THE penultimate day of the group stage saw wins to the Swifts Academy, Vic Fury, Queensland Sapphires and Southern Force to set up a fascinating final day of group action. Only one team has their final place secured, so there is still plenty to play for on the final day of group stage action.

SWIFTS ACADEMY           14 | 12 | 19 | 18 (63)
CAPITAL DARTERS            9 | 12 | 9 | 13 (43)

The NSW Swifts Academy are finally on the board these Australian Netball Championships, while also resigning the Darters to their third loss in a row. Although the Darters managed to draw the second quarter, their first and third really let them down as the Swifts ultimately went on to record a comfortable win.

For the Swifts Alison Miller had a stellar game under the ring, only missing a shot, while Teigan O’Shannassy recorded six intercepts and Lili Gorman-Brown (21 feeds, 15 assists) was busy through mid court. Meanwhile for the Darters, Millie Roach was the main shooter with 19 goals, but was inaccurate, missing seven shots. She did however lead the team in rebounds with four.

Unfortunately for the Darters, they just could not match it for volume of shots with the Swifts. Tayla Davies was also busy though midcourt, finishing with 23 feeds and 14 assists.

VIC FURY                            14 | 10 | 15 | 15 (54)
GIANTS ACADEMY            10 | 16 | 11 | 12 (49)

Vic Fury have pulled off a second comeback in as many games, coming from behind to win against the Giants. The Fury had the better start to the game, but then the Giants came right back at them in the second quarter and actually took the lead off the Fury heading into half-time. The Giants also held the lead for much of the third term before a late flurry from the Fury ensured the lead was theirs again heading into the last quarter, and they were able to maintain that lead to the end.

For the Fury Emma Ryde was again stellar under the ring, only missing one shot for the entire game. Olivia Lewis was also stellar with seven intercepts. Hannah Mundy (27 feeds and 16 assists), and Tayla Honey (25 feeds and 10 assists) were also busy through midcourt. Meanwhile for the Giants Matisse Letherbarrow was stellar under the ring, only missing two shots, while Ange Frketic did not miss any. Amy Sligar (22 feeds and 16 assists) and Ellen Spencer (seven rebounds) also had great games.

WEST COAST FEVER RESERVES    12 | 13 | 12 | 12 (49)
QUEENSLAND SAPPHIRES           16 | 17 | 16 | 15 (64)

The Queensland Sapphires have come back from their bye and bounced back from Tuesday’s loss in impressive fashion, defeating the West Coast Fever Reserves by 15 goals. It may have begun as a tight affair, but that did not last long as the Sapphires went on to dominate. It was even early before a late burst from the Sapphires saw them take the quarter time lead. The Sapphire lead just kept growing from there. They won every quarter as they went on to record a comfortable win.

For the Sapphires, Charlie Bell shot an impressive 43 goals and only missed four shots, while Mia Stower also only missed four shots. Leesa Mi Mi (36 feeds, 23 assists), Hulita Veve and Ashleigh Ervin (four intercepts each) were also impressive. Meanwhile for the Fever Reserves, Nat Medhurst supplied the bulk of the goals, but none of the other shooters could match her or the Sapphires shooters in terms of volume.

SOUTHERN FORCE                                 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 (59)
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING             14 | 14 | 12 | 15 (55)

The Southern Force have got their second win on the board and built a gap on the rest of their pool after defeating the Sunshine Coast Lightning. The Lightning got the better start to the to the first quarter, but the Force pulled it back to draw the opening quarter. The Force then built a lead that stood at seven goals heading into the final term, and they survived a late Lightning resurgence to take the win.

There was a negative to come out of the game for both sides, with the Force’s Molly Watson and Lightning star Reilley Batcheldor both going down with injuries. For the Force, Lucy Austin only missed one shot for the game, while Lauren Frew did not miss any. Jessie Grenvold finished with a whopping six intercepts, while Tyler Orr (30 feeds, 23 intercepts) was very busy through mid court. Meanwhile for the Lightning, Annika Lee Jones only missed three shots and Annabelle Lawrie only missed one, but they could not match the volume of the Force’s shooters. Annie Miller (28 feeds and 17 assists) was also busy through mid court.