IT is that time of the year when Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) finals roll around with the GIANTS taking out the minor premiership and looking to leapfrog ahead while the Fever, Swifts and Lightning will be eager to assert their dominance. The weekend will play host to two action packed games with the loser from the Fever and Lightning game eliminated.

GIANTS Netball vs. NSW Swifts
Saturday, July 14 @ 1:00pm

After securing the minor premiership the GIANTS will be hoping to continue their upwards trajectory and knock off the Swifts. But that will be no easy feat with the Swifts fully aware of what it takes to win a premiership and eager to hold that trophy aloft once again. The two sides have a strong rivalry building and this game will be no different given what is at stake.

It could all come down to the reliance on the super shot with the GIANTS more than happy to back themselves from distance given they have the services of Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer. Harten is a real leader in the front half of the court and can seamlessly transition from goal shooter to goal attack with ease, as can Dwyer. The pair cannot afford to be left unattended with Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner needing to pay a grave deal of attention to both players.

The GIANTS will be hoping that April Brandley and Matilda McDonell will be back in action with the former in career-best form. Brandley has been a damaging threat for the GIANTS in defence with her cleanliness and turn of speed a couple of focal points while Sam Poolman has been a pillar of consistency. However they will have to be at their a-game if they are to get on top of the Swifts who have options aplenty. Sam Wallace has all the party tricks in the book back in goal shooter while Helen Housby is a smooth mover. Throw in the highly versatile Sophie Garbin who possesses great elevation and accuracy to post, and the GIANTS have a real conundrum when it comes to stopping the Swifts from scoring.

The midcourt contest will also cast plenty of attention given the Swifts are renowned for their constant rotations compared to the GIANTS. Jamie-Lee Price has been integral for the GIANTS with her capacity to swing between defence and attack while Maddie Hay has been a silent assassin out in wing attack. The Swifts will be hoping that Paige Hadley, Maddy Proud and Tayla Fraser are able to combat both Price and Hay while Amy Parmenter is likely set to be tasked with nullifying Nat Haythornthwaite or Hadley.

It is all going to come down to which team is able to implement their normal game style and not get flustered by the pressure of finals. It is the first time GIANTS have made finals in two years while the Swifts are season campaigners fronting up for their third straight.

West Coast Fever vs. Sunshine Coast Lightning
Saturday, July 14 @ 3:00pm

It is becoming somewhat of a tradition for the Fever and Lightning to face-off in finals and this year is no different. Since their inception the Lightning have not missed a finals campaign while West Coast have competed in two grand finals but are yet to walk away with the trophy making for an enthralling battle. The last time these two sides met it was the Lightning that got the last laugh while prior to that the Fever starred meaning this game could go either way.

Sunshine Coast will need more than just their best performance from Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni in defence if they are to stop Jhaniele Fowler. Instead they will need full court pressure from each and every player out on court. Fowler is just about unstoppable under the post meaning the Lightning will have to stop the ball from entering the circle if they are any chance to knock off the Fever with Verity Charles they key to success in West Coast’s frontend. The speedy midcourter is able to spot Fowler from anywhere in the circle and if she does not the you can guarantee Alice Teague-Neeld will. With this in the mind the Lightning will be hoping that one of Kate Shimmin, Maddy McAuliffe or Mahalia Cassidy is able to blanket the influence of Charles.

The Lightning’s main concern will be whether or not Steph Wood is raring to go. Missing last week the goal attack has proven to be hugely influential with her drives, silky timing and willingness to go to post irreplaceable. Her connection with Cara Koenen is also critical for the Lightning to build off with the shooter to shooter interplay arguably the best in the league. Peace Prosvocia has also shown that she is capable of stepping up to the plate when need be while Koenen can ply her trade just as effectively out in goal attack. But the Fever are brimming with defensive talents, none bigger than Sunday Aryang. The goal defence can do it all while her partnership with Courtney Bruce is also damaging as the pair are renowned for their ball winning capabilities.

Jess Anstiss has added more strings to her bow in season 2021, spending more time through the midcourt while Stacey Francis-Bayman has also reinvented herself out in wing defence to give the Fever a more defensive edge. But one of them will need to nullify the speed and craftiness of Laura Scherian around circle edge while the likes of McAuliffe and Cassidy are also able to rotate through the midcourt with great ease.

The winner will simply be decided by Fowler. if the Lightning are able to stop her influence then they will walk away with the chocolates however if they are unable to stem the bleeding then the Fever will progress to the next stage of the finals.

Photo credit: SSN