenous athletes on court during First Nations Round. She was elevated into the match day 10 for the Queensland Firebirds over Hulita Veve, and started in centre. She played out the majority of the match, and against Jamie-Lee Price no less. She played an exemplary game at centre, filling the gaps around dominant wing attack Lara Dunkley, finishing second for feeds and goal assists with 28 and 18 respectively, as well as one pickup and four deflections. 

 

Wakka Wakka woman Leesa Mi Mi. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah

 

Ash Ervin was one of our Break Out players of the round. Image Simon Leonard


 

Match Reports

 

LIGHTNING 66 def MAGPIES 62

(played on Kabi Kabi land)

By Katrina Nissen

The Collingwood Magpies banded together to deliver a near-victory against a resurgent Sunshine Coast Lightning. The four-point loss was a mere blip in the storyline of Collingwood’s tumultuous season. 

In the opening match of First Nations’ Round, Magpies started energetically, leading by seven at half time. But their consistency crumbled as it has done for much of the season, with the lead evaporating in the third. Lightning exploited this while applying vice-like defence and tidier attack, taking a three goal lead into the final break. 

Collingwood found their fight and managed to bring the match back level with less than two-minutes remaining. However, match MVP, Steph Wood delivered a supershot giving the homeside breathing room. 

Diamond Sophie Garbin had the right of reply at the other end, but delivered an airball instead, as her teary coach Nicole Richardson watched on. Lightning were able to close out the match with a four goal victory: their second in nine rounds. 

As dramatic as the see-sawing nature of the game was, it was nothing compared to the off-court storyline that played out this week. Collingwood Magpies announced they would not be renewing their Super Netball license at season’s end. 

To complicate matters, Super Netball’s broadcast contract is reliant on an eight-club competition. Meaning that until a new licensee is found, all eighty athletes, their coaches and support staff find themselves with career uncertainty. 

Speaking to media before the match Ash Brazill, who announced her retirement earlier this season, said she’s had trouble finding the words to comfort her teammates. Jamaican Shimona Nelson for example, could soon find herself with visa issues.  

After the match, captain Geva Mentor spoke of the implications for her teammates and other franchises. “I want common-sense to prevail,” she said. “I want everyone to get in a room and put egos aside and just nut this out. There are lives at stake now. It’s people who have to pay mortgages, who don’t know where their next income is coming from. We have a whole lot of people who will be unemployed.”

Of the potential visa problems she said, “It is so hard for international players who have visa connected to where they are playing. So what are they to do now? They have got to uproot when they have just been able to settle here for the last three or four years. It is really tricky.”

With their careers hanging in the balance, many Magpies’ athletes put out performances worthy of the best Hollywood casting agent, all in the hopes of catching the eye of Super Netball’s newest coach, whoever that may be. 

Some athletes, like Diamond Garbin, are all but certain to find new contracts. But others, like Molly Jovic, will be carrying doubt for the next few months. However, in her 50th national league match, Jovic more than proved her wares, conceding a tidy three turnovers and collecting one intercept. 

If one positive comes out of this licensing saga, it’s the camaraderie between players. For the two hours of match play, Lightning and Magpies were competitors, but after the final whistle, they banded together to warm down, interact with fans and then share a meal.  

That community-mindedness is something which Mentor highlighted as one of ‘great things’ to come out of all the mess. “As soon as the news broke, netball as a community put their arms around us. We really felt that love from all of the other franchises, CEOs, players and even from overseas as well. It is one thing that is beautiful about out sport.”  

 

Shooting stats

Lightning
Cara Koenen 34/35 (97%)
Steph Wood 26/33 (79%)

Magpies
Shimona Nelson 54/57 (95%)
Sophie Garbin 6/13 (46%)
Kelly Singleton 1/2 (50%)

MVP – Steph Wood

 

Dream Time. Image Simon Leonard

 

Steph Wood at full stretch. Image Simon Leonard

 

Kelsey Browne pops forward for a pass. Image Simon Leonard

 

Deadly footwear. Image Simon Leonard


 

THUNDERBIRDS 54 def FEVER 53

(played on Kaurna land)

by Georgia Doyle

West Coast Fever crossed the Nullabor looking for revenge, having previously fallen short by a solitary goal against Adelaide Thunderbirds in their previous meeting. However, it was unfortunately a bad case of déjà vu for the team in green, as they yet again let a nine goal lead slip to fall just one goal short at the final whistle.

