A HUGE 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season has culminated in this week’s semi-finals, with a highly even series set to begin. While the Melbourne Vixens have not lost to any of the other teams in the finals, West Coast Fever came very close to victory against the minor premiers and defeated both of the other two teams in NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning. Meanwhile, the Swifts and Lightning both won one match apiece from their battles. With very little going to plan in the final round of the home and away season last week, the Fever and Swifts will both have a point to prove in their minor semi-final battle while the Vixens will aim for a clean sweep against the Lightning to guarantee a grand final berth.

MAJOR SEMI-FINAL

Melbourne Vixens v. Sunshine Coast Lightning
Saturday, 3 October

2020 matches: Round 3, Round 14

Two highly exciting and versatile teams, expect both the Vixens and Lightning to come out with something to prove. While the Vixens have arguably been the better team this season, the Lightning are the most successful team in Suncorp Super Netball history and, having made all three grand finals, know what it takes when it comes to the post-season. While the two teams went head to head in the final round just last week, both are renowned for not revealing all their cards meaning a huge battle is on the cards. Last round the Lightning were forced to take super shots to keep up, meaning they will need to lift earlier to stay neck and neck with the Vixens and force the Melbourne side to take the risks instead.

Vixens lynchpin Liz Watson only returned for a half game last round after sitting out with injury, so expect the wing attack to be out with a point to prove out the front, and safe in the knowledge that Elle McDonald and Kate Moloney are more than capable of holding down the attack end if she needs time on the bench. The Vixens’ veteran duo in Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip announced their retirement during the week meaning the attack is sure to come out firing, with Mwai Kumwenda a huge threat at the post and all three highly versatile. Defensively, the likes of Kate Eddy, Jo Weston and Emily Mannix have been in impressive form all season, with both Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Allie Smith able to come on and have an impact when required making for a hugely versatile unit. 

As for the Lightning, the defensive unit of Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius is one of the most explosive in the competition. While they have perhaps lacked a bit of consistency this season, the duo is hugely exciting even when they are not at their best especially with the likes of Jacqui Russell, Maddy McAuliffe and Laura Langman out the front able to have an impact. Langman is a livewire and more than capable of slowing down play to allow Maweni and Pretorius to come into the game, while Laura Scherian is the speedster out the front with her evasive skill and impressive footwork to weave her way onto circle edge. Expect rotation between the likes of Steph Wood, Cara Koenen and Peace Proscovia out the front, with the trio all able to provide that star quality out the front and hold down the front end. 

With huge battles all around the court, expect the matchup between Diamonds Weston and Wood to stand out with both players able to have a huge impact in a short amount of time, while Langman and Moloney never fail to excite when they go head-to-head. Given recent form and the return of Watson, expect the Vixens to come up with another win but another close margin with the Lightning coming in with a point to prove.

MINOR SEMI-FINAL

West Coast Fever v. NSW Swifts
Sunday, 4 October

2020 matches: Round 2, Round 12 

This match is set to be a huge battle, with both teams splitting the wins this season. While the Fever have a renewed sense of confidence after a disappointing 2019 season and a slow start to 2020, the Swifts have failed to hit the same highs as last season, not quite stringing along full four quarter performances along. Both teams are formidable forces to be reckoned with when they get going with plenty of firepower among their ranks, meaning it will all come down to which team starts strong and holds their own under pressure. Last time these sides met the Swifts were forced into using the super shot to stay in touch, outclassed by the Fever.

The Fever will look to bounce back from a frustrating loss to the Thunderbirds in the final round which robbed them from a potential second chance finals berth and make this game count instead. Courtney Bruce has been in scintillating form as of late, with Stacey Francis continuing her great form and youngster Sunday Aryang more than capable of having an impact when she takes the court. Midcourt-wise, Verity Charles has had an outstanding season to earn her first Diamonds call-up while there is no denying the impact rookie Emma Cosh has had since Ingrid Colyer went down with injury. Alice Teague-Neeld may not have had the most consistent season but has proved to be a ball magnet when she is on, able to split the defenders with her playmaking skills to find Jhaniele Fowler at the post. 

For the Swifts, fans will be hoping that Helen Housby is back in the goal ring after a couple of stints on the sideline, with the livewire goal attack able to add another prong to the attack line alongside Sam Wallace – who has stepped up her form over the past few rounds in particular – and Sophie Garbin who continues to prove she has more than one dimension to her game. A rotating midcourt is the Swifts’ typical play through the centre, with Nat Haythornthwaite and Maddy Proud switching through wing attack, Proud, Paige Hadley and Tayla Fraser rotating through centre and a real combination of Hadley, Sophie Craig and Lauren Moore able to slot in at wing defence. This versatility could prove crucial against the Fever midcourt which stays fairly consistent, with each player able to switch up the play and provide something different. Defensively, Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner are likely to get the start but expect to see Moore in there too given her versatility and ability to impact the match.

Given the Fever’s excellent backend to the season, expect the side to come out on top this time around despite the Swifts’ ability to work their way back into a match. That being said, the Swifts are excellent at adjusting their game plan and have surely taken a look at how Thunderbirds goal keeper Shamera Sterling shut down Fowler last round, making for an intriguing contest if they can replicate their Round 2 victory.

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Courtside Comments

Round 3: Sunday Aryang
Round 6: Lauren Moore
Round 9: Alice Teague-Neeld
Round 10: Kate Eddy
Round 12: Tayla Honey
Round 14: Emma Cosh

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Centre Pass Podcast: Round 14 review & Emily Mannix interview
Centre Pass Podcast: Round 2 review & Maddy Proud interview