THERE have been plenty of twists and turns heading into Round 9 of Suncorp Super Netball action with five of the eight teams forced to relocate to Melbourne due to the current COVID-19 restrictions across the country. We preview the updated round.

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs. Melbourne Vixens
Saturday, July 3 @3:00pm

Travelling down from the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne the battle between the Lightning and Vixens is set to be a cracker. The Lightning just snuck over the line against the Magpies last week in an overtime thriller and will be hoping to up the ante this round against a struggling Vixens outfit. It was a controversial week for the Vixens who were unable to play their match against the Fever so will be hoping to prove a point with a couple weeks between matches.

The contest inside the circle for both sides will be what determines the game with Emily Mannix back in the mix after missing a couple of weeks with an injured knuckle. The combination between Mannix and Jo Weston is one of the best in the business and they will have to be on song when they come up against Cara Koenen and Steph Wood. Koenen is renowned for her baseline drives and versatility, able to push out to goal attack if needed to allow Peace Proscovia to be an impact player. The Lightning front-end is highly dynamic with the midcourt players flexible given Laura Scherian can swing into wing attack or centre and Maddy McAuliffe can move from wing defence to centre in a heartbeat.

The Vixens are still trying to find their best combination through the midcourt with Kate Moloney spending time in both centre and wing attack while Hannah Mundy is steadily developing. The real bone of contention lies in the goal circle, as without Rahni Samason the Vixens will be looking to either Ruby Barkmeyer or Kaylia Stanton to take out the goal attack role given the dominance of Mwai Kumwenda at home under the post in goal shooter. But both Barkmeyer and Stanton have struggled for court time in recent weeks which will play into the hands of Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni with the Lightning defenders real ball magnets.

NSW Swifts vs. West Coast Fever
Sunday, July 4 @1:00pm

The Fever were embroiled in controversy last week but will be eager to put that behind them and put out a strong performance against the Swifts who have been in equally as good form. The contest between the two sides is sure to be an enthralling one as the Swifts hold third spot on the ladder and the Fever sit in fourth despite being undefeated.

There is no denying that the Swifts’ main focus will be shutting down Jhaniele Fowler at the post with the Jamaican goal shooter just about unstoppable when given enough time and space. Her connection with both Alice Teague-Neeld and Sasha Glasgow is second to none with the two goal attacks able to release pinpoint passes into the circle. Speaking of pinpoint passes, it is hard to go past the services of Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss with the midcourt pair able to slice and dice through the defence with great ease. Although Sarah Klau is not the most dynamic defender in the competition, she has an uncanny ability to grind down her opponent and will need to do that against Fowler. She will also need support from the likes of Maddy Turner or Lauren Moore in the circle while the hands over pressure stemming from Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud will also be monumental in slowing down the Fever.

The Swifts have an exciting front-end headlined by Sam Wallace and Helen Housby with the two internationals boasting plenty of flair and excitement. Wallace is a cool, calm and collected customer but will have to endure a wealth of physical attention from Courtney Bruce who is renowned for her constant niggle. Out the front for the Fever, Sunday Aryang is a real ball winner with her long arms and closing speed allowing her to cause a ruckus much like Stacey Francis-Bayman who has found her home out in wing defence meaning Nat Haythornthwaite, Tayla Fraser and the like will have to be crafty and earn their position on circle edge.

Adelaide Thunderbirds vs. Collingwood Magpies
Sunday, July 4 @3:00pm

The match between Adelaide and Collingwood is the only game to be played outside of Victoria this round with the Magpies making the trek to South Australia. The Magpies are currently sitting in fifth on the ladder while the Thunderbirds are down in seventh, however only one win separates the two sides, making the implications of this game huge.

It will be a battle of the two Jamaican internationals with Shimona Nelson leading the way for Collingwood and Shamera Sterling handed the job of shutting her down at the post. Nelson proved just what she is capable of last round with her sticky hands and fancy footwork but Sterling is a ball-hungry defender that never shies away from a contest. It will come down to the work of Gabby Sinclair and if she is able to increase her load to the post if Nelson is nullified. The Thunderbirds have plenty of defensive options with Matilda Garrett arguably in career-best form, Latanya Wilson proving to be a real livewire and the reliability of Shadine van der Merwe all coming to the fore but in need of consistency.

The midcourt is where the action will happen with the Thunderbirds often chopping and changing players. Maisie Nankivell is still adjusting to that wing attack role and will not have it easy up against superstar Ash Brazill who is renowned for her sheer athleticism and endurance. Molly Jovic and Kelsey Browne are building a damaging connection for Collingwood meaning the likes of Hannah Petty and van der Merwe will have to be on their A-game. Jodi-Ann Ward is coming off one of her best outings to-date and will be hoping to replicate that against an inconsistent Thunderbirds attack headlined by Lenize Potgieter and Georgie Horjus, and while Sam Gooden has proven to be a super shot expert they cannot rely on her to change the course of the game.

Queensland Firebirds vs. GIANTS Netball
Sunday, July 4 @5:00pm

The final game of the round is set to be a physical one to say the least. Both the Firebirds and GIANTS are renowned for their niggle and dogged style of defence making this game a real battle. The Firebirds are yet to live up to their expectations this season while the GIANTS have rekindled their winning form, creating an intriguing contest.

The dynamic combination between Gretel Bueta and Romelda Aiken is where the game will be won or lost. If the pair are able to pour on the shooting pressure early and Aiken is a threat to post, then the GIANTS defence in April Brandley and Sam Poolman will be pushed onto the back foot. Throw in the long range shooting of Tippah Dwan and Queensland have a well-rounded front end. They also boast plenty of depth through the midcourt with Lara Dunkley and Jemma Mi Mi exciting prospects through that wing attack position but will not have things all their own way given the form Amy Parmenter is in. The centre battle will be influential with both Jamie-Lee Price and Kim Ravaillion in scintillating form and barometers for their respective sides.

The Firebirds are at their best when Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe are able to let loose in defence and go out hunting. But both Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer demand constant attention given their proficiency to post and range meaning the Firebirds will have to double down, shake up their defensive style, and really dull down the impact of Maddie Hay. Queensland will be hoping to force the GIANTS goalers to circle edge and not allow any easy passage into the circle if they are to cause an upset.

Photo credit: NSW Swifts