There was confusion at the end of the game, with the in-house scoreboard reading 54-53 at full time, while the broadcast showed a 53 all draw. Both coaches approached the score bench, seeking clarification as to whether or not they had to play on but it was confirmed that the in-house scoreboard was correct, and Thunderbirds had indeed handed Fever their fourth one goal loss this season.

What worked?

Both teams started with somewhat unfamiliar line ups, with Verity Simmons missing for Fever due to COVID protocols while Tippah Dwan started on the bench for Thunderbirds in her first match back following an ankle injury two weeks ago. Fever seemed to adjust better to these changes, jumping out to a fast start thanks to immense defensive pressure that limited Eleanor Cardwell’s impact on the game.

The main avenue to goal was through Georgie Horjus, who got her second start at goal attack, scoring all five of her attempts including a super shot. At the other end, Jhaniele Fowler was using all her tricks to keep Shamera Sterling busy, with dynamic repositioning of her hold meaning Sterling never had long enough to get a good position to contest, leaving her with zero gains for the quarter.

Hannah Petty continues to be one of the best impact players in the league. Traditionally not a role played by the captain, following an injury in pre-season that was re-aggravated in Round 2 she has only started one game but has been injected at crucial moments throughout games. In most cases she comes into centre in favour of Tayla Williams, and in almost all cases she has had immediate impact. In this game she came on with seven minutes remaining, when Thunderbirds were down by two. She picked up a gain in her first 30 second on court, and provided a steadying influence through the middle that helped drag Thunderbirds over the line.

Sunday Aryang was a quiet achiever for Fever, often playing second fiddle to Bruce but this game she had plenty of stats to her name. She finished with four gains and five deflections and didn’t give away any turnovers despite her significant involvement in transitioning ball out of defence. Fever were far too penalised, with a total of 89 compared to Thunderbirds 50, but Aryang was relatively clean with just nine meaning she gave Bruce plenty of protection to work her magic at the back.

Where the match was won and lost?

The injection of Dwan into the game for the second quarter was the catalyst that turned Thunderbirds fortunes. Her dynamic movement meant Courtney Bruce could no longer solely focus on Cardwell, which ultimately allowed her to enter the game. It also meant Horjus was pushed back to her more familiar position of wing attack, with Maisie Nankivell responsible for three turnovers during her time there in the first quarter.

Thunderbirds outscored Fever 6-2 in the opening six minutes of the second quarter. Enter the Adelaide crowd. Always known for being vocal, this match was the most electric it’s been all season. Several times a ‘DEFENCE’ chant echoed from the stands, and five times throughout the game it was powerful enough to aid either a Thunderbirds gain or Fever turnover five times.

Ultimately, as it did in their last meeting it came down to the final moments. Cardwell locked the scores at 51 all with three minutes remaining, and repeated the feat seconds later after Latanya Wilson took an intercept from Alice Teague-Neeld, and after almost losing the ball passing to Sterling who was too busy celebrating in back play. Lucy Austin added a single to give them some breathing room, with a three point lead. Though it could be argued there’s no such thing as breathing room when Sasha Glasgow is on the opposing team.

With the Thunderbirds defence knowing what a threat she was, they double teamed her as though their lives depended on it, forcing Fowler to shoot long for a chance to keep the game alive. But it bounced out and gave Thunderbirds yet another chance. The throw in was a poorly executed pass from Sterling that saw the ball back in Glasgow’s hands, who then pulled a contact call just inside the circle and nailed the shot to bring the margin to just one with 50 seconds remaining but with the centre pass going to Thunderbirds they were able to play possession netball for just long enough to hold off Fever, and secure the one goal victory.

Which players/combinations stood out?

Jordan Cransberg got her first start in Super Netball, in just her second game but it looked as though she could’ve been playing her 50th. Playing across centre and wing defence, she had the highest Nissan Net Point for her side, with 77, courtesy of 17 feeds, one intercept, three pick-ups and only two turnovers. She was hitting the circle edge with ease, using short sharp drives to lose her opponent and wasn’t afraid to let the ball go into Fowler.

