THE Suncorp Super Netball preliminary final saw some phenomenal matchups across the court with some highly talented players tussling to push their side into the grand final. 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 the preliminary final and note which players shifted the gears and switched up the momentum.

Sunshine Coast Lightning (59) defeated by West Coast Fever (73)

It was somewhat of a one-sided affair with the Lightning struggling to generate any forward momentum and well-held across the four quarters such was the dominance of the Fever. Although it was an even start to the game with the two-time premiers holding a narrow lead the Fever flicked a switch and with that they turned on, pressuring the ball carrier and making the Lightning work for every single pass down the court to snatch the lead and not look back.

The main takeaway from the game was the physicality the Fever inflicted on the Lightning. Sunshine Coast failed to combat the physical nature stemming from the defensive unit of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis, with the likes of Cara Koenen and Steph Wood pushed off the ball and bullied in the goal circle, unable to find space and continuously forced wide. Koenen was unable to hold her ground against the bigger body of Bruce with the defender’s constant movement and attacking nature upsetting the rhythm of Koenen in the circle, while Francis wore Wood like a glove, following her every move.

A lack of drive in the attacking third thanks to the constant defensive pressure ultimately cost the Lightning as they were unable to punch through the Fever’s wall and even if they did, Bruce and Francis were there to gobble up any rebounds or create tips and turnovers. The pressure out the front from Jess Anstiss and Verity Charles was monumental as it nullified the speed of Laura Scherian and Laura Langman and therefore negated the ball movement in the attacking third. The slow ball movement and predictable pattern allowed the Fever to pick off ball with great ease and therefore keep their foot on the throat of the Lightning who simply could not get going, falling at every hurdle thanks to the Fever’s execution across the court, hands over pressure and physicality to wear their opponents down.