NS Scoreboard: SSN Round 2 2024

“It has been really exciting getting to 50 games. I think I got to 50 games a lot quicker than most people do. I have had an amazing journey. I know that I have so much more to give to the sport. So, 50 games down but hopefully many more to come.” – Sophie Dwyer on reaching 50 national league games

Gabby Sinclair compiling her 50th national league game. Image May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography

Injuries

Teigan O’Shannassy (Swifts) – hip

LET’S TALK ABOUT:

News of the Week

In Round Two, there were some incidents which involved contact to the head of a player. Under the new rules around dangerous play set down by World Netball, even if these contacts were unintentional, players could have been sent from the court for two minutes. At the moment, there seems to be some inconsistency with how this is being umpired when compared to the ANZ Premiership in New Zealand, where a number of players have already been suspended.

: Liv Lewis chats to the umpires. Image: May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography via Netball Scoop)

: Amy Parmenter and Maddy Proud had a heavy collision in the second half. Image: May Bailey.

Super Netball has yet to see any suspensions, despite several hits to the head. Image Simon Leonard.

Courtney Bruce revealed in a Fox Netball episode of Off the Court, that she’s been struggling with depression over the last couple of years and was often in tears on her way to or from training. While Bruce was also seeking to improve her game after 13 years at one club, supporting her mental health played a big part in her move. She said, “It was a really tough decision…I was trying to find that balance, trying to find what makes me happy away from the court.” Bruce chose to link up with her former coach and mentor of the past 16 years, Bel Reynolds, while enjoying the lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast.

Courtney Bruce received a warm welcome from the crowd, and later exchanged giggles with former training partner turned opponent, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, as they tried to block off the transverse line. Image Clinton Bradbury/Art from Sweat

Australia’s inaugural Invitational First Nations team will be competing at the Pacific Netball Series later this year. Congratulations to:

Shooters: Tully Bethune (Wiradjuri), Olivia Clark (Kamilaroi), Lily Cubby (Murrawari), Jamaica Jauncy (Yawuru)
Midcourt: Kiera Heffernan (Pintupi-Luritja & Arrente), Courtney Jones (Biripi), Brianna Martyn (Kulilli), Jayden Molo (Wunyi)
Defenders: Tegan Holland (Kamilaroi), Scarlet Jauncey (Yawuru), Brook Lacey (Ewamian), Aaleya Turner (Kaurna)

Coaches: TBA

The rookies

In just her second game, young Vixens’ midcourter Zara Walters had a real battle on her hands against the Thunderbirds. Her opponent for most of the game was Latanya Wilson, who has shut down far more experienced players than Walters in the past few seasons. Wilson certainly made life tough for Walters, but although she had seven turnovers, she never shirked the task. She was still able to finish the game with 27 centre-pass receives, 13 goal assists and four crucial pickups.

Zara Walters on full stretch. Image: Shaun Sharp

Ava Black (Lightning) also performed well in a side that lost heavily. While Alice Teague-Neeld definitely had the better of her, Black finished with 2 gains in her contribution to Lightning’s defensive efforts.

The shooting circle

The familiar Swifts combination of Samantha Wallace-Joseph and Helen Housby were dynamite in their home win over the Mavericks. The Trindad and Tobago goal shooter is still building back to her best after a knee injury, unfazed by the magic jump of Olivia Lewis, shooting 38 goals at 100%. Wallace-Joseph kept turning and shooting directly from anywhere in the circle, with only a rare thought to feed the ball back out to gain better balance for the shot.

However, it was Fever’s supershooters who set the round alight, notching up 81 points in their record breaking margin over the Lightning. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was close to perfect, with 66/68, and including three supershots. Lightning didn’t have any answers to goal attack Shanice Beckford, whose connection with Fowler-Nembhard was untouchable. Beckford ran rings around her opponents as she finished with 29 feeds, 18 centre pass receives, and an intercept, for a return of 8/12.

Shanice Beckford about to put a shot up, with teammate Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard urging her on. Image Clinton Bradbury/Art from Sweat

The midcourt

Two midcourts outshone the rest this week, with their clinical efforts helping to pave the way for victory. The Firebirds trio of Lara Dunkley, Macy Gardner and Hulita Veve, and the Fever four of Alice Teague-Neeld, Kelsey Browne, Jess Anstiss and Jordan Cransberg had a turnover count of just three. Giving up such limited opportunities to their opposition, especially in long court transition, made it difficult for their winning margins to be eroded.

In the absence of Liz Watson, current Vixens captain Kate Moloney has stepped up – big time! When playing alongside her former co-captain, Moloney used to play a perfect role at centre – acting as a link between the feeding brilliance of Watson and the Vixens’ defenders. While rookie Zara Walters has performed admirably at wing attack, Moloney has taken the game into her own hands. This week she recorded 26 feeds, 1 gain and a notable 6 pickups, all for just one turnover.