Matilda Garrett continues to show why she has earnt her first call up to the Australian Diamonds, doing a phenomenal job at shutting down Sasha Glasgow. While Garrett’s numbers weren’t huge, only finishing with one intercept and one deflection, the way she kept Glasgow out of the game was the difference. She had strong physical pressure which limited Glasgow’s ability to connect with Fowler, and she combined beautifully with Sterling to limit her impact on the super shot, scoring only five from seven, after her record breaking haul of 14 last week – while also forcing Fowler to attempt three shots as she was the only one able to find space to take the super shot.

 

Shooting stats

Thunderbirds
Eleanor Cardwell 29/34 (85%)
Tippah Dwan 10/13 (77%)
Lucy Austin 6/7 (86%)
Georgie Horjus 5/5 (100%)

Fever
Jhaniele Fowler 42/46 (91%)
Sasha Glasgow 6/9 (67%)

MVP Eleanor Cardwell

 

Tilly Garrett was enormously influential, keeping Sasha Glasgow shut out of the game. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media

 

Alice Teague-Neeld was also kept quiet by Latty Wilson (right). Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media

 

Welcome to Country on Kaurna Land. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media

 

Happy Thunderbirds. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media


 

 SWIFTS 70 def VIXENS 62

(played on Wurundjeri land)

By Jenny Sinclair

The NSW Swifts fly home with the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup clutched in one hand, and redemption in the other. Finals bound after narrowly missing out last year, the Swifts healthy eight point victory over the Melbourne Vixens firms them into second on the Super Netball ladder.

Speaking after the match, Akle was delighted that the Swifts secured their finals berth. 

“Yes, I was very nervous that they (Vixens) would come back. It was an 11 goal turn around in that last quarter.”

Season 2023 has been a slow build for the Swifts, having taken time to embed injury replacement Romelda Aiken-George into their shooting line up. Her combination with today’s MVP Helen Housby has finally come to fruition however, just as finals are beckoning. 

Judicious use of Sophie Fawns during the super shot period also contributed, as she nailed seven from 10. She was one of the crucial differences between the sides, as both coaches swung 48 positional changes across the match in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

With 11 internationals spread across the court, Liz Watson started at centre rather than her usual position of wing attack. Her duel with Swifts’ opponent but Diamond’s teammate Paige Hadley, was a  highlight of the first half. The pair ran shoulder to shoulder, giving national coach Stacey Marinkovich plenty of midcourt options come the World Cup. 

Two intercepts by wing defence Tayla Fraser and three supershots by Sophie Fawns helped Swifts take an early lead, but two rookie errors by Vixen defender Jo Weston contributed.

However, with penalties and errors mounting for the Swifts, it wasn’t long before the margin was overhauled. In frustration, Akle gave her team a serve during a timeout. 

“There is no reason to hurl that ball through…be better,” she said. 

Her side responded immediately, forcing Vixens to give up seven consecutive goals. Despite putting a swathe of changes in place, they struggled to make inroads to the margin. 

With the Vixens scoring just three supershots to the Swifts seven by half time, McKinnis called for more from her troops.

She said, “It’s about being brave ourselves. We are capable shooters.” 

Kiera Austin and Mwai Kumwenda attacked the post in response, but it was too little, too late as the Swifts closed the game out.

Converting 79 per cent of their gains into goals during their seventh win on the trot, the Swifts delivered the Vixens’ first loss at home this season.

McKinnis rued what she described as a disappointing result.

“Swifts are a team that will make you pay every time. 

“We just didn’t have that defensive pressure.”

POWER PLAY 

With just percentage points separating the Swifts and the ladder leading Adelaide Thunderbirds, the race to hosting the major semi-final will be enthralling. Both clubs face teams that sit outside the top four in the next two rounds, but it’s their final clash in Round 14 that will most likely determine where they both sit at season’s end.  

RAHNI’S NOT RIGHT

Vixens announced this week that long bomb specialist Rahni Samason won’t return for the rest of the 2023 season. It leaves Vixens seriously underdone in the shooting end, with only Kiera Austin and Mwai Kumwenda logging any significant court time. Injury replacement Kim Borger gained just four minutes today, for one goal.

