PREMIERSHIP glory and state bragging rights are up for grabs when NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball take on each other in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) big dance. It has been a gruelling season for both teams who have endured copious lockdowns and quarantine periods and it all comes to a head on Saturday when the two sides lock horns.

NSW Swifts vs. GIANTS Netball
Saturday, August 28 @2:30pm

Having only met two weeks ago, it is fair to say both teams knowing exactly what each other are bringing to the table making for an intriguing battle. The Swifts pipped the GIANTS at the post by a mere goal in the semi-final and with an extra week off will be hoping to capitalise on their fresh legs. Conversely the GIANTS pulled off an almighty win against the Fever and will go into the game with a head full of steam.

The Swifts know what it takes to win premierships, claiming victory in 2019 and managed to do that without the services of captain and spiritual leader Maddy Proud who will be well and truly spurring them on when she takes the court this game. Proud is a real barometer for the Swifts with her two-way running and ability to link defence and attack. But she will have her work cut out for her up against Jamie-Lee Price who flexed her muscles last round with her crafty court play, high level of endurance and overall smarts.

The GIANTS midcourt of Price, Maddie Hay and Amy Parmenter well and truly had the upper hand against the Fever and will need to continue that trajectory if they are to unsettle a silky Swifts outfit that have a plethora of options. Hay is an unsung hero in attack for the GIANTS with her innate timing, vision and variety on the pass a couple of key attributes meaning either Tayla Fraser or Lauren Moore will have to put in the hard yards early to nullify her. The Swifts have no shortage of options in attack with Proud able to swing into wing attack while both Paige Hadley and Nat Haythornthwaite bring their own arsenal of tricks.

Looking inside the circle for the Swifts and it is hard to deny the influence Sam Wallace has under the post. The Trinidad and Tobago goaler is an aerial threat and can add to the scoreboard with great accuracy and volume. She often sets the tone in attack with Helen Housby feeding off her teammates energy. Housby will need to have a big game for the Swifts if they are any chance to secure the premiership with the England international both a playmaker and a viable scoring option. The Swifts also have a trump card in Sophie Garbin who has proven time and time again that she has the capacity to tear games apart at the seams and really impose herself with her strong holds.

But the GIANTS defenders are no easy beats, with Sam Poolman playing arguably her best game to date and eager to keep that defensive intensity rolling. Poolman’s connection with April Brandley has developed at a rate of knots with the pair able to cause chaos down in defence with their hunt and tenacity enabling them to create turnover ball. Throw in youngster Matilda McDonell and Kristiana Manu’a and the GIANTS have a number of options that are able to cause a stir in defence and win ball back if needed.

Taking a look up the other end of the court and the GIANTS have settled into a dynamic rhythm with Sophie Dwyer and Jo Harten. An unknown quantity heading into the season Dwyer has quickly become a household name with the goal attack plying her trade from just about anywhere in the circle – especially when it comes to the super shot period. In fact the GIANTS as a whole are more than willing to back themselves from range with Harten renowned for her long range shooting. It will be up to the Swifts defenders in Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner to nullify their influence with the pair able to apply strong hands over pressure and go out hunting for any cross court ball. Klau will be hoping to tap into her physical side to upset Harten and push her onto the backfoot to give the Swifts the upper hand.

With key match-ups across the court and vastly different game plans with the Swifts renowned for their clinical and traditional style of netball as opposed to the GIANTS hard and fast style it will all come down to which team is able to settle first.