THE 2019 Suncorp Super Netball grand final rematch was just as formidable a contest as fans expected, with the NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning going head to head, and the Lightning coming away with a huge seven-goal victory, completely nullifying the Swifts’ cleanliness and movement down the court.

A pressurised start to the game saw a couple of early errors from the Swifts with Karla Pretorius and Laura Langman punishing as ever driving the ball down the court. While the Swifts had all the momentum coming into the match, the Lightning displayed the urgency and hunt they needed to control much of the play. Despite a couple of slow weeks, the Lightning defence did an impressive job to clog up space though the Swifts’ patience paid off to steal back a one-goal lead with six minutes in the clock. 

Lauren Moore was quick to open her account with a great intercept, although Jacqui Russell got a crucial one back spotting the cross court ball to rocket back up the court. Helen Housby put away the first super shot for the game though the Lightning were quick to hit back with a couple single shots evening up the ledger and then taking the lead. The seesawing affair continued, with neither team able to swing the momentum their way. The Lightning managed to pull away for a three-goal lead to finish the quarter, though if anything was clear from the first quarter the match would continue to stay close with so many even contests across the court.

Tight defence from both sides opened the second quarter, with both teams struggling to penetrate the goal circle such was the defensive pressure. With clean and physical defence blocking access to the post, no players wanted to take the long bomb credit to the rebounding ability forcing a heap of short and sharp passes around the attack before hitting the ring. Moore continued to impress while the duo of Sophie Garbin and Sam Wallace switched up the circle movement nicely, keeping in touch with the Lightning thanks to their smooth moving and patience around the circle. Maddy Turner took the court for the first time this season as the Lightning called a time out, seeing Moore head to the bench, while Wallace’s effort on Phumza Maweni was solid, finding ball with ease under the post to draw even once more. 

The change was made through the midcourt between Langman and Maddy McAuliffe with Langman dropping back to wing defence in effort to nullify Maddy Proud and injecting a bit more attacking flair to the Lightning attack with Laura Scherian being held well by Sophie Craig. While the switch-up did not appear to have a huge impact at first, it opened up space a fraction more with Wood finding better space outside the circle to drive from. The tried and true combination of Sarah Klau and Turner paid off to deny any easy opportunities in the goal circle, blocking Wood from entering the super shot zone but still saw the Swifts down by three at half time credit to Cara Koenen’s clever movement. 

A great connection between Proud and Wallace to open the term started well although a knock to Housby saw an unprecedented change within thirty seconds as a potential corky put a spanner in the works as the goaler headed straight off court. The trust the Swifts have in their bench rotations paid off though, with Garbin taking the court once more. Fatigue seemed to set in for both teams as a couple niggles appeared on the court, tripping over toes and it was the Lightning that we’re able to play through it better as Maweni and Pretorius switched on to win back a heap of ball. Koenen was playing the game of her life at the other end, with her smooth moving allowing her to find easy access to the post. Langman’s rotation back into centre also allowed better movement for Wood, and with a big boost required by the Swifts, Housby re-entered the court. But as the Lightning continued to extend their lead, the Swifts seemed out of sorts and without an answer to Koenen at the post. A well-timed super shot to Housby allowed a bit of breathing room although with a seven goal lead still intact the Swifts needed more in attack if they wanted to execute a comeback in the final term, 10 goals down at the final change. 

Where Wallace had her way against Maweni early, the tables turned as the goal keeper continued her third quarter form and limited Wallace from having an impact. The Swifts defence needed to pick up and it seemed like Moore was up to the challenge, continuing to  hard on every ball but not reaping the reward given the Lightning’s full court defensive effort. Scherian’s build in form throughout the game was what allowed Koenen to ply her trade so well, seamlessly transitioning down the court thanks to the continuous turnover ball created by Maweni and Pretorius in defence. With 11 goals in it and just over five minutes on the clock, the Swifts still had a chance thanks to the super shot but only if the full court effort negated the Lightning’s impact. Two super shots on the trot certainly helped the Swifts’ case but the steady attack from the Lightning allowed a few easy goals back, denying chances of a Swifts comeback with every Koenen goal strong at the post. Despite a hearty attempt, the Lightning were just too good on this occasion for a huge 65-58 victory. 

Pretorius and Maweni were immense combining for 15 deflections and four intercepts (16 gains overall) while Koenen’s huge 52-goal effort earned her player of the match honours thanks to her 90 per cent accuracy. Wood (10 goals) and Scherian were impressive serving the ball on a platter to Koenen, racking up 15 assists apiece while Langman led the charge with 23 assists and two gains. For the Swifts, Moore was consistent as ever with five gains (three intercepts, two deflections) while Wallace was the main target at the post with 31 goals at 80 per cent, though Pretorius did her job well keeping both Garbin (nine goals) and Housby (eight goals, six super shots) quiet for the most part.

>>> LIGHTNING TEAM PAGE

>>> SWIFTS TEAM PAGE

>>> FULL MATCH STATS

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SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 17 | 12 | 21 | 15 (65)
NSW SWIFTS 14 | 12 | 14 | 18 (58)

STARTING SEVEN:

Lightning

GS: Cara Koenen
GA: Steph Wood
WA: Laura Scherian
C: Laura Langman
WD: Jacqui Russell
GD: Karla Pretorius
GK: Phumza Maweni

Swifts

GS: Sophie Garbin
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Nat Haythornthwaite
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Sophie Craig
GD: Lauren Moore
GK: Sarah Klau