WITHOUT WALLACE 

Trinidad & Tobago international Sam Wallace had been a long term stalwart under the post for the Swifts until she sustained a severe ACL injury in Round 1, 2022. Just last week it was announced that due to post surgical complications, Wallace wouldn’t return to court at all this season. With all players off contract in September, and Romelda Aiken-George playing her role as the ultimate injury replacement, what does it mean for Wallace’s future?

 

Shooting Stats

Swifts
Romelda Aiken-George 29/34 (85%)
Helen Housby 19/21 (90%)
Sophie Fawns 12/16 (75%)

Vixens
Mwai Kumwenda 35/41 (85%)
Kiera Austin 18/27 (67%)
Kim Borger 1/2 (50%)

MVP – Helen Housby

 

Sophie Fawns super shot prowess in action, despite strong pressure by the Vixens. Image Kirsten Daley

 

Maddy Turner lunges for the ball headed to Mwai Kumwenda. Image Kirsten Daley

 

Kate Moloney on the drive. Image Kirsten Daley

 

Sarah Klay keeps it clean against Mwai Kumwenda. Image Kirsten Daley


 

FIREBIRDS 68 def GIANTS 50

(on Wangal land)

 

Queensland Firebirds put together an electric four quarter performance to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder. Both teams were on relatively even terms until midway through the third quarter, when the Firebirds asserted their authority. As the Giants unravelled, they were only able to score 12 goals to the Firebirds 24 in the last term, completing a miserable day at the office. 

Noongar woman Donnell Wallam and Wakka Wakka woman Leesa Mi Mi started at goal shooter and centre respectively for the Firebirds. While Wallam notched up her 1000th goal in just her second season of Super Netball, Mi Mi also shone. In her first start at this level, she provided great connection between her attacking and defensive ends of the court, finishing with 18 goal assists and three deflections. 

A scare went through the camp however, when Wallam injured one of her fingers in the second quarter, and spent 22 minutes on the bench. She was later reinstated into the game and was able to finish it out. 

Goal keeper Remi Kamo was superb for the Firebirds, shutting down the returning Jo Harten and then later Matisse Letherbarrow. She finished with 9 gains, and was well supported by Ruby Bakewell-Doran on four. 

While Jamie-Lee Price was busy for the Giants, it was a subpar performance from most of the team, and a difficult way to celebrate April Brandley’s 150th national league appearance. 

Giants gave away 28 turnovers across most of the court, with Maddie Hay (8) and Sophie Dwyer (6) the chief culprits. 

Brandley was in vintage form, finishing with 4 gains, while Price threw herself at everything in an attempt to stem the one way tide. 

 

Shooting stats

Firebirds
Donnell Wallam 44/48 (92%)
Emily Moore 11/12 (91%)
Mia Stower 10/12 (83%)

Giants
Jo Harten 25/27 (93%)
Sophie Dwyer 13/19 (68%)
Matisse Letherbarrow 9/9 (100%)

MVP Remi Kamo

 

Umpire and First Nations woman, Jordan Kiss. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah

 

Remi Kamo was best for her side. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah

 

Jamie-Lee Price continues her good form. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah

 

Will McCloy, Sharon Finnan-White and Kim Green at the First Nations Round match in Sydney. Finnan-White was the second Indigenous Diamond. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah


 

Quotes Corner

 

Tania Obst, Thunderbirds Head Coach

Overall match thoughts

“Last week we moved on quickly, we identified that there were two areas of our game that put us in trouble at half time. From Monday it was all about Fever, and they play a different style of defence to Vixens which we took some time to adjust to in the first quarter, and they were very clinical with their ball which gets us eight down. But we made the adjustments, and were able to then play how we’d been planning to play”

“If we were going into overtime, I reckon I was walking out but it’s a great ride. I said to the girls before the game and during the game that this mob, this crowd, will get us over the line if we give them something to cheer about and I thought our crowd and fans were fantastic tonight. The full house, and the noise that was coming from the stands must lift you on the court.”

