WITH the race home for finals approaching, Round 9 of Suncorp Super Netball saw some phenomenal matchups across every games and some highly talented players take the court. The condensed fixture and introduction of rolling subs this year have seen plenty of young names already jump on the court and have a huge impact despite their lack of experience. We take a look at each game and note which players shifted the gears and switched up the momentum.

GIANTS Netball (53) defeated by Melbourne Vixens (73)

The tables well and truly turned for the worse for the GIANTS in the third term as the Vixens looked to put their foot down and made a change in the defensive goal circle with Kate Eddy pulling on the goal defence bib. Eddy starred with her long arms and hunt for the ball picking up two gains while Emily Mannix lifted amassing two gains and an intercept of her own. Their pressure affected the GIANTS as inaccuracy plagued the frontend, with shots going left, right and centre and the trio of Kiera Austin, Jo Harten and Caitlin Bassett going at a combined 50 per cent for the term. The increased defensive pressure from the Vixens caused a wealth of headaches for the GIANTS as they simply could simply not buy a goal with Harten unable to hit the scoreboard in her four minutes on court and Austin only converting three of her seven attempts.

Collingwood Magpies (54) defeated by NSW Swifts (69)

A final quarter demolition from the Swifts ended any hopes Collingwood had of mounting a comeback as the reigning premiers piled on a whopping 21 goals to 12. Goal keeper Sarah Klau displayed her ball winning abilities tearing apart the Magpies attacking unit, racking up three intercepts and three deflections for her efforts. Klau simply denied Emma Ryde, Nyah Allen and Gabby Sinclair any easy avenue to goal as she controlled the airways and defensive third overall to pick off a number of passes. She was not the only player who lifted her output with youngster Kelly Singleton settling into the game and wreaking havoc to shoot at 100 per cent for the term, sinking five goals – two of which were super shots.

Adelaide Thunderbirds (50) defeated by Sunshine Coast Lightning (56)

With only two goals separating the sides at quarter time the second term became a Karla Pretorius special with the Lightning goal defence putting on a spectacle and continuously getting hands to ball. In this quarter alone, Pretorius managed a whopping four intercepts displaying just how damaging she can be given her ability to read the play and go-go gadget arms to reel in passes. The connection with Phumza Maweni really came to life with the goal keeper also creating deflections to stop the ease in which the Thunderbirds were scoring and tilt the game in their favour.

Queensland Firebirds (60) defeated by West Coast Fever (71)

It was a comprehensive performance from Jamaican and West Coast Fever shooting sensation, Jhaniele Fowler. The goal shooter had the ball on a string in the opening three quarters putting up a commanding 18 goals straight in the opening term such was her strength and accuracy. Fowler was unstoppable under the post despite whatever the Firebirds threw at her with Tara Hinchliffe and Rudi Ellis getting a run at her. It was clear how the injury to Ingrid Colyer altered their potency in attack however, as the Fever lost the final term 18 goals to 16. Colyer was clever with ball in hand dishing off passes to Fowler with great precision and variety but without her in the final quarter the ball movement was slightly stagnant allowing the Firebirds to eat into the margin.