DESPITE sitting at opposite ends of the table, the second game of Round 5 lived up to the hype with NSW Swifts and Queensland Firebirds going toe-to-toe throughout. In the end it was the experience and ability of the Swifts to close out games that got them over the line to secure their fourth win and leave the Firebirds winless (64-57).

Tippah Dwan asserted herself early for the Firebirds as the goal attack used her signature speed to pop out in the circle and slot the first goal of the game. An early turnover from Queensland gifted the Swifts a chance to push forward but Kim Jenner clapped back with a deflection of her own to regain possession for her side and send them into attack once more. A miscommunication from the Swifts frontend prompted the Firebirds to capitalise and score to create a two goal lead. They steadily increased the lead to three goals before a couple of scrappy minutes from both sides led to a timeout from the Swifts, in hope to regain some form of composure on the match.

The Swifts came out of the break more composed both in attack and defence, finding their targets with ease and hitting the scoreboard. But Romelda Aiken worked her way into the game for the Firebirds, using her height and athleticism to full advantage despite the best efforts of Sarah Klau to contest each and every pass. It was goal for goal for majority of the term before the Swifts started to find their rhythm and punish the Firebirds to claim the lead. however, the influence of Tara Hinchliffe was undeniable with the goal keeper having a blinder, contesting everything that came her way, frustrating Sam Wallace on the take. The evenness continued with neither side able to pull away from each other despite patches of strong play. Dwan nailed the first super shot of the game but moments later Helen Housby stepped up to the plate with consecutive two point shots to steal the lead. The momentum ebbed and flowed throughout the game as the combined defensive effort of Jenner and Hinchliffe stood tall with the two dragging in rebounds to go into the break level.

The Firebirds got an early win off the hands of a missed shot from Wallace but an error from Mahalia Cassidy gave the Swifts their chance to capitalise and they did not look back. Although the defensive pressure from the Firebirds was impressive with Hinchliffe and Jenner causing havoc on the shot and making the goalers work for absolutely everything the Swifts started to swing momentum their way and push out to a three goal lead. Sophie Craig imposed herself around circle edge collecting a couple of tips and nullifying the influence of Jemma Mi Mi as the Firebirds attack end started to break down, unable to penetrate the Swifts defence and throwing ball away.

The reigning premiers dictated majority of the term extending the lead to seven goals with their silky ball movement slicing through the Firebirds. Housby was finding a wealth of space in the goal circle and displayed her impressive timing to pop out along the baseline. With five minutes left to play a timeout was called prompting a couple of changes in the Firebirds camp as Macy Gardner entered the game in at centre and Rudi Ellis pulled on the goal keeper bib. Gardner had an immediate impact with her speed, linking up with Dwan for the goal attack to sink another super shot and cut the margin to five goals. But the Swifts were content to play their normal brand of netball and stick with the one point shot to hold onto a solid lead.

Firebirds came out with a real purpose and renewed sense of intensity in the second half scoring the first two goals of the quarter. But it did not stop there as the Queensland based side went on a tear to score five goals to one in the opening couple of minutes thanks to some strong defensive plays. Sophie Garbin got the start in goal shooter for the Swifts but struggled to have her usual impact under the post with her movement stifled as Hinchliffe put on a show in defence to stop Garbin and the Swifts in their tracks as they cut the margin to one goal thanks to increased defensive pressure. The Firebirds started to turn the game, syncing up well in attack with Gardner and Lara Dunkley injecting speed and precision.

However the Swifts were not about to lie down withstanding the pressure to string together a couple of goals to reclaim some composure. Dunkley took a huge intercept on the transverse line to really spark her side back into attack while their quick ball speed kept the Swifts defenders guessing. Looking for some drive and energy through the midcourt, Tayla Fraser entered the equation with the centre providing fresh legs and speed to cut through the Firebirds and deliver ball into Housby and Wallace. But it was the final two minutes of the quarter that the Swifts really flexed their muscles as Roses star, Housby led the charge with three super shots to steal the lead and put an end to the Firebirds quarter of dominance.

Up by six goals, the Swifts showcased their experience in the final term with Maddy Proud leading the troops in wing attack and Paige Hadley plying her trade in wing defence to shut down Dunkley. An usual switch of Craig into goal defence also seemed to work wonders, nullifying Dwan on the drive as the Swifts kicked it up a gear despite the best efforts of their opposition. Gardner went from strength to strength throughout the game and while a cameo from Ine-Mari Venter in the dying minutes of the game provided some scoreboard release it was not enough as the Swifts worked their way back onto the winners list.

In her 50th national game, the Swifts goal shooter led the charge under the post with 41 goals while Housby was influential out the front amassing 13 goal assists and 17 goals of her own to trouble the scoreboard. Aiken was once again the main scoring source for the Firebirds nailing 37 goals from 45 attempts as Dwan continued her merry way out in goal attack with her cleverly placed feeds and four super shots from six attempts to round out a strong performance. After dominating last round, Jenner proved it was not a one off racking up seven deflections and two intercepts meanwhile Klau answered the call for the Swifts with a couple of intercepts and six deflections of her own.

>>> FIREBIRDS TEAM PAGE

>>> SWIFTS TEAM PAGE

>>> FULL GAME STATS

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Queensland Firebirds 16 | 10 | 17 | 14 (57)
NSW Swifts 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 (64)

STARTING SEVEN: 

Queensland Firebirds:

GS: Romelda Aiken
GA: Tippah Dwan
WA: Jemma Mi Mi
C: Mahalia Cassidy
WD: Gabi Simpson
GD: Kim Jenner
GK: Tara Hinchliffe

NSW Swifts:

GS: Sam Wallace
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Maddy Proud
C: Paige Hadley
WD: Sophie Craig
GD: Lauren Moore
GK: Sarah Klau