HAVING only played on the weekend Round 3 of the Suncorp Super Netball could see plenty of tired bodies across the court and increased player rotation but that will not stop each team from coming out firing on all cylinders. The Magpies and Firebirds are looking for their first win of the season while the Vixens and Lightning are fighting to keep their undefeated run intact.

GIANTS Netball v. West Coast Fever
Tuesday, 11 August

Sitting on one win apiece, expect a fierce battle between the GIANTS and Fever. Both sides are renowned for their physical approach to the game making for an enticing battle as the two go head-to-head.

The GIANTS have a wealth of experience when it comes to their shooting circle with Caitlin Bassett and Jo Harten able to lead the way with their prolific scoring. Harten is known for her long range shooting something she will be hoping to take advantage of against the Fever. The introduction of Kiera Austin into the circle has paid off with the dynamic goaler able to create space. The West Coast Fever jumped out of the blocks last round with Stacey Francis showcasing her dynamic footwork and tenacity to hunt every ball that came her way. Potentially without captain Courtney Bruce it will be up to youngster Olivia Lewis to lead the way down in defence likely to match up on the experience of Bassett. But it will have to be a full court defensive effort from the Fever if they are to nullify the influence of both Bassett and Harten to post.

Defensively the GIANTS have been bolstered this season with the surprise inclusion of April Brandley. She provides a wealth of experience and Diamonds knowledge which will come in handy when in the circle with towering goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler. The goal shooter is the main avenue to goal for the Fever given her height and accuracy to post while in recent weeks she has showcased her range from long distance to secure a couple of impressive super shots. The increased workload and presence from Alice Teague-Neeld has paid dividends for the Fever as she has been able to draw the attention of defenders something that the GIANTS will have to be wary of in this clash. If Teague-Neeld can occupy Kristiana Manu’a and keep Sam Poolman busy it will allow Fowler to wreak havoc under the post.

If the West Coast Fever are able to isolate Fowler and Poolman in a one on one under the post it will go a long way in setting the tone for the game with the likes of Verity Charles and Ingrid Colyer in ripping form able to sight the Jamaican shooter from range.

Queensland Firebirds v. Collingwood Magpies
Tuesday, 11 August

As both teams are searching for their first win of the season, it will be a battle of the young guns across the court with a couple of experienced heads scattered throughout the line-up. With new shooting combinations across the board for both sides it will ultimately come down to the few tried and tested connections to get either side over the line.

Goal shooter Shimona Nelson did not skip a beat last round with the shooter taking everything in her stride and showcasing her aerial presence to reel in ball after ball. Nyah Allen took the competition by storm with the speedy goal attack bursting out onto the court and using her elite footwork and spatial awareness to deliver the ball into Nelson while also proving she was not afraid to put up shots herself. Gabby Sinclair has steadily developed throughout the season driving hard into the circle to provide an option to post. Defensively the Queensland Firebirds still have a young line-up with Tara Hinchliffe and Kim Jenner the typical starting defenders. Well held last week Jenner will be hoping to nullify the influence of both Allen and Sinclair to post to shut down Nelson in attack for the for the Pies. Rudi Ellis also proved last round that she has an exciting future ahead of her with the goal keeper using her height and lean over the shot to get in the head of goalers.

The midcourt tussle between Gabi Simpson and Kelsey or Madi Browne will be an intriguing one. Simpson has been in scintillating form with the wing defence throwing her body at absolutely everything in hope to provide a spark for her side something she will be hoping to replicate again this round. With attacking midcourt options aplenty for the Firebirds thanks to Macy Gardner, Lara Dunkley, Jemma Mi Mi and Mahalia Cassidy all able to rotate through the centre third it will be up to the Magpies to match their speed and dynamic movement through the likes of Kelly Altman, Molly Jovic and Melissa Bragg.

With Romelda Aiken under the post for the Queensland Firebirds and Tippah Dwan proving her worth it will come down to whether or not they are able to withstand the constant pressure from the experienced Geva Mentor, international Jodi-Ann Ward and up and coming defender Matilda Garrett.

