THE Magpies claimed an emphatic win against ladder leaders NSW Swifts in Tasmania to keep their finals aspirations alive (64-56). Despite the impressive win, the Magpies’ victory was soured by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to speedster and playmaker Kelsey Browne midway through the second term.

Collingwood came out with a real spring in their step in the first quarter led by goal defence, April Brandley. She showed great intent from the first whistle contesting every single ball that came her way and getting hands to ball with two gains, one intercept and three deflections for the first term. The defensive pressure was up right across the court with Geva Mentor showcasing her class in the circle credit to her three-foot marking and cleanliness to build pressure on Sam Wallace and Sophie Garbin. Wallace was relatively unfazed by the physicality displaying her composed nature to slot nine goals straight while Garbin faded in and out of the game. The Magpies were relentless across the court pushing the Swifts wide and forcing uncharacteristic turnovers notching up seven compared to their five. NSW struggled to build momentum with their connections failing to fire allowing the Magpies to claim the first bonus point of the game with a 17-13 first term.

With the ball struggling to penetrate the Collingwood defensive end the Swifts made a host of changes across the court. Natalie Haythornthwaite moved from wing attack into goal attack and had an immediate impact, proving she was not afraid to turn and shoot. She was a real play maker in the attacking third and goal circle for the Swifts sighting Wallace on the lead while notching up seven goals. Paige Hadley switched from centre into wing attack while youngster Tayla Fraser stepped up into the centre. The Swifts took a while to adjust to the changes in the attacking third while Briony Akle tinkered with the defensive structure moving Silver Fern Katrina Rore into goal defence and bringing Sophie Halpin onto wing defence. The Magpies seemed relatively settled given the changes sticking to their structures and working through the Swifts bursts of energy. Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst put on a clinic in the goal circle with both shooters sitting at 100 per cent for the term. With the Magpies front end humming injury struck with Browne landing awkwardly sending shockwaves throughout the stadium. The dynamic wing attack left the court in the arms of trainers bringing Kimiora Poi into the game for the Pies.

The Magpies built on their four-goal lead after half-time with Ash Brazill lifting her load in attack. The dynamic and athletic centre dominated through the midcourt with her timely drives, clever feeds into the circle and vision to pierce through the defence with nine goal assists for the term. Nelson continued her dominance under the post with 16 goals from 17 attempts while Medhurst did a wealth of work out the front flinging the ball around the attacking third and using the angles to open Nelson up under the post. Sarah Klau struggled to have her usual impact in the defensive end for the Swifts with the ball sailing over the head of her time and time again credit to the placement from Brazill and Medhurst. Poi did not seem out of place connecting with the Collingwood attack end while Kim Ravaillion did the little things well, re-offering across the court. Unhappy with their output, the Swifts made more changes with Elle Bennetts donning the wing attack bib in the dying minutes of the third quarter while Maddy Turner returned to the court in goal defence but it was to no avail with Collingwood sticking strong and claiming their second bonus point of the game.

Still struggling to find their rhythm across the court the Swifts reverted to their starting seven before switching Rore into goal keeper and forcing Klau to the bench. Both Nelson and Medhurst were simply unstoppable in the goal circle with neither missing a shot in the final term. Nelson finished with 52 goals from 54 attempts at 96 per cent credit to her strength on the take and composure under the post. Both Mentor and Brandley went from strength to strength throughout the game with the English international amassing two gains, five deflections and one pickup while Brandley notched up two deflections and two pickups. Haythornthwaite lifted her load in attack feeding into Garbin and Wallace (39/41) with ease but the Magpies did not let up. The Magpies showed great intensity throughout the match pushing hard but on the other hand the Swifts failed to play their usual brand of netball frazzled with ball in hand and undisciplined.

STARTING LINE-UP:

Collingwood Magpies:

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

NSW Swifts:

GS | Sam Wallace
GA | Sophie Garbin
WA | Natalie Haythornthwaite
C | Paige Hadley
WD | Katrina Rore
GD | Maddy Turner
GK | Sarah Klau