Kate Moloney has been leading Vixens from the front – as always. Image Shaun Sharp/Moments By Shaun

The defenders

Once again, the Thunderbirds’ back three were on fire in their clash with Vixens, and there’s no doubt that at times, they had the Vixens’ attacking players spooked, making them very hesitant. The three defenders combined for 21 possession gains, made up of 14 intercepts, four deflections with gain, and three rebounds. Shamera Sterling-Humphrey led the way with 11 gains on her own.

Shamera Sterling comes up with another gain for her side. Image Shaun Sharp/Moments By Shaun

Sunday Aryang (Fever) has taken her game to new heights in Courtney Bruce’s absence. Aryang shone again in Round 2, with 7 gains, including six intercepts, during her 50 minutes out on court. She left the court briefly after an awkward splits landing, but was able to return after some time on the bench.

Tactics

Vixens moved like a well-oiled machine in their round 2 match. Goal attack Kiera Austin took the bulk of their centre passes, with second phase taken predominantly by either their wing attack (Walters) or centre (Moloney), allowing Austin to drop back and time her entry into the circle.

In contrast, Mavericks had different attacking lines. Their wing attack (Tayla Fraser and Maisie Nankivell) took most of the centre passes, with second phase taken by an increasing number of players – nine of their ten in the last quarter. It was perhaps shared around to take the pressure off a tired looking Eleanor Cardwell, who is having to spend a lot of time at goal attack following Sasha Glasgow’s injury.

Eleanor Cardwell has eyes only for the ball, but was visibly frustrated at times during the match. Image May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography

Stat of the week

When Swifts’ Helen Housby missed with a super shot attempt in the third quarter of their match against Mavericks, it was her first miss from two-point territory since the third quarter of last year’s Grand Final. Up to that point, she had landed 17 straight super shots without a miss. After this round, her record this season now stands at 15 super shots from 17 attempts at 88%. Sophie Dwyer of the Giants has also scored 15 super shots, but from 23 attempts.

Swifts are generally known for their consistency, and they certainly proved it this week, recording 75% for their centre pass conversion rate, gains conversion rate, and turnover conversion rate.

Helen Housby is unparalleled when it comes to the two point shot. Image May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography

In an interesting statistic, three of the top four ranked teams currently have the highest turnover rate in the competition. Vixens (2nd place on the ladder) have the most at 42 for two rounds, while Firebirds (3rd) have the 4th most turnovers, and Thunderbirds (4th) have the 2nd most turnovers. The only outlier is Fever, currently ranked 1st on the ladder and also lowest for turnovers.

Have Fever become Lightning’s nemesis? The Sunshine Coast team have won just one of their last 11 outings against the club.

Cara Koenen kept at bay by a wall of Fever defence. Image: Clinton Bradbury

Rolling stat of the season

Thunderbirds have notched up 40 possession gains in their first two games. That is 14 more than any other team in the competition. And incredibly, 39 of those 40 have come from just three players; Matilda Garrett with six, Latanya Wilson with 12, and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey with an amazing 21. In fact, Sterling-Humphrey on her own, has more gains at this stage than four of the teams in the league.

Gains after first 2 rounds:
40 . Thunderbirds
26 . Fever
26 . Vixens
21 . Firebirds
20 . Mavericks
17 . Giants
17 . Lightning
16 . Swifts

At the other end of the court, there seems to have been a change of plan for the Thunderbirds. With Eleanor Cardwell in the team last year, there was significant use of the super shot, but so far this year, there has seemingly been a reluctance to go for two-pointers. After two rounds, they’ve scored just two super shots from four attempts, while their opponents, Firebirds and Vixens, have scored a combined 17/26. While they were able to hold on against Firebirds (just), the lack of super shots hurt them against Vixens. In the first two rounds, Thunderbirds have outscored their opponents 83-67 during regular play, but been outscored 33-49 when the super shot has been available.

Em Mannix passes off against Thunderbirds pressure. Image Shaun Sharp/Moments By Shaun

The games

For the second week in a row, the Queensland Firebirds had fans on the edge of their seats as they battled right to the final whistle. This time, they got over the line, securing a narrow victory over Giants Netball, 65-62. Firebirds blew out of the gate, opening the match with a 21-11 quarter before settling into a steady rhythm. They fended off a late charge from the visitors thanks to a last-minute intercept by Ruby Bakewell-Doran, which was converted by Donnell Wallam. The Diamonds’ goal shooter was the top scorer slotting 53/60 including two supershots. Despite playing 30 minutes last week, captain Kim Ravaillion sat on the bench for this match, as the Firebirds made no changes.

