WITH one day of games down and another to come, there were plenty of terrific team and individual performances in the Suncorp Super Netball’s Team Girls Cup. The pre-season tournament was designed as a hitout for all eight clubs with two groups of four playing off against each other, with the top side from each group advancing to the final.

Sunshine Coast Lightning (30) defeated Adelaide Thunderbirds (26)

A strong first half set the reigning premiers up for a tight four-goal victory against last year’s wooden spooners. The Lightning raced away to lead by four at the first break and eight at half time, before Adelaide showed why they are likely to trouble teams more this season, outscoring their highly fancied opponents, 16-12 in the second half. While the Lightning walked away with a higher shooting accuracy (73-65 per cent), the Thunderbirds should be pleased having matched the reigning premiers in most areas, finishing the game with more rebounds, intercepts and deflections. The Lightning’s Ugandan star, Peace Proscovia was the difference in the goal circle with an accuracy of 93.8 per cent, while Steph Wood contributed three goals from four attempts. Laura Scherian and Laura Langman were productive in the midcourt with 24 combined feeds and 13 goal assists. For the Thunderbirds, Kelly Altmann stood tall with a game-high 17 feeds and nine goal assists, while Sasha Glasgow was the main shooter with 21 goals from 29 attempts. All eyes will turn to star wing attack and England Roses player Chelsea Pitman who went down with what appears to be an achilles injury early in the game.

West Coast Fever (28) defeated by Collingwood Magpies (40)

A deadly accurate Collingwood Magpies showed fans a stacked midcourt would only be a help for the season ahead, after defeating last year’s grand finalists, West Coast Fever by 12 goals. Despite the best efforts of the Fever’s defensive end, Collingwood’s goal circle and midcourt proved damaging when in sync, winning all four quarters in a performance that raised some eyebrows. The Magpies scored double-figures in three of the four quarters on the way to a 40-28 victory. Former Thunderbird, Shimona Nelson slotted in seamlessly in the goal circle, finishing with 27 goals from 28 attempts. The Magpies did not use Nat Medhurst, instead opting for Tasmanian Magpie grand final hero, Gabrielle Sinclair. The goal attack did not disappoint with 13 from 15, as well as eight goal assists and eight feeds. Sisters, Kelsey Browne and Madi Robinson worked well in the midcourt, while England star, Geva Mentor had a performance fans have come to expect with four gains, three deflections and two intercepts. A special shout-out should go to Ash Brazill who swapped her football jumper for her netball dress but will revert back on Labour Day when she returns to the AFL Women’s competition. For the Fever, Courtney Bruce was her usual self in goal keeper, producing some eye-opening long-range passes including two goal assists, while Kaylia Stanton was a lone hand in attack with 25 goals from 34 attempts. The team was without last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jhaniele Fowler who will no doubt be a massive inclusion in the regular season.

New South Wales Swifts (47) defeated GIANTS Netball (33)

In the third game of the day, New South Wales Swifts had a massive second half to blow away GIANTS Netball and record a 14-goal win. After both sides were level at quarter time, the Swifts edged ahead by two goals at the main break. After that it was all the Swifts, scoring 24 goals to 12 in a one-sided affair to give fans a glimpse of what they are capable of in 2019. The Swifts finished with 11 gains to five, while Helen Housby (20 goals from 23 attempts), Sam Wallace (16 from 19) and Sophie Garbin (11 from 14) gelled well in a three player rotating attack. Natalie Haythornwaite was terrific in wing attack with a massive 15 goal assists and 18 feeds as the Swifts’ English contingent fired on the night. Paige Hadley was also impressive in centre, holding her own against the talented, Jamie-Lee Price before copping a blow to the head. The Australian midcourter had eight goal assists and 10 feeds for the GIANTS, while Jo Harten stood up in a side minus Caitlin Bassett, scoring 22 goals from 24 attempts with 91.7 per cent accuracy. She also shared the ball around with five goal assists, while Kiera Austin finished with five from eight and six goal assists.

Melbourne Vixens (53) defeated Queensland Firebirds (32)

The final performance of the night was arguably the most impressive as Melbourne Vixens completely dismantled the Queensland Firebirds in the second half on the way to a 53-32 victory. In a tournament that had reduced time with 10-minute quarters, the Vixens posted a score that would be solid for the full match as they slammed on 30 goals to 10 in a very one-sided second half. With 96 per cent accuracy to the Firebirds’ 68, the Vixens were ferocious throughout the contest. Caitlin Thwaites’ return to the Vixens line-up went as expected with the imposing goal shooter not missing a shot from her 17 attempts, while Tegan Philip fired home 18 goals from 19 attempts. Impressively, Ine-Mari Venter also slotted seamlessly into the attack with 18 from 19, and spent time at goal shooter while Thwaites moved to goal attack in a move that resulted in a positive change. In the midcourt, Kate Moloney (15 goal assists and 21 feeds), Liz Watson (16 goal assists and 20 feeds) did their thing, while Lara Dunkley also stepped up in her time on court with 13 goal assists and 18 feeds. For the Firebirds, Romelda Aiken had her chances but rued inaccuracy with 19 goals from 27 attempts, while Gretel Tippett had better luck with nine from 12. Macy Gardner was the most productive in midcourt for the Firebirds with seven goal assists and 13 feeds.