AMONG the Round 9 highlights in this week’s Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) action is a game in Tasmania, as the Collingwood Magpies and Queensland Firebirds travel down to the Apple Isle on Sunday afternoon. We preview the four upcoming clashes.

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs West Coast Fever
Saturday, 5pm AEST
USC Stadium

This weekend’s task is a daunting one for the Lightning. After a few weeks of poor performances, they now have to tackle one of the in-form teams of the competition in the Fever.

The fact that the Lightning are at home will help them a little (the Fever’s two losses have both been away from home too), but if it is any help at all it will only be minor. USC Stadium was also the site of their 82 – 54 loss.

Then again, the Lightning did beat the Vixens at USC Stadium so anything can happen.

However, if the Lightning want any hope of victory, they have to find a way to quell the partnership between Sasha Glasgow and Jhaniele Fowler. Stop that, and they are in with a chance.

GIANTS Netball vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday, 7pm AEST
Ken Rosewall Arena

This could be a very interesting clash. The Vixens have been shaky in the past few weeks but got a confidence boosting win against the Firebirds last weekend.

They face a GIANTS side who came crashing back to earth a little last week against crosstown rivals the Swifts, and will be keen to get back on the winners list and avenge that loss.

The midcourt battle in particular will be an entertaining one. The likes of Kate Moloney and Liz Watson up against the likes of Amy Parmenter and Jamie-Lee Price should be a delight to watch.

Collingwood Magpies vs Queensland Firebirds
Sunday, 2pm AEST
MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania

The SSN heads to the Apple Isle as the Magpies host the Firebirds on Sunday afternoon. Both of these sides are coming off tough losses, so will be keen to avenge those results from last weekend and return to the winners list pronto.

The battle in the Firebirds attacking end/ Magpies defence end will be an entertaining one, and could ultimately be crucial in deciding the match.

The Firebirds’ attacking partnership of Gretel Bueta and Donnell Wallam have proved a handful at times, but they are coming up against one of the premier defence ends in Geva Mentor and Jodi-Ann Ward this weekend.

NSW Swifts vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
Sunday, 4pm AEST
Ken Rosewall Arena

Both of these sides find themselves in a similar situation with a similar predicament in terms of their season.

They have both been languishing in the bottom half of the table for a while. Although they both had good wins last weekend, need to really string a few wins together to get their season going and to give themselves any chance of making finals.  

It will be interesting to see which way the Thunderbirds go in terms of their shooting circle to tackle the at times dominant defence duo of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner. Will they go the tall/short route, or the shorter and more nimbler route?

Also the battle between Helen Housby and Shamera Sterling will be one to enjoy for all, whether they are a neutral fan or not.