The double jump by Remi Kamo and Ruby Bakewell-Doran, as they attempt to shut down Sophie Dwyer’s long shot. Image Simon Leonard.

Melbourne Vixens had to dig deep and withstand a defensive onslaught from the Adelaide Thunderbirds, before eventually coming out 54-53 winners in a thriller in Melbourne. Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (11), Latanya Wilson (6), and Matilda Garrett (4) combined for 21 possession gains and clearly had the Vixens’ attack end rattled for much of the game. But led by captain Kate Moloney, the home side toughed it out and found a way through it. After struggling for periods of the first three quarters, Vixens’ goal attack Kiera Austin was outstanding in the final 15 minutes and lifted her team over the line. The lack of super shots from the visitors ultimately hurt them, as Vixens kept their unbeaten record intact against the Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena.

Sophie Garbin’s new kicks. Image Shaun Sharp/Moments By Shaun

Courtney Bruce received a warm welcome back to RAC Arena, but even the superstar defender couldn’t prevent West Coast Fever from adding another big scalp, winning the match 81-56. Touted early on as premiership contenders, Sunshine Coast Lightning were outplayed in every position as they recorded their biggest ever defeat by Fever. They gave away 21 turnovers to the Fever’s miserly 10, as they were forced into errors throughout the court. Sunday Aryang put in an MVP performance with 7 gains, while Fever’s attacking connections were on point. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard showed that she’s added the supershot to her repertoire, sinking three long bombs during the match. After losing big name players in the off-season, some were predicting a slide down the ladder for Fever, but the new players have fitted in perfectly so far.

Courtney Bruce does her very best to put Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard off her shot. Image Clinton Bradbury/Art from Sweat

NSW Swifts’ fans were in fine voice for the first home game of the season, and their team rewarded them with awesome defensive energy in the first half, establishing a 14-goal advantage over Mavericks. After a round one loss and self-described “tough love” at training this week, Sarah Klau’s incredible footwork lifted to cover every lead from British import shooter Eleanor Cardwell. Swifts’ tight, unified team defence blocked the middle channel and top of the circle to eliminate all options for the visitors. Pass selection and execution by player of the match Paige Hadley was exceptional throughout, aided by the well-timed leads and multiple offers from the attack line. The consistent, clinical style of Swifts couldn’t be maintained for the whole match – Mavericks had a better second half, squeezing out more turnovers and causing some undisciplined play. The Victorians’ connections in attack improved, letting the shooters do less work and play to their strengths. The flair and unpredictability of Olivia Lewis and Kim Jenner in defence gave some glimpses of what may be to come later in the season. Swifts had a brilliant 94% from one-point range, and supershot queens Helen Housby and Gabi Sinclair each only missed one each from range in the power five.

Sarah Klau manages to frustrate a pass into Eleanor Cardwell. Image May Bailey/Clusterpix Sports Photography

Hulita Veve looks for the pass. Image: Simon Leonard

Hulita Veve took three intercepts. Image: Simon Leonard

Quotes Corner

Hulita Veve – Firebirds wing defence

On keeping Chelsea Pitman to only 7 goal assists.

“I think it is the work of our defensive unit. I think we gelled from the start, and that really helped. It is never an individual job; it is the people around you as well. Full credit goes to my defensive team.”

Bec Bulley – Firebirds Head Coach

on the Firebirds composure when Giants mounted the fightback

“We knew that would be the case. We knew that they would be taking their supershots. So it was about us remaining calm, sticking to the game plan, and withstanding that pressure. And we did it. We kept the scoreboard ticking over. We had some great desperation. H (Hulita) was always there as the backup reset option. And when we got our opportunities, we were really patient and scored then as well.”

Julie Fitzgerald – Giants Head Coach

On Sophie Dwyer’s career so far

“I think it is so exciting. When you think of how young she is and the milestones that she has already reached. I think she is going to be a superstar of the future.”

Sophie Dwyer puts up a supershot in her 50th national league match. Image: Simon Leonard

Ladder

Team / Pld / Pts / %
1 . FEVER . 2 . 8 . 136.4
2 . VIXENS . 2 . 8 . 107.0
3 . FIREBIRDS . 2 . 4 . 101.6
4 . THUNDERBIRDS . 2 . 4 . 100.0
—
5 . SWIFTS . 2 . 4 . 96.3
6 . LIGHTNING . 2 . 4 . 93.8
7 . MAVERICKS . 2 . 0 . 86.7
8 . GIANTS . 2 . 0 . 85.2

Next Round

Sat, Apr 27 – 5:00 pm – LIGHTNING v THUNDERBIRDS
Sat, Apr 27 – 7:00 pm – MAVERICKS v FEVER
Sun, Apr 28 – 2:00 pm – FIREBIRDS v SWIFTS
Sun, Apr 28 – 4:00 pm – GIANTS v VIXENS