SSN 2020: First six rounds of fixture revealed
FRIDAY morning saw the long awaited release of the first six rounds of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball fixture, with the season beginning in just over a week on August 1. Rather than one round per week, the addition of mid-week matches will see these first six rounds play out across just 23 days.
While an announcement during the week stated that the entire season is expected to be played in Queensland, the first phase of fixturing will see NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball remain in Sydney for the first three rounds with both West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds joining the two New South Wales-based sides there.
This round robin-style of fixturing will see the Queensland hub look much the same, with the first couple of rounds featuring the Queensland-based sides – Queensland Firebirds, Sunshine Coast Lightning, Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies – competing against each other.
The season will open on Saturday, August 1 with a Queensland derby between Firebirds and Lightning, seeing the GIANTS and Fever go head-to-head next, followed by Swifts versus Thunderbirds and finishing with a Melbourne derby between Vixens and Magpies, with the two teams’ last clash a huge semi-final last season.
The fixture also sees a couple of major changes, with weekday scheduling in the mix for the first time, seeing a couple of rounds with Tuesday and Wednesday evening matches. Fans will not have to wait long, with the first Wednesday fixture taking place only three days after Round 1 finishes, with a Sydney derby between Swifts and GIANTS on August 5.
Also up there in terms of quality clashes, fans will look forward to a Round 4 grand final rematch between Lightning and Swifts, while as of yet a fixture for the highly contested Sargeant-McKinnis Trophy will have to wait, with the Swifts and Vixens not playing one another in the first six rounds.
The statement also suggests there is potential for matches to play out in Perth and Adelaide later in the season, pending border restrictions.
The next phase of fixturing is expected to drop in mid-August.
>> CHECK OUT THE FIRST SIX ROUNDS HERE
Team previews:
GIANTS steal win to send stalwart out on a high
APRIL Brandley will certainly not forget her final Suncorp Super Netball League match in a hurry, as her GIANTS Netball came from behind to defeat the Melbourne Vixens 60-57. After being behind for almost the entire match, the GIANTS took the lead for the first time with 40 seconds left in the match and held […]
Fever flourish against gigantic challenge
WEST Coast Fever returned to their premiership-winning form after a dominant 72-61 win over GIANTS Netball who challenged the Fever’s lead in the first half. The Fever now move to second on the ladder and challenge for a major semi-final position, crucial in earning a second chance if they fall short in the semi-final. The […]
Big sister beats little sister in battle for Sydney
THE NSW Swifts have gone to the top of the Suncorp Super Netball table with a 68 goal to 63 win over crosstown rivals the GIANTS. In an affair that was bruising at times, the Swifts were pushed hard by the GIANTS but held strong. After a few jitters from both sides early in the […]
Firebirds back on the winners list after hard fought GIANT win
THE Queensland Firebirds have returned to the winners list in an emphatic way, comfortably defeating the GIANTS 68 goals to 50. Although the game may have started out tight, the Firebirds really lifted in the second half to ultimately run away with the win. After making the most of a defensive turnover and then consolidating […]
GIANTS grind out gutsy win
THE GIANTS have ground out a crucial 70-64 win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning in a crucial game for their top four hopes. It was a tough and tight tussle for much of the match, but the GIANTS pulled away at the right time to earn the win. The Lightning started strongly in the opening […]
SSN After the Fact: Matisse Letherbarrow
WELCOME to After the Fact, a new series here at Rookie Me Central, chatting to key figures in the Suncorp Super Netball post match and get their thoughts on the match that just transpired and the bigger issues in the game. This week’s chat is with GIANTS shooter Matisse Letherbarrow, who chatted after her side […]
GIANTS pull away late to claim crucial win
AFTER a solid tussle, the GIANTS have earned themselves another win with a 69 to 56 goal win over Collingwood. In a match that was tight for much of the 60 minutes, the GIANTS’ strong back end of the third term and the final few minutes of the last term is what ultimately got them […]
Thunderbirds get one back at the GIANTS
THE Adelaide Thunderbirds have got one back on the GIANTS, defeating them 54-50 reverse the Round 4 result. In a game of swinging momentums, it was the Thunderbirds who ultimately stood tall and prevailed in a nail-biter. It was as tight as you could get in the opening passages of play, as teams traded blows […]
Swifts take four points in NSW derby
A FAIRYTALE finish for the NSW Swifts get them one hand on the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy in the NSW Derby over a tough GIANTS Netball outfit. A topsy turvy outing for both sides saw several momentum changes with each side winning the quarter to follow. A last quarter fight back from the Swifts saw […]
