Super Netball Round 13 Wrap

Ellie Wilmore

Swifts vs Lightning

It’s blow after blow for the Swifts, having lost last week and now again this week, in an extremely close game with the Lightning. This is the smallest point difference possible, only 1 point between the two teams, a score of 71-70. This doesn’t do too much to the Swift’s position though, with a 4 point difference between them and third place. Those below them in 3rd, 4th and 5th still have to win another 1 or 2 games in order to tie the Swifts, and that's if they keep losing. Both of these teams this week played extremely well, determined to get the win, but the Lightning was just that bit more desperate and came out on top. This match was incredibly intense, the winning goal being scored in the last 5 seconds of the game! And it was a super shot, only just allowing the Lightning to snag the win from the grasp of the Swifts. It was followed by a few desperate passes to the other side of the court, but it was far too close to the end of the game to make a difference, and the Lightning held on for a well-deserved win that allows them to keep fighting for a position in the top four, just underneath the Thunderbirds. Cara Koenen, the player of the match for the Lightning, was “Very proud of our fight back,” After mentioning that they “Started off a bit slow.” 

Thunderbirds vs Mavericks

This game wasn't nearly as close as the previous, with an 11 point difference between the Thunderbirds and the Mavericks. The Thunderbirds took the win this week, with a score of 60-49. This keeps the Thunderbirds on an equal overall score with the Lightning. The Lightning are currently at the same points tally as the Thunderbirds, making them the most likely team to steal fourth away from them. Latanya Wilson was the Thunderbirds' player of the match this week, playing a highly defensive role in the team, usually in positions of Wing Defence, Goal Defence or Goalkeeper. She has only played 13 games thus far, but already has 39 interceptions to her name, 9 of which came from this game, as well as 9 deflections! She’s sure to score a lot of points for herself this season. She’s very humble, stating that “I can’t take the credit for myself, I feel like my team has done the work in front of me to allow me to fly.” And fly she does, playing a big part in helping the Thunderbirds take the win this week. 

Vixens vs Firebirds

This game was nearly as close as the first of this round, with the Vixens and the Firebirds ending up with only 2 points between them. The Vixens did however take the win with a score of 64-62. This game was incredibly close, which just shows the spirit that the Firebirds are showing, nearly overcoming the team currently in third place on the ladder, despite being in 8th place themselves. It was an uphill battle for the team, and they just couldn’t quite beat it. Lucy Austin was this game’s player of the match, and stated, “Massive credit to the Firebirds, they came out firing! It was great practice for us to work the ball around in the end and come away with the win!” A massive success for the Vixens, and a devastatingly close loss for the Firebirds. 

Fever vs Giants

The Fever have grabbed yet another win, securing themselves as the minor premiers, and further extending their current consecutive win record to 11, another incredible feat to accomplish! The point difference was quite large, with a gap of 17 between the teams at the end of the game. The final score was 73-56. Whilst this makes no change to the ladder’s positions itself, the Fever have made sure that the Swifts are going to have to put in even more effort to take back their top spot, as they now sit 8 points adrift. The Giants are still in the bottom half of the ladder, and this loss doesn’t change too much for them currently, if anything perhaps ensuring they cannot make it to the top 4 anytime soon. Sunday Aryang, the Goal Defence and Wing Defence, was the player of the match, who, as Stacey Francis-Bayman states, had her best performance this season. “3 intercepts, 4 rebounds, 4 deflections!” Aryang responds to this achievement, reminiscing on difficulties experienced in prior matches. “The previous game, it’s just been a hard grind, shutting down the Goal Attack, or the opponent I’m on. For this game, I could go flying for the ball which was nice.”

Ladder

The ladder has had no changes this week compared to last, aside from the points tallies themselves.

The Fever still stands in first place with 44 points and a percentage of 110.32%

The Swifts are in second place with 36 points and a percentage of 107.46%

The Vixens are still in third, with 32 points and a percentage of 101.52%.

The Thunderbirds are currently in fourth, with a score of 28 and a percentage of 105.22%

Also on 28 points is the Lightning, but their percentage, 102.32%, keeps them below the Thunderbirds, in fifth place.

The Mavericks are in sixth place, with a score of 16 points and a percentage of 94.81%

The Giants are in seventh, with their score being 16 and their percentage being 90.79%.

The Firebirds are in eighth place, still at a score of 8, and their percentage being 89.6%

Upcoming Games

On the 12th of July, the Giants go up against the Melbourne Mavericks at 5pm. Also on the 12th of July is the Adelaide Thunderbirds going up against the Sunshine Coast Lightning at 7pm.

On the 13th of July, the Queensland Firebirds go up against the New South Wales Swifts at 2pm. Also on the 13th of July is the West Coast Fever going up against the Melbourne Vixens at 4pm.

All times are in Australian Eastern Standard time. 

Next week is sure to be an intense next few games, especially for the Lightning and the Thunderbirds, both battling for the position in the top 4. Next week is the certain decider of which of these two teams will be making it in the top 4, seeing as they are both currently standing on the same amount of points! And then there’s the Fever going up against the Vixens, a scary opponent- will they be the ones to break the Fever’s relentless winning streak? All will be answered in the next round of Suncorp Super Netball!