A Diamond reminded the world who she is, the Swifts’ build continued, a focus on super shots hurt the Giants and a Firebird took her chance.
Here are the big talking points out of round eight of Super Netball.
Austin saves sparkling best for Fever
Kiera Austin not-so-quietly reminded the netball world why she’s next in line – maybe even first right now – for the Diamonds’ starting goal attack bib at the World Cup with a powerful MVP performance in her side’s one-goal win over the Fever on Sunday.
Austin saved her most impressive game of the season yet for the grudge match against West Coast at John Cain Arena, amassing 129.5 Net Points, her best in 2023 by more than 40.
She shot a personal season-high 23 regular goals and one clutch super shot on the final whistle to help her side maintain its unbeaten record at home. She also had just one turnover in the 74-73 win.
Paired with Mwai Kumwenda at shooter, 25-year-old Austin equalled her season-best for goal assists (13) and gains (2).
She snagged two vital intercepts – one in the second and another in the third – and had four deflections to maintain her reputation as one of the game’s best defensive attackers.
The pulsating win by the Vixens in Kate Moloney’s 150th national game saw Fever lose top spot to the Thunderbirds.
Coach Simone McKinnis said defensive pressure was key to the win, as was a 100% centre-pass-to-goal conversion rate in the last quarter.
“From our attack line, through the back line … that defensive pressure was brilliant and we got some good balls,” she said.
McKinnis also praised her players for “sticking at it, no matter what”.
“Those super shots getting shot, left, right and centre against us … is hard. And it’s really important that you don’t let them get into your head. We just stuck to our game, what we needed to do, and finished it out. So I’m really pleased,” McKinnis said.
Swifts’ ‘build’ to finals continues
The NSW Swifts laid another foundation for a title tilt on Sunday with a solid 67-63 win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning at Ken Rosewall Arena, the fourth win on the trot for Briony Akle’s side.
Akle – or maybe it’s “Briony the Builder” – said post-game the Swifts are building every round.
“To build a premiership takes time and I certainly think we are getting better every single week and we want to be peaking towards that finals time,” she said.
Akle said there’s still more to do in attack, despite the growing confidence and volume of Sam Wallace replacement Romelda Aiken-George, who finished with 38/47, six rebounds and two gains.
“There’s things that we can fix instantly down there … it’s just being disciplined with the ball and playing that patient, Swift way.
“Romelda, she’s done a great job. She stands up every single week. She’s got two defenders on her, gets some really good rebounds, takes a lot of knocks and she comes back next week,” Akle said.
Shooter Helen Housby – who shot 22/25, including seven super shots – told Fox Netball’s Pivot the Swifts have got their mojo back.
“Obviously it’s nice to win by more than one, we’ve struggled for that the last couple of weeks,” she said referring to three straight close wins.
“I’m really pleased with the girls. I thought we built really well into that game and we put ourselves into a position where we weren’t under pressure at the end of the game, which is nice,” Housby said.
The Swifts face the biggest road trip in Super Netball next week, heading to Perth to take on a West Coast Fever no doubt keen to get back on the winners’ list after falling to the Melbourne Vixens.
Focus on super shot costs Giants
The proverb “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” suggests it’s better to “hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by trying to get something better”. But it’s a lesson seemingly lost on the Giants.
Julie Fitzgerald’s side blew a chance to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday with an obstinate focus on super shots, despite continued low accuracy from Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer from distance in the match.
The pair took 20 super shot attempts across the game and nailed just five for a return of 10 and an accuracy rate of 25%. Six of the 15 misses resulted in the Thunderbirds scoring.
In the last quarter, behind by just two, the pair attempted – and missed – three super shots in a row in the space of 32 seconds before finally relenting and putting in a single.
Even though the Giants retained the ball amid the myriad of misses, they burned time and fuelled the Thunderbirds’ defensive confidence.
Later in the period, again with just two in it, Harten then Dwyer attempted super shots and failed. Dwyer’s miss saw the Thunderbirds go three up seconds later and four soon after. Then the siren sounded with the scoreboard showing 54-50.
In contrast, the Thunderbirds – who copped a spray from coach Tania Obst a few minutes into the third after the Giants went on a 5-0 run – were circumspect with the use of the super shot, putting up nine and scoring four.
Given Harten and Dwyer went into the last quarter on 1/5 super shot form in the third, it was a surprise to see no change in the approach, especially given Adelaide wasn’t piling them on.
‘Phenomenal’ Veve takes her chance
The Queensland Firebirds’ 73-67 win over Collingwood on Saturday – that proved Bec Bulley’s side can “put out a great performance against any team in this competition” – featured a “phenomenal” 30 minutes from midcourter Hulita Veve.
Veve, who has replaced the injured Macy Gardner, continued the scintillating form that saw her dominate the PacificAus Sports Series on the Gold Coast last week, where she captained Tonga to the title.
The 27-year-old, named joint player of the Pacific tournament, came on at centre at half-time against the Pies with her side two goals down.
She hit the ground running against an in-form Molly Jovic and finished with an intercept, 10 goal assists, 14 feeds (10 with an attempt) and eight second-phase receives.
Coach Bec Bulley said she wanted more defensive pressure in the second half, so moved Kim Ravaillion to wing defence and 178cm Veve into the middle.
“Hulita came on and did a phenomenal job. She knows how to play against that zone defence and she did an unbelievable job,” Bulley said.
“She has been a training partner for this environment for a very long time, and so I’m absolutely thrilled she’s got an opportunity and she’s stepped up and taken it with two hands.”
Bulley said Gardner, who broke her wrist last round against the Melbourne Vixens and is set to miss six weeks, is “still very much an integral part” of the team.
“We hope she can get back … let’s see what happens (but) H (Hulita) did a great job and I’m sure we’ll see her on the floor again.”