NSW Swifts v. Adelaide Thunderbirds
Wednesday, 12 August

Looking to keep their undefeated record intact the New South Wales Swifts will be hoping to leave nothing to chance against a strong Adelaide Thunderbirds line-up. The Thunderbirds showcased their class and excitement last round in a strong performance and will be eager to replicate that again this round against the reigning premiers.

The Swifts have an incredibly versatile playing group with Sophie Garbin able to come on in both goal attack and goal shooter and deliver with her impressive accuracy, timing across the court, and read of the play. The influence of Sam Wallace under the post is also undeniable with the Trinidad and Tobago shooter able to score quickly and easily. Helen Housby also should not be underestimated with the goaler able to glide across the court seamlessly transition from a playmaker to a shooter within an instant. But the Thunderbirds are not without star power of their own especially in defence with Kate Shimmin able to get hands to ball despite being on the shorter side. The defensive prowess of Shamera Sterling is unmatched with the goal keeper able to inflict pain with her ball winning abilities, physicality under the post and determination to shut down any easy avenue to go. The potential rotation of Shimmin and Shadine van der Merwe could also pay dividends for the Thunderbirds in order to upset the Swifts attacking unit.

Boasting a young and relatively inexperienced midcourt could be the Achilles heels for the Thunderbirds given the  midcourt prowess of the Swifts in experienced campaigner Natalie Haythornthwaite, Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley. All three midcourters are incredibly crafty with ball in hand able to slice through the defence of any opposition and deliver the ball on a silver platter into the goaler. On the other hand it will be up to co-captain Chelsea Pitman to lead the charge with Maisie Nankivell finding her feet. Pitman is potent in attack able to hit circle edge thanks to her impressive timing and is constantly on the lookout to deliver into Lenize Potgieter under the post.

Still searching for that permanent goal attack position with Charlee Hodges, Georgie Horjus and Samantha Gooden all rotating through it will be up to the Swifts defenders in Sarah Klau and Lauren Moore to quell the influence of Potgieter under the post and force the young goal attacks to shoulder the load.

Melbourne Vixens v. Sunshine Coast Lightning
Wednesday, 12 August

The final game of the round is set to be a blockbuster between two undefeated sides in 2020. The Melbourne Vixens are coming off a dominant win last round while the Sunshine Coast Lightning survived a scare at the hands of the Collingwood Magpies in round two.

Cara Koenen has continued to go from strength to strength so far this season with the young goaler plying her trade both in goal attack and goal shooter. Koenen is cool, calm and collected under the post and not afraid to back herself from range, while Peace Proscovia has struggled for consistency at times she will be eager to assert herself against the Vixens line-up on Wednesday night with her strong holds. There is no denying that the Vixens have an incredibly tight defensive unit with Emily Mannix and Jo Weston a tried and tested combination down back, able to nullify the influence of the world’s best goalers with their smothering pressure. The introduction of Kate Eddy has worked wonders for the Vixens with the wing defence able to seamlessly transition into the goal circle within a blink of an eye and have an immediate impact thanks to a rangy arms and clever footwork to manoeuvre around the body of her opposition. After a false start in Round 2 all eyes will be drawn to whether or not Steph Wood takes the court with the goal attack able to dictate the play with her movement even if she does not influence the scoreboard.

There are key matchups across the court in this clash with one of the biggest matchups coming in the defensive circle for the Lightning as Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius match up against Melbourne Vixens trio Tegan Philip, Caitlin Thwaites and Mwai Kumwenda. Pretorius is renowned for her ability to make or break a game with her quick footwork and long arms while Maweni has showcased that she is not afraid to put her body on the line and enjoys the physical nature of the game. Thwaites and Philip are renowned for their long range shooting, an element the Lightning will have to be aware of when it comes to super shot time given their ability to blow teams out of the water with their accuracy.

The contest in the centre will be exciting as Laura Langman and Kate Moloney are not known to take a backwards step. In the end it will come down to whether or not the Lightning can shut down Liz Watson with the wing attack able to cut through the defence and dish up centimetre perfect passes time and time again.