On Hannah Petty’s impact role this season

Impact player, that’s probably Hannah’s role, she’s had a really fantastic pre-season, she was the fittest in the group at the end of pre-season and then copped that ankle injury in Bendigo and has really been in chase mode since then. She’s very valuable to what we do with her experience and versatility in centre or wing defence – we need her to do what she did when she came onto court. It’s the injury that’s really knocked her about, she then did the ankle again [in Round 2] and picked up the quad injury [two weeks ago].

But we’ll keep managing her how we need to. She hasn’t had the court time, so it would be really unfair to throw her out in that environment [starting the match] when she hasn’t had a lot of that time this year. So we need to work with what’s best for her, and Tayla Williams is doing a pretty good job so we need to reward her. Hannah is absolutely impacting when she comes on, that’s what I’d expect from her, she’s the ultimate team person. When she does go on court she knows exactly what she has to do and when she’s been out there she’s been executing it”

On Lucy Austin’s calmness in the chaotic final 10 minutes

“I love that girl, she’ll be the death of me I reckon though. But she is fantastic, she was really calm and again we’ve spoken to her, we thought she might get on, not being sure what was happening with Tippah coming back – she was ready to go but she had that tweak again. Lucy was very clear in what she had to do, she’s just a kid who wants to do well and doesn’t get overawed by what’s happening. She executed that fantastically and you don’t get that experience without getting out there and doing it. She wanted to nail that last one, but at the end of the day we still got the result at the end. She was fantastic and did exactly what she needed to do.”

 

Dan Ryan, Fever Head Coach

Overall thoughts on the game

“Disappointed, they certainly wore us down as the game went on and on and credit to them to get over the line in the end we just didn’t have enough steam in our legs in the end to hold on. A very disappointing loss, not what we were looking for tonight”

“It’s really important that these moments do harden us and galvanise us and ensure that they are worth something in the end game so while disappointing to lose by one here, we might get another chance at this team and that’s where we really want to make sure we get it right”

On the repeated one point losses

“It’s about closing out the game, and what that looks like for us from a work rate and structural perspective, because we’re doing everything right in these games that we’re losing by one goal to get ourselves in a winning position, we’re just not finishing it off. If we’d lost the game by five, or six it would be a different conversation but we’re doing everything right to a point and just lacking that finish at the moment. We know we’re absolutely capable, we have what we need to do that and that’s just where we need to get it right for the full 60 minutes”

“I’d love another shot at every team we’ve lost to by one point, we’re taking a lot out of these losses as difficult as they are to cop on the chin, it’s the reality of high performance sport and it comes with the territory. But we know, come finals, that’s the game where you absolutely need to get it right. At the moment we’re learning lessons the hard way but hopefully it’s worth something in the long run”

On the high penalty count, 89-50

“We didn’t adjust as the game went on, and were probably caught with too many penalties outside the circle which released too much pressure for our circle defenders. It was a highly contested game from both sides but we wanted to have a mentality of grinding accumulated pressure, you can’t get that when you’re out of play. We haven’t been that heavily penalised all season, so we need to look at that and be smarter with what we’re contesting”

On Jordan Cransberg’s performance

“She’s a great young talent, and I think she handled the occasion really well all things considered, it being her first start at Suncorp Super Netball. She absolutely for most parts of the game matched it and held her own, there were some parts where she got exposed a little bit but she always responded really well from those moments. It was a huge ask for her, she played a great role for the team.”

 

Hannah Petty hasn’t been getting much court time, but has been playing the ultimate captain’s game. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media


 

Ladder

(Team . Pts . %)

Thunderbirds . 34 . 109.65%
Swifts . 34 . 104.54%
Fever . 28 . 111.57%
Vixens . 28 . 103.60% 

Lightning . 16 . 99.26%
GIANTS . 16 . 96.67%
Firebirds . 12 . 90.33%
Magpies . 8 . 88.03%

 


 

Next Round

All matches will be shown live on Fox Sport and Kayo Sports. Sunday matches will be available on Kayo Freebies for those who don’t have a subscription

Sat, Jun 3 – 5pm – Magpies v Thunderbirds
Sat, Jun 3 – 7pm – Fever v Lightning (5pm local time)
Sun, Jun 4 – 2pm – Swifts v GIANTS
Sun, Jun 4 – 4pm – Firebirds v Vixens

 

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