IN the first game of the round the Sunshine Coast Lightning well and truly turned the tables on their Round 1 opponents Collingwood Magpies, delivering a 23-point thumping. It was the lowest score ever recorded by the black and white in their short history, unable to control both the attacking and defensive prowess of Sunshine Coast. The Lightning put on a masterclass in the final quarter keeping the Magpies to a mere six goals while piling on 16 goals themselves.

Both sides got out to a relatively even start with the attack ends settling and finding good space under the post. As opposed to Round 1, Ugandan shooter Peace Proscovia got the nod and made no mistake with the holding shooter making her presence felt under the post early, converting 11 from 13 at 85 per cent. Her partner in crime Steph Wood also did a wealth of work out the front and hit the scoreboard with four goals from five attempts, highlighting the Lightning’s intent to attack. Defensively for the Magpies, Geva Mentor led the way using her intricate knowledge of the Lightning to put doubt in the feeders’ minds, coming out hunting with three gains and one intercept. Athletic wing defence Ash Brazill also threw her weight around in the opening term using her speed and read of the play to get timely tips and fancy footwork around the circle edge to regain possession for the Pies with two gains and an intercept. Up the other end, Magpies goalers Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst had a relatively hot start with the connection between the two slowly growing. Nelson used her aerial skill and clever footwork to edge closer the post in the opening term nailing 11 goals from 14 attempts.

Up by two goals, the Lightning pushed hard to try and extend the lead with South African international Phumza Maweni attacking the hands of Nelson and coming out hunting. She really set the tone for the Lightning with her attacking style and desire to win the ball back picking up three gains, one intercept, two deflections and two rebounds in the second quarter. Karla Pretorius built into the game nullifying the impact of Medhurst and picking up plenty of ball with three gains. The Magpies shooters were feeling the heat but the midcourt players took control with Kelsey Browne and Kim Ravaillion working their way through the defence to hit circle edge. In her 100th national league game, Ravaillion showcased her running ability and defensive mindset with a clever pick-up and netball smarts to use her full three seconds and release into the goal circle. Browne used her dynamic footwork and quick hands to provide plenty of ball into Nelson and Medhurst but inaccuracy plagued the Collingwood frontline heading into the main break down by six.

The Lightning looked slick and controlled across the court credit to their clever transition and composure with ball in hand. Veteran Silver Fern centre, Laura Langman cranked it up a gear in the third term showcasing her endurance and netball smarts to repeatedly hit the circle edge with pace and precision while also showing her defensive side. Langman showcased her read of the play and three foot marking with three pick-ups and two gains. With Langman firing, Laura Scherian lifted in intensity using her speed to zip around the court and attack the circle edge. Her perfectly weighted passes into Proscovia and Wood provided them with plenty of scoring opportunities with seven goal assists for the term. April Brandley struggled to get into the game with Wood dictating space and forcing her into no mans land on multiple occasion while Brazill tried to spark the Pies into action with her three deflections.

Collingwood looked flat footed and lacked intensity while the Lightning found another level and exploited Collingwood in all areas across the court to go on a scoring rampage in the final quarter. Pretorius had a day out with the speedy goal defence wreaking havoc in the goal circle and across the court. Her ability to read the play and get hands to ball was exceptional, while her footwork to cleanly manoeuvre around the body of her opponent was equally as impressive. In the last term alone she racked up a massive six gains, three intercepts and three deflections and ended the match with a staggering 12 gains, six intercepts and five deflections showcasing her incredible defensive talent. Her work with Maweni forced changes in the Magpies goal circle with Nelson coming off midway through the fourth with Medhurst donning the goal shooter bib and Gabby Sinclair out in front. Sinclair slotted in seamlessly nailing four goals from six attempts while defensively the Magpies were still searching for that energy with young gun Matilda Garrett replacing Brandley and having an immediate impact. Garrett picked up two gains, one intercept and four deflections. The Lightning also emptied their bench with Cara Koenen replacing Wood scoring four goals and Jacqui Russel coming on for Madeline McAuliffe in wing defence.

STARTING LINE-UPS:

Sunshine Coast Lightning:

GS | Peace Proscovia
GA | Steph Wood
WA | Laura Scherian
C | Laura Langman
WD | Madeline McAuliffe
GD | Karla Pretorius
GK | Geva Mentor

Collingwood Magpies:

GS | Shimona Nelson
GA | Nat Medhurst
WA | Kelsey Browne
C | Kim Ravaillion
WD | Ash Brazill
GD | April Brandley
GK | Geva Mentor