PASSING the half way point of the season the race for finals intensifies with a couple of teams all vying for that elusive fourth spot. After some big losses last round, expect Collingwood and the Lightning to bounce back while the Vixens hope to hold onto top spot in Round 9 of the Suncorp Super Netball season.

GIANTS Netball v. Melbourne Vixens
Tuesday, 1 September

The top of the table Melbourne Vixens will be looking for their eighth win of the season and firmly secure their spot while the GIANTS will be hoping to work their way back into the top four. Both sides have struggled to find a consistent shooting combination but have proven they have options aplenty.

Still toying with their best starting seven, the GIANTS will be hoping to inflict some early scoreboard pain with Jo Harten and Kiera Austin proving to be a menace from the super shot zone. Not getting a consistent amount of time on court, Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has highlighted her skill to be an impact player and could once again be the trump card needed to upset the Vixens defensive unit. Emily Mannix is a strong force in goal keeper with the defender able to get hands to ball and stop the ball from entering the goal circle, while Jo Weston is also renowned for her ball tracking ability and hands over pressure to force turnovers. Kate Eddy has made a seamless transition into the Vixens making the wing defence position her own often getting tips and deflections to regain possession,

It will be a ferocious battle in the mid court with both Kate Moloney and Jamie-Lee Price set to go head to head. Neither player are known for their ability to take a backward step, often contesting every single pass and throwing their body on the line to win ball. Liz Watson has been in ripping form for the Melbourne Vixens with the wing attacks slicing up her opposition with her dynamic footwork and change of direction but will have her work cut out for her against up and coming youngster Amy Parmenter who is proven that she oozes nothing but class and determination. The Vixens will be hoping that the combination of Caitlin Thwaites, Tegan Philip and Mwai Kumwenda can all hit the scoreboard with relative ease and take out the the influence of Sam Poolman, Kristiana Manu’a, April Brandley and Matilda McDonnell.

Collingwood Magpies v. NSW Swifts
Tuesday, 1 September

Coming off another disappointing loss the Magpies will be keen to work their way up off the bottom of the ladder, while the Swifts will also be hoping to jump back on the winners list. Last time these two sides met Collingwood pushed the reigning premiers to their limits, falling just short.

The Swifts have lacked continuity throughout season 2020 often swapping and changing players and most importantly have not been able to treasure possession as regularly as they did last year. The connection between Helen Housby, Sam Wallace and Sophie Garbin has been hit and miss something the Collingwood defensive unit in Geva Mentor, Jodi-Ann Ward and Matilda Garrett will be looking to exploit. Through the midcourt Natalie Haythornthwaite and Maddy Proud have often rotated that wing attack position struggling to hit circle edge with great penetration another area Collingwood will look to break down through Mel Bragg and Molly Jovic.

The influence of Paige Hadley in wing defence has been huge for the Swifts with the centre court player providing that drive and defensive pressure while Sophie Craig is another option to fill the role. Collingwood have a wealth of speedsters to choose from through the midcourt with Madi Browne hopefully returning after missing last round, Kelsey Browne, Kelly Altmann and Jovic. In the goal circle, Shimona Nelson has been a bit shaky but Gabby Sinclair has proven she is more than capable to lead the way under the post with her long bomb shooting and cut and drive. Still working her way into match fitness Maddy Turner will be hoping to have a more profound impact while Lauren Moore has proven to be a ball winning machine alongside Sarah Klau in defence making for a hotly contested match.

Adelaide Thunderbirds v. Sunshine Coast Lightning
Wednesday, 2 September

Both teams will be licking their wounds after Round 8 making for a highly anticipated clash. A loss for the Thunderbirds could make it hard for them to make finals, while the Lightning could slip out of the four meaning this game has huge repercussions when it comes to ladder positioning.

The Lightning will be out for revenge after their poor showing last round with Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius expected to capitalise and go out hunting against a relatively young frontend. Georgie Horjus has taken the competition by storm with the goal attack slicing up the goal circle thanks to her hard drives and spatial awareness paired with her ability to go to post. She often brings the likes of Lenize Potgieter into the game, while Sasha Glasgow is another handy option under the post with her strong holds and rebounds. Wing attack Chelsea Pitman is in career best form, while fellow midcourters Maisie Nankivell and Hannah Petty have showcased their drive and determination throughout the season making for an enthralling contest against the likes of Laura Langman and Laura Scherian.

Inside the goal circle, the Lightning possess options aplenty with Cara Koenen able to seamlessly transition between goal shooter to goal attack in a heartbeat while Steph Wood has shown she can swing into wing attack with ease. Peace Proscovia has been relatively up and down in season 2020 but should not be underestimated given her strength. However the Thunderbirds are not without star power of their own; Shamera Sterling a ball winning magnet while England Roses duo Kate Shimmin and Layla Guscoth often rotate through that goal defence position to keep their opposition guessing.

Queensland Firebirds v. West Coast Fever
Wednesday, 2 September

Both sides will be riding a wave of confidence coming off some impressive performances over the weekend making for an enticing match. It will be a battle of the Jamaican goal shooters with Romelda Aiken and Jhaniele Fowler both in scintillating form for their respective teams.

Aiken is in career best form with the goal shooter leading the way under the post and providing a wealth of experience and composure in the goal circle. Her connection with Tippah Dwan has developed at a rate of knots throughout the season with the youngster backing herself from range time and time again, while through the midcourt the likes of Mahalia Cassidy and Jemma Mi Mi have showcased their ability to tear open a game with their speed and precise ball movement into the circle. The Fever have no shortage of options when it comes to defence with Courtney Bruce a dominant forcing goalkeeper while both Olivia Lewis and Sunday Aryang have proven to be handy inclusions in the defensive rotation. Stacey Francis is another handy option for the fever with the England Roses defender able to swing between wing defence and circle defence depending on the needs of the team.

The contest between Kim Jenner and Alice Teague-Neeld will be one to watch with the duo boasting plenty of speed and excitement. Teague-Neeld is coming off a strong performance last round, while Jenner has shown that she is no slouch, able to pick up ball and change the course of a game within a blink of an eye. Her partnership with Tara Hinchliffe is arguably one of the most damaging elements for the Firebirds while Gabi Simpson is a workhorse out the front able to block the drive of Ingrid Colyer and Verity Charles to disrupt the flow in the Fevers attacking end.