ROUND 7 sees the 2019 Suncorp Super Netball season hit the halfway point, with some massive results so far dictating both the ladder and form of teams in the early stages of the competition. This is the final round before the fixture starts over, meaning the last chance to come in and cause a big upset before sides take on their Round 1 opposition once more. With some lineups all but settled and some new international players scattered throughout the competition, this round will be huge in setting the scene for the second half of the season. The round sees top versus bottom before the Melbourne derby takes place on Monday’s Queen’s Birthday match.

Adelaide Thunderbirds v. Sunshine Coast Lightning

The Lightning will hope to bounce back this round after a 10 goal loss to the Vixens on Saturday, and against the Thunderbirds they should be able to get the job done. The court will be packed with international names as both teams boast some big imports, with nine internationals likely to start on court. The battle through attack and defence across the court will be massive, with the likes of opposition defenders Shamera Sterling and Karla Pretorius sure to bounce back stronger than ever after respective average performances last round, seeing both players take the bench in an unprecedented change. Meanwhile, Layla Guscoth and Phumza Maweni both have the ability to change a match with their strong hands over pressure. Lightning’s midcourt will likely be the game changer, with the speed and skill of Laura Langman, Laura Scherian and Maddy McCauliffe unstoppable if given the space through the centre third. Meanwhile, Thunderbirds’ midcourt in Kelly Altmann, Hannah Petty, Chelsea Pitman and new South African recruit, Shadine Van Der Merwe are still adjusting to a new structure so may not be able to come up with the ball against the Lightning’s smooth movers. The opposition in attack will be massive, with big names in Steph Wood, Peace Proscovia, Maria Folau and Sasha Glasgow bookending the court. With experience at both ends against their opposition’s respective defensive unit, it will be interesting how much ball penetrates the circle edge given the speed, expertise and ability to come up with intercepts in both circles.

West Coast Fever v. GIANTS Netball

The GIANTS gained back some momentum last round with a win over the Thunderbirds, while the growing confidence of the Fever will give the side a massive boost to come into this round. This match will be another told through the midcourt pressure, with the shooting and defensive load relatively even. The Fever play a very physical brand of netball while the GIANTS never shy away from contesting a ball, so it will be a great contest all round. One of the biggest matchups is between Diamonds starters, Caitlin Bassett and Courtney Bruce, with the dominant pair able to read the other’s movements to a tee. Bassett’s work rate has improved this season along with her teamwork with goal attack, Jo Harten rapidly increasing as the season goes on. With a dominant two-pronged attack it will depend on what Stacey Francis can do to stop Harten from putting up shots that will tell the tale of this match. Through the midcourt is GIANTS veteran wing attack, Kim Green, young Diamond Jamie-Lee Price and young defender Amy Parmenter, who has had a massive few weeks, coming up against speedy Ingrid Colyer, Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss. With some great midcourt defenders in the mix, the loose ball get will be on show for whoever can pick up the scraps and convert more attempts. Down in Fever’s attack, Kaylia Stanton is gradually growing more dominant in goal attack, providing more ball to both the post and her shooting partner in Jhaniele Fowler, while her hands over pressure in the midcourt almost rivals Harten’s midcourt defensive ability. Defensively, Fowler and Stanton will come up against the growing teamwork of Sam Poolman and Kristiana Manu’a, who were phenomenal last round against the Thunderbirds.

Queensland Firebirds v. NSW Swifts

It is a battle of top and bottom in the weekend’s only Sunday match as the Firebirds host the Swifts as they continue to search for an elusive first win. The Firebirds have come close twice with two draws on the board, but to no avail as they continue to struggle with consistency and momentum. Meanwhile, the Swifts have dominated this season so far, only dropping one match and winning convincingly over both Victorian sides over the past few rounds. The midcourt work of the Swifts has been phenomenal so far this season, with the likes of Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley dominating every time they take the court. The confidence and speed of Helen Housby pairs well with the midcourters, while the reliability of Sam Wallace at the post has been a force to be reckoned with this season. Defensively, the likes of Kate Eddy and Sophie Halpin have shared the role of wing defence well, injecting some flair and excitement into the position with the security of Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau doing the hard work in the circle. The Firebirds may have had some injury woes this season but still cannot be taken lightly, with a win likely to surface in the coming weeks. Gretel Tippett is the one to watch, with her dominant efforts in goal attack eclipsing the rest of the side credit to her accuracy and volume this season. Her work with Abigail Latu-Meafou last round had some great potential, while the likes of Lenize Potgieter is likely to at least see the bench this week if not taking the court. Caitlyn Nevins put on a standout performance last week getting on the circle edge to produce scoring opportunities, while Jemma MiMi brings some fantastic speed to the midcourt. Defensively, Gabi Simpson has been a force in wing defence so will be a very interesting opposition to Proud, while the likes of Tara Hinchliffe, Kim Jenner and Laura Clemesha will likely rotate through the circle to deny ball and apply pressure to Wallace and Housby.

Melbourne Vixens v. Collingwood Magpies

It is the first Queen’s Birthday match of Suncorp Super Netball, as the Vixens and Magpies join forces for FightMND before battling it out for bragging rights in the Melbourne Derby. The Vixens have put up some exceptional performances but have struggled with consistency across matches so will look to continue their Round 6 form, while the Magpies will be out to back up their preseason Team Girls Cup victory. It will be the first time Caitlin Thwaites takes the court against her old side in the Magpies, and while a number of new players have since put on the black and white dress, the same core team will be her opposition. Thwaites is sure to line up against Geva Mentor and April Brandley, who despite being benched in intervals last round will both be as strong as ever. With plenty of experience facing off in the past, Brandley’s ability to cause errors and Mentor’s footwork and cleanliness will need to be on fire to produce turnovers from the smooth moving Thwaites and Tegan Philip. Through the midcourt is a mix of Australian stars, looking at the likes of Vixens’ Kate Moloney, Liz Watson and Renae Ingles against Collingwood’s Kim Ravaillion, Kelsey Browne and Ash Brazill. Ingles will be tasked with the job on Browne, and while Browne has not hit her full potential yet this season, the speedster has the ability to be a game changer if left to her own devices. Ingles’ defensive pressure has given Moloney and Watson room to move and create some outstanding offensive pressure this season, sharing the load and challenging every opportunity at possession. Meanwhile, the Magpies’ Brazill and Ravaillion are equally dominant across the court and around the circle, picking up the loose ball and feeding well through the midcourt. Down the other end, Vixens defenders, Emily Mannix and Jo Weston will have their work cut out for them against young aerial shooter, Shimona Nelson and the focus and experience of Nat Medhurst.