SSN Momentum Shifts: Round 10

ROUND 10 of Suncorp Super Netball saw some phenomenal matchups across every games and some highly talented players take the court. The condensed fixture and introduction of rolling subs this year have seen plenty of young names already jump on the court and have a huge impact despite their lack of experience. We take a look at each game and note which players shifted the gears and switched up the momentum.

Melbourne Vixens (63) drew with West Coast Fever (63)

The final five minutes of the third quarter saw the Melbourne Vixens mount an almighty comeback that filtered into the fourth term. Four consecutive super shots – three off the hand of Caitlin Thwaites and one after the whistle to Mwai Kumwenda – enabled the Vixens to cull the 14-goal buffer to eight at the final change. With a pep in their step coming out of the break the Vixens toiled hard in attack as Kumwenda and Thwaites slotted seven of the first 10 goals while Liz Watson upped the ante to give the Vixens all the momentum in the final term. Jo Weston came to life while the work of Allie Smith and Kate Eddy stood tall as they blocked the flow of goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler and Alice Teague-Neeld in the Fever attack.

NSW Swifts (64) defeated by Queensland Firebirds (77)

The Firebirds came to play from the opening whistle, asserting themselves on the contest and dominating on the scoreboard. A purple patch in the latter stages of the quarter saw the home team skip out to a seven goal lead as Tippah Dwan and Romelda Aiken carved up the defensive combination of Maddy Turner, Sarah Klau and Lauren Moore. The Firebirds goal shooter in Aiken set the tone instantaneously, commanding the ball under the post allowing Dwan to get to work around her with her quick footwork to keep her respective opponent occupied. The midcourters in Mahalia Cassidy and Lara Dunkley were unstoppable around circle edge, as the Firebirds attacked hard to push the Swifts onto the back foot.

GIANTS Netball (65) defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning (67)

In a see-sawing affair it was Kiera Austin who kept the GIANTS in the hunt. Down by as many as eight goals in the dying minutes of the third quarter, the goal attack single-handedly dragged her side back into the contest, showcasing her impressive range and accuracy to convert two super shots. Austin was a menace, driving hard into the space and syncing up with Jo Harten who also managed to hit a super shot, working alongside Maddie Hay and Jamie-Lee Price with great ease. Her increased intensity across the court sparked the GIANTS side which entered the break with their tails up and while they did not go on to win the contest, going down with five seconds left on the clock, this passage of play in the third term set them up for the comeback that ensued.

Adelaide Thunderbirds (60) defeated Collingwood Magpies (49)

It was a final quarter blitz from the Adelaide Thunderbirds that gifted them an 11-goal victory in front of a home crowd for the first time this season. Geva Mentor seemed to have no answers for the in-form Lenize Potgieter despite the South African goaler missing more shots than usual, while Georgie Horjus continued on her merry way out in goal attack. Potgieter went on a tear in the closing minutes of the game stringing seven consecutive goals together. Strong under the post, Potgieter relished the drive and quick hands of Maisie Nankivell and Tayla Williams out in the midcourt. up the other end, Shamera Sterling played a key role with an intercept and a couple of deflections to gift her side the opportunity to push forward and inflict scoreboard pain.

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