ROUND 8 of the Suncorp Super Netball sees a number of ladder defining matches as the top four teams all go head to head and look to secure their spot. Meanwhile, Collingwood and Queensland continue their hunt for their second win of the season.

Melbourne Vixens v. NSW Swifts
Saturday, 29 August

In a battle of first versus second the Melbourne Vixens will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table while the Swifts will be out to prove that they are still to be the team to beat in 2020. Both teams are coming off seven goal victories and have shown that they know how to win even if it is ugly, able to grind out games and take advantage of their experience across the court.

Rotating goalers seems to be the main focus for both sides with the Melbourne Vixens able to bring on Caitlin Thwaites, Tegan Philip and Mwai Kumwenda seamlessly while the Swifts boast the likes of Helen Housby, Sophie Garbin and Sam Wallace. All three Vixens shooters offer a different element to the attacking unit with Liz Watson and Kate Moloney able to adapt their game play on the fly meaning the Swifts will have to work in overdrive to stop their flow. Sarah Klau is a menace in defence with the goal keeper able to gobble up a wealth of ball, go out hunting and pressure the shot. Returning from injury Maddy Turner is still finding her groove while Lauren Moore has shown that she is more than capable of changing the course of a game with her intercepting ability.

The midcourt battle will be one of interest as Paige Hadley has slotted nicely into the wing defence position, switching in and out with Sophie Craig who has also spent time in goal defence in recent weeks. The Swifts have options aplenty through the centre third with Tayla Fraser a real pocket rocket while Maddy Proud is coming off an MVP performance. England Roses star Natalie Haythornthwaite often flies under the radar but her connection with Helen Houbsy has been faultless often providing that much needed spark in attack for the Swifts. The Vixens however do not lack star power of their own with Emily Mannix, Jo Weston and Kate Eddy all commanding forces down in defence, renowned for their intimidating three-foot marking and increased versatility.

Collingwood Magpies v. GIANTS Netball
Saturday, 29 August

Coming off a win the GIANTS will be looking to make it back to back victories while on the other hand Collingwood will be out for some form of redemption to get back on the winners list. Collingwood have not won a game since Round 3 despite being close a couple of times while the GIANTS have had a rollercoaster couple of weeks and are looking to secure a spot in the top four.

After spending a wealth of time on the bench, Caitlin Bassett came out firing last round and will be looking to own that goal shooter position against the experienced Geva Mentor. Joining Mentor down back, Jodi-Ann Ward has proven to be a solid pick-up for Collingwood with the Jamaican defender contesting every single pass while Matilda Garrett is another impact player thanks to her hands over pressure. But the GIANTS boast a stacked line-up in the frontend with Jo Harten and Kiera Austin able to attack the super shot and cause some real scoreboard pressure for Collingwood who have been off the boil the past couple of games.

Sam Poolman is renowned for her body-on-body physical approach to the game and if she is able to contest the hands of Shimona Nelson could be in for a huge game. Emma Ryde has shown strong patches of play for Collingwood while Gabby Sinclair has proven to a be a consistent performer for the Pies whether it be under the post or from range. However the GIANTS have the likes of Kristiana Manu’a and April Brandley at their disposal who can shut down the influential Sinclair in attack. With speed to burn through the midcourt with Madi and Kelsey Browne for Collingwood and Jamie-Lee Price and Maddie Hay for the GIANTS it will be about which team can settle first and control the tempo of the game. Although Collingwood have no shortage of options through the centre third with Molly Jovic and Kelly Altmann also strong options alongside the Brownes, they sometimes lack that finesse – something Amy Parmenter will be hoping to take advantage of.

Queensland Firebirds v. Adelaide Thunderbirds
Sunday, 30 August

Both sides dropped their last game and are seeking some type of consistency in their game play. Falling agonisingly short last round the Firebirds will be hoping to put out a full four quarter performance to keep themselves off the bottom of the ladder while the Thunderbirds will be keen to climb back into the top four and capitalise on their chances in attack.

This game is set up for a tantalising battle between Jamaican teammates Romelda Aiken and Shamera Sterling with Aiken arguably in career best form. Aiken is a real barometer for the Firebirds, able to command the ball and use her athleticism to dominate her defender while Sterling reads the play exceptionally well to cause havoc in the defence and pick off passes. The frequent rotation between Layla Guscoth and Kate Shimmin has worked wonders for the Thunderbirds with the defensive unit not skipping a beat while the pressure out the front from Shadine van der Merwe and Maisie Nankivell is next level meaning the Firebirds will have to be on their a-game if they are to overrun Adelaide. Tippah Dwan has been a revelation in season 2020 with the goal attack prone to the super shot and a smooth mover in the goal circle while the efforts of Jemma Mi Mi and Mahalia Cassidy on the attack are another focal point for the Firebirds.

The defensive duo of Tara Hinchliffe and Kim Jenner has developed at a rate of knots so far this season with the two posing a constant threat down back, able to go out for a screamer and put fear into the opposition team. The contest between Georgie Horjus and Jenner will be one to watch while the versatility in the goal circle could pay dividends for the T’birds with Lenize Potgieter working seamlessly with both Horjus and Sasha Glasgow. However it will all come down to the battle between the two captains as Chelsea Pitman and Gabi Simpson are likely to match up. Both players set the tone for their sides with Pitman in scintillating form and Simpson a dominant figure around circle edge.

West Coast Fever v. Sunshine Coast Lightning
Sunday, 30 August

The final game of the round could change the top four with the fourth placed Fever taking on the third place Lightning. The Fever are coming off a dominant win while the Lightning will be ruing their final quarter performance making for a tight tussle between the two sides.

There is no denying that Jhaniele Fowler is the go-to girl in attack for the West coast Fever with the Jamaican goal shooter simply unstoppable under the post. her influence is what dictates the tone of the game for West Coast meaning Phumza Maweni will have her work cut out for her given the height differential. Alice Teague-Neeld and Kaylia Stanton are the other key cogs in attack for the Fever with their ability to feed into Fowler while Ingrid Colyer is another livewire with her deft touch and ball placement. However Sunshine Coast have plenty of star power of their own to combat the Fever frontline with Karla Pretorius renowned for her hunt of the ball and ability to nullify the influence of her opposition while both Maddy McAuliffe and Jacqui Russell have shared the wing defence role exceptionally well, able to come on and build a mountain load of pressure.

In attack Laura Langman and Laura Scherian are workhorses for the Lightning while Steph Wood is the undeniable playmaker with her quick feet and hot hands to dish off the ball. Cara Koenen has continued to develop at a rate of knots while Peace Proscovia has proven to be an impact player under the post. The Fever have an endless supply of defensive options with Olivia Lewis, Sunday Aryang, Stacey Francis and captain Courtney Bruce all viable options down back to quell the influence of the Lightning attackers.