Two controversial calls in the final moments of Saturday’s Super Netball Sydney derby have handed the NSW Swifts a 64-67 win over heartbroken Giants.
The Swifts were just one point ahead with two minutes on the clock at Ken Rosewall Arena, when Giants mid-courter Maddie Hay caught a fingertip steal that could have given her team a crucial goal with the Swifts due to take the next centre pass.
But the umpire called contact and handed possession back to the Swifts, who converted to take a two-point lead.
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Boos rung out through the 7,000-strong Sydney crowd when moments later, a second call in a similar scenario went the way of the red dresses, leaving a frustrated Hay shaking her head. From there, the Swifts clung onto possession for the win.
“I felt some of the calls in the final quarter could have gone either way. It’s disappointing to come out on the wrong side of those calls in a game that is goal-for-goal, that alters the result,” said Giants captain Jo Harten after the siren.
“At this level, things are 50-50 and calls can go either way,” said Swifts coach Briony Akle.
“It’s a local derby, it’s always going to be physical, both teams desperately want to win. I thought it was a really good, tough game of netball.”
DOOMSDAY FOR GIANTS?
The Giants swapped out their usual orange uniform to wear charcoal dresses for the round seven clash – a fitting colour to mark a mournful fifth loss in their disappointing season.
Despite multiple momentum swings, the Giants looked in control in the final quarter and watched the game slip away in the dying seconds.
Diamonds trio Hadley, Klau and Proud, who were announced as part of the Australian World Cup squad this week, won the battle of the midcourt for the Swifts. They dominated their Australian team mates and Giants counterparts Price, Parmenter and Dwyer.
It bodes badly for the Giants at the midpoint of the Super Netball season, who despite a handful of close finishes have only recorded two wins and sit in equal second from the bottom of the ladder.
“We have to learn to win again. Having that confidence to finish at the end when it gets really tight,” said Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald.
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A ROSE BEHIND ENEMY LINES
England Roses head coach Jess Thirlby was seated conspicuously on the sideline to enjoy the Saturday night blockbuster.
Her plane ticket was likely booked before Monday, when Roses veteran Jo Harten declared she would retire from international netball – a decision many attribute to the niggling knee injury she has nursed since having surgery in pre-season.
With only one shooter to observe for potential England World Cup selection on court – the Swifts’ Helen Housby – attention now turns to Thirlby’s likely attendance at Sunday’s match between the West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning. Fever’s shooter Sasha Glasgow is still a chance to go to South Africa wearing England red, after missing out on Diamonds’ selection this week.
Thunderbirds Super Goal takes down Fever | 01:46
Melbourne Vixens 72 defeated Queensland Firebirds 60
The Melbourne Vixens arrested a midseason slump following a convincing 12 point win over Super Netball’s current wooden spooners. In danger of having their 2023 season derailed after consecutive away losses, the Vixens got out of jail after trailing for a chunk of the match.
Speaking after the match, Vixens’ coach Simone McKinnis rued her side’s slow start, describing it as stagnant and one-dimensional.
“It was a reminder that if you want to get back into this game, and back onto the winner’s list, you have to do what you have to do.
“There is no easy way.”
She went on to describe the victory, after a series of close games, as a springboard to the rest of the Vixens’ season.
The Melbourne side lacked confidence early on, but a 45 point second half showed the dominance that took them to last year’s grand final.
Both sides started with different line-ups than usual. Vixens were forced into change due to an injury to wing defence Kate Eddy, while Firebirds rewarded the seven who masterminded last week’s inaugural win of the season.
The Firebirds’ strategy was simple – a quickly released high ball to find Donnell Wallam under the post. Despite being regularly double-teamed, the Diamonds’ squad member was mostly up to the challenge. She finished as the highest scorer on court with 51/53 at 91 per cent accuracy.
However, the Vixens’ short, patient approach also paid dividends, as they snuck out to a narrow lead by the end of the first.
The second quarter saw a change in form, as Firebird defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran stuck to Kiera Austin like superglue. The Vixens’ inability to find Austin caused havoc, restricting them to 10 goals while the Firebirds banged on 17.
Down by five goals at half time, the Vixens shuffled their deck. They brought Hannah Mundy on at wing attack, pushed the rest of the team back a position, and sent Em Mannix to the bench.
Liv Lewis started to find her timing during the second half, despite a clumsy challenge that benched Macy Gardner with a wrist injury. The goal keeper swung momentum back in Vixens’ favour after she picked off one intercept and four rebounds on her way to a MVP performance.
Vixens’ co-captain Liz Watson made a strong return to form, directing traffic for her side. Playing at both wing attack and centre, she recorded 33 goal assists and 49 feeds.
NO MARGIN FOR ERROR
Of the Vixens last seven matches, today’s has been the only convincing win. Three have been decided by a solitary point, and a further three by five or less. While tight margins are good news for both fans and television ratings, they can play havoc with a team’s confidence.
QUARTER QUANDARIES
The Firebirds have made a habit of storming home with a bang, winning four last quarters of the seven rounds played this season. It’s the second quarter that’s their Achilles heel, picking up just two of the seven. Gaining consistency would go a long way to straightening out their season.
DIAL A DIAMOND
With the national squad announced during the week, Diamonds’ coach Stacey Marinkovich had the pleasure of informing Vixens Kiera Austin, Liz Watson, Kate Moloney and Jo Weston, and the Firebirds Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran of their selection. The six are almost a complete team of sparklers, all the way down court.
