A HUGE Round 9 of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) action was complete over the weekend, with a couple of unpredictable results standing out. In this series, Draft Central will look at five key learnings from the round whether it be consistent themes or standout performances.

Underdogs galore as bottom sides reign supreme

So much has happened so far this season, with big upset wins seemingly happening every single round. But this week appeared to flip the script entirely, as two of the bottom four teams produced huge wins and threw a spanner in the works for a couple of sides in finals contention. First up, the Melbourne Vixens claimed their second win of the season with a huge come-from-behind victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning. While the Vixens have been known this season for their second half comebacks, consistently performing better after the break, the side has rarely been able to capitalise on their form – but this time they managed it, with an unfortunately timed Phumza Maweni injury paying dividends for the Vixens who ran home with a huge scalp of the then-ladder leaders. Queensland Firebirds followed suit, downing a fatigued-looking GIANTS Netball outfit and NSW Swifts rounded out the underdog winners with a massive one-goal victory over the undefeated West Coast Fever.

Maddy Proud is back in peak form

It was a huge occasion for Swifts captain Maddy Proud on Sunday, playing her 100th match and getting a huge win against the Fever in the process. The versatile midcourter has rarely skipped a beat this season and that form was no different this round, coming in off the back of a couple weeks being shipped around the country and not looking troubled at all by the Swifts’ off-court quarantine woes. The centre was creative and relentless in her approach to the match, never out of the contest and weaving her way across the court with ease to wreak havoc in both offence and defence. Her never-say-die attitude and willingness to contest saw her hit the floor a number of times, however she was not fazed as she fired on all cylinders to produce 18 goal assists, an intercept and three deflections in an all-round excellent performance. Proud’s consistency this season will no doubt earn her a Diamonds berth if she can keep it up, with her trademark smiling assassin personality and patience doing a wealth of work to lead her side to victory.

Do not underestimate the Swifts

The Swifts have been somewhat of a smoky throughout the 2021 season, producing some excellent wins but also at times missing the mark with a couple of shaky results coming their way. But with an excellent Round 8 win behind them and now a huge scalp of the Fever this round, there is no doubt the now-ladder leaders have bounced back extremely well from their early season form to cement a spot in finals contention. Whilst somewhat known for making rotations willy-nilly, the Swifts have elevated their form this season and reduced their rate of changes, developing a much more consistent starting seven with only their impact players – such as Sophie Garbin and Tayla Fraser – being rotated into the mix. With Garbin a huge back-up for Sam Wallace and Fraser proving to be a critical part of the midcourt, no matter where she is positioned, the Swifts are building very nicely this season after a shaky 2020. Factor in Helen Housby‘s improved workrate this week and Maddy Turner‘s 2019 form returning, and the Swifts should not be underestimated as we enter the pointy end of the 2021 season.

Did the GIANTS peak too soon

This appears to be the question on everyone’s minds at the moment. The GIANTS recovered remarkably well from the loss of Kiera Austin during Round 1, however with the side struggling once more to find wins against the higher-ranked sides, it is time to question whether the GIANTS really do have the capacity to go all the way this season with inconsistencies sprouting up each week and an inability to capitalise on their early leads. The GIANTS looked very fatigued this week – stalwarts Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price in particular – and whilst one could blame that on hotel quarantine, the side is ultimately in the same position as the Swifts in that regard. Realistically, the GIANTS still have plenty of time to sort out their issues, whether that be inaccuracy or too much of a reliance on the super shot, but with the excellent talent at their disposal there really should be no doubt about the side’s finals capacity. Perhaps the issue is a lack of offensive and midcourt bench depth, or perhaps it is a bit of predictability in how they go about their game, but if the GIANTS do not clean up their act soon they could be in some real trouble come finals time.

Who will step up for the Magpies

It is safe to say the Magpies were in a tough position on the weekend, with Gabby Sinclair – the side’s saving grace over the past few rounds – ruled out with injury on Sunday morning, while a niggle kept Jodi-Ann Ward off the court throughout patches of the side’s loss to the Thunderbirds. Factor in an outstanding match from Shamera Sterling and Maisie Nankivell and there iss no doubt the Thunderbirds deserved the win in front of a home crowd, however it still begs the question once more of who will fire the Magpies up when they are on the receiving end of a steadily growing deficit. The Magpies have plenty of key players who are up to the task – thinking Geva Mentor and Kelsey Browne – however neither of those experienced heads had significant performances on the weekend that would really spur the side into action. Ash Brazill is a suitable candidate but there is only so much she can do when Browne is not firing, while it is hard for Shimona Nelson to fire up her side when she is being smothered from all angles by her defender. The Magpies are sure to get another win on the board with the talent at their disposal, but the side really needs to be reducing the scorelines and hav someone standing tall to propel the side forward if they want to achieve a much-needed finals berth to give the club some hope.

Picture credit: NSW Swifts Twitter