A SHORT turn around could work wonders for some teams while fatigue might start to kick in for others having only played two days ago. No team sits undefeated making for some exciting clashes across Round 5 as all eight sides hope to find some consistency and build some momentum.

WEST COAST FEVER v. MELBOURNE VIXENS
Tuesday, 17 August

Coming off a narrow one-goal win against the Magpies, West Coast Fever will come in with plenty of confidence knowing they can weather the storm and still secure the full four points. On the other hand, Melbourne Vixens will be hoping to make amends for their lacklustre showing last round to treasure possession and bombard the scoreboard.

Olivia Lewis and Sunday Aryang both proved they have the class and star power to hold down the fort in defence for West Coast Fever hardly ever overawed with the high calibre of opposition. Their ability to hold front position and dance around their opponent will be pivotal in their clash against the Vixens who ooze nothing but precision inside the goal circle. Boasting a stacked line-up of Caitlin Thwaites, Mwai Kumwenda and Tegan Philip the Vixens have experience in the shooting circle with all three able to sink them from range making them incredibly dangerous when the super shot comes into play. Although Lewis and Aryang have both effectively plied their trade in recent weeks expect the old firm in Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis to take the reins and really lead the troops in defence to offset the Vixens trio early. Bruce is a wall in defence with her leap and ability to contest from both in front and behind the player making her a menace for the Vixens and a huge positive for the Fever.

It will be up to Jhaniele Fowler to control the flow in attack, with the towering goal shooter the prominent scorer for the side given the speed and accuracy in which she can score. Coming off a dominant performance it will be up to Emily Mannix and Jo Weston to clog up the circle and force her high if the Vixens are to worry the Fever. The inclusion of Kate Eddy is also a huge plus for the Melbourne based side with the defender able to rotate into circle defence or apply pressure out the front in wing defence to quell the influence of the middies into Fowler. Alice Teague-Neeld has found mojo in season 2020 playing more of that feeding role into Fowler and also backing herself from range while Kaylia Stanton has been relatively up and down, but proven she can come on with a hot hand when needed.

With plenty of star power up either end it will ultimately come down to the engine room in the midcourt with the Vixens boasting some of the best in the business in Liz Watson and Kate Moloney.

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS v. NSW SWIFTS
Tuesday, 17 August

Agonisingly close in Round 4, the Queensland Firebirds showed plenty of fight and spirit and will hope to bring that same intensity against the reigning premiers. The Swifts struggled to get going last round with their ball movement stifled and forced into uncharacteristic errors something they will look to rectify this round against a young Firebirds outfit.

Kim Jenner took the competition by storm last round tearing up the court with her intercepting ability and quick footwork to fly through court to provide that spark for the Firebirds. She will have to be on song once again this round if she is to nullify the influence of Swifts goal attack Helen Housby who is renowned for her exceptional timing and smooth movement across the court. The shooting circle was not at their best last round with Sam Wallace pushed to the baseline and caught off-balance while Sophie Garbin was unable to hit the scoreboard the way she would have liked. In saying that, it is incredibly difficult to keep the trio down two games in a row given their versatility and class. The Firebirds have options in goal keeper with Rudi Ellis providing those extra couple of centimetres to compete with the high ball while Tara Hinchliffe has formed a formidable combination with Jenner, able to rotate through the circle with edge and dictate the space making for an enticing battle.

The Swifts welcomed back Maddy Turner with the goal defence hoping to gain more court time this round, while Lauren Moore has been a revelation in season 2020 taking full advantage of her unsuspecting leap. Sarah Klau will have her work cut out for her up against Romelda Aiken who while shaky on the shot at times has proven to be a solid option under the post credit to her aerial skill, strength on the rebound and height. Aiken has been the mainstay for Queensland as Tippah Dwan and Ine-Mari Venter often rotate through the goal attack position allowing for some fresh legs to hit the court.

With options aplenty through the midcourt as Paige Hadley, Maddy Proud and Natalie Haythornthwaite can all float into that wing attack position the weight of responsibility will lie heavily on Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson to stop their impact around circle edge and win ball back if Queensland are any chance to cause an upset.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES v. ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
Wednesday, 18 August

Adelaide Thunderbirds well and truly announced themselves last round with a hard-fought victory and never-say-die attitude, while Collingwood was left hungry, going down by one goal making for an exciting battle on Wednesday night. The Thunderbirds will be out for their third win as Collingwood search for its second.

The return of Layla Guscoth has paid dividends for Adelaide with the back end welcoming the return of the cunning and experienced defender. Her influence seems to balance the tenacity and physicality of Shamera Sterling under the post with the duo able to apply a wealth of pressure over the shot. The rotation of Kate Shimmin in the final five minutes is also another element Collingwood will have to look out for, given how seamless the transition is and her ability to come on and have an immediate impact. Shimona Nelson has elevated her game in 2020 with her strong hands and high volume of goals a focal point of her game play. Gabby Sinclair has also upped the ante while Nyah Allen has proven to be a pocket rocket when on court even if it is a couple of minutes a game.

Through the midcourt both Madi and Kelsey Browne are key cogs for the black and white with their drive, precise ball placement and vision into the circle sure to create headaches for the Thunderbirds. However they have plenty of options with Maisie Nankivell in ripping form and South African Shadine van der Merwe a handy option. Nankivell has shown her class to play all three centre court positions while Hannah Petty’s drive through the midcourt and link up with co-captain Chelsea Pitman will keep Collingwood heads swinging. Recruit Jodi-Ann Ward can ply her trade both in wing defence and goal defence while Melissa Bragg is a quiet achiever for the Pies. Speedster Molly Jovic has impressed so far with her fancy footwork and timing.

Both teams are relatively evenly poised and boast key pillars at either end of the court with Lenize Potgieter, Georgie Horjus and Sasha Glasgow all viable options under the post for Adelaide while Collingwood will be hoping to make the most of Geva Mentor in goal keeper to stop the Thunderbirds in their tracks.

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING v. GIANTS NETBALL
Wednesday, 18 August

The final game of the round sees Sunshine Coast Lightning take on an inconsistent GIANTS outfit. The Lightning are coming off an exceptional game last round and will be riding high while the GIANTS will be ruing their missed opportunities.

The goal circle has presented many challenges so far for the GIANTA with all three of their players struggling to work cohesively. Australian Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has been up and down in recent weeks while Jo Harten has proven to be the long bomb specialist for the GIANTA not afraid to go to post and guide her side. The Lightning will be looking to exploit these inconsistencies in their game plan with Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius renowned for their smothering pressure and ability to regain possession. Kiera Austin is still finding her feet whether it be under the goal post or out in wing attack meaning that the connection can sometimes be lost through the GIANTS midcourt. Both Maddy McAuliffe and Jacqui Russell have been rotating through the wing defence position and will be looking to shut down Austin and Maddie Hay to really stifle the GIANTS ball movement.

For the sunshine coast lightning Cara Koenen has been the main port of call under the goal post with the young shooter showcasing her array of talents to either hold strong or get on the move to create space in the circle and most importantly score at a high level of accuracy. Peace Proscovia has struggled to find her rhythm in attack while Steph Wood has been up and down in recent weeks but proven to be a strong option when it comes to the super shot. Defensively the GIANTS will be hoping that April Brandley and Kristiana Manu’a can shut down Wood who is a key playmaker out the front alongside Laura Langman while Sam Poolman is likely to get the job against Koenen under the post and will be hoping to make full use of her physicality to offset the goaler.

With a wealth of talent across the court expect the game to go right down to the wire with the battle between Amy Parmenter and Laura Scherian sure to have an influence on the flow of the game.