THE fight for finals continues to heat up with a couple of top four clashes headlining the Round 11 action. Just outside the top four, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will be looking to find their way into the mix while the Melbourne Vixens will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table.

NSW Swifts v. Melbourne Vixens
Tuesday, 8 September

In their Round 8 encounter the Melbourne Vixens got the wood over the Swifts, something the reigning premiers will be hoping to rectify this round as they look to steal top spot on the ladder. Both sides are evenly matched across the court however Briony Akle is not afraid to swing the axe and change the line-up given the amount of depth the Swifts boast.

The Swifts have a plethora of options through the midcourt with Paige Hadley, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Tayla Fraser and Maddy Proud all viable options through the centre. The potential matchup between Hadley and Vixens wing attack Liz Watson will be one to keep an eye on given their strength and courage while the Swifts will look to match the energy and go-get it attitude of Kate Moloney in centre. The likes of Sam Wallace, Sophie Garbin and Helen Housby have struggled to hit their stride so far this year, plagued by inconsistency and will have their work cut out for them against the Vixens. Emily Mannix will miss the clash for the Vixens however Jo Weston proved to be a handy option in goal keeper.

The increased versatility in the Vixens line-up has given them an edge this season not only in defence with Kate Eddy plying her trade in either wing defence or goal defence but so too in attack as the shooters have seamlessly rotated through. Caitlin Thwaites has had a resurgence out in goal attack while Mwai Kumwenda and Tegan Philip have proven to be a menace under the post. The concerning part for the Swifts is the fact that all three can punish from the super shot zone meaning Maddy Turner, Sarah Klau, Lauren Moore and potentially Sophie Craig will have to be switched on every second of the match if they are to keep the Vixens out of the game.

Sunshine Coast Lightning v, West Coast Fever
Tuesday, 8 September

The Lightning will be out for redemption against the Fever who completely outclassed them in their last outing, scoring a staggering 80 goals, the highest of the season. Sunshine Coast simply had no answers for Jhaniele Fowler with the goal shooter slotting a staggering 57 goals, an area they will be hoping to address this time round to keep them in the hunt for finals.

West Coast are blessed with a number of defenders who have stepped up to the plate in 2020 with Sunday Aryang and Olivia Lewis the two revelations down back while the ever reliable duo of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis are solid contributors. Up against the constantly changing attacking unit of Cara Koenen, Peace Proscovia and Steph Wood, the battle under the post is set to be intriguing. In recent weeks Wood has showcased her versatility able to switch into wing attack with the Lightning not afraid to pull the trigger through the centre court and make wholesale changes.

Without Ingrid Colyer it will be up to Emma Cosh to stand up in wing attack while the playmaking load will likely land on Alice Teague-Neeld with the goaler able to dictate the flow out the front. The defensive combination of Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius however is no mean feat with the duo renowned for their ability to steal possession and shut down attacking units, something they will be hoping to inflict in this contest. The likes of Maddy McAuliffe and Laura Langman are also crucial cogs in the defensive third for the Lightning with their hands over pressure and read of the play impressive.

GIANTS Netball v. Collingwood Magpies
Wednesday, 9 September

It has been a disappointing season for the Magpies who farewelled Madi Browne and lost Kelsey Browne to injury while for the GIANTS 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with plenty of ups and downs. Collingwood have not won a game against the GIANTS in the past two years, a feat the GIANTS will be hoping to keep intact as they cast one eye on a finals berth.

Caitlin Bassett has struggled to get much court time in season 2020 with Jo Harten and Kiera Austin often getting the nod in goal shooter and goal attack respectively. However Bassett is no slouch, able to change the course of a game with the speed in which she can score and given the experience of Geva Mentor and Jodi-Ann Ward could likely be injected into the game against the Pies.

Molly Jovic has proven to be a key cog through the centre court with her speed and dynamic movement while Kelly Altmann has also showcased her strength around circle edge but copped a nasty knock last round. Tyler Orr debuted in Round 10 and did not skip a beat for the Magpies however the GIANTS are not without star power of their own through the mid court with Jamie-Lee Price, Amy Parmenter and Maddie Hay all formidable forces through the centre third. Defensively the GIANTS have a wealth of options with Matilda McDonell, April Brandley, Kristiana Manu’a and Sam Poolman all able to effectively ply their trade under the post.

Adelaide Thunderbirds v. Queensland Firebirds
Wednesday, 9 September

In a battle of the birds expect the game to go down to the wire with both sides coming off strong victories and looking to prove themselves in 2020. The Thunderbirds have steadily worked their way up the ladder and sit marginally out of the top four while the Firebirds are eager to keep their winning ways going.

There is no denying that Romelda Aiken is in career best form while Tippah Dwan is relishing the court time and feeding off the energy and dominance of Aiken at the post. However the goal shooter will have her work cut out for her against compatriot Shamera Sterling as the Thunderbirds goal keeper is an aerial mastermind, able to swat away ball time and time again. Partners in crime Layla Guscoth and Kate Shimmin are also major ball winners who are renowned for their tagging style of play to nullify the influence of their opponent.

The midcourt battle is also set to be enticing as both sides boast a wealth of youth and one experience spearhead – Chelsea Pitman for the Thunderbirds and Gabi Simpson for the Firebirds. The two are likely to match up against one another meaning it will be up to the players around them to impact the play as they often cancel each other out. Lara Dunkley really came into her own last round while Jemma Mi Mi offers plenty of dash in the attacking third. The strength of Mahalia Cassidy could match up nicely against the likes of Maisie Nankivell or Hannah Petty while Shadine van der Merwe is another handy option. Inside the goal circle Lenize Potgieter oozes nothing but class, composure and accuracy while Georgie Horjus has quickly become a super shot star meaning the likes of Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe will have to be on their A-game and look to attack the play if they are to upset the Thunderbirds and keep their slim finals hopes alive.