AS the 2023 Australian Netball Championships moves to the pointy end of the competition, the battle for finals places is getting tighter and tighter.

Collingwood (65) defeated Capital Darters (52)

Collingwood bounced back from the previous day’s loss with a win over the Capital Darters.

A bad third quarter was what ultimately put the nail in the coffin for the Darters, but Collingwood had already had a strong first half to set up the win.

Brooke Allan (10 deflections, five gains, two intercepts) and Zali Anderson (26 feeds, 17 assists, one gain) both impressed for the Magpies, as did Jessica Milne (six gains, five deflections, two intercepts, two rebounds) again for the Darters.

Firebirds Futures (61) defeated Swifts Academy (54)

The Firebirds Futures picked up their second win of the tournament to hand the Swifts their first loss of the tournament with a tight win over the New South Welshwomen.

The quarter by quarter scores for closer as the game progressed, but ultimately the Swifts could not peg any of the margin back and were unable to take the win.

Leesa Mi Mi (35 feeds, 22 assists) and Jessica Laga’aia (27 feeds, 20 assists) starred for the Firebirds, as did Teigan O’Shannassy (nine deflections, seven gains, three intercepts) and Jessica Conlan (27 feeds, 20 assists) for the Swifts.

GIANTS Academy (55) defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts (45)

The GIANTS picked up their second win of the tournament with a handy win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts.

Despite winning the first term, the middle two quarters is what really let the Lightning Bolts down, as the GIANTS were able to come back, apply the pressure and ultimately take the win.

Amy Sligar (30 feeds, 14 assists, four gains, four intercepts) absolutely shone for the GIANTS alongside the likes of Eliza Burton (36 feeds, 21 assists, four deflections, two gains). Meanwhile Ash Ervin (six gains, four rebounds, three deflections, two intercepts) again shone for the Lightning Bolts, as did the other Sligar sister Natalie (22 feeds, 17 assists).

Tasmania Wild (63) defeated Territroy Storm (25)

Tasmania picked up its first win of the tournament with a huge win over the Territory Storm.

The Storm were never in the match as the Wild piled on the pressure early to restrict their opponents to single figure scores per quarter in each of the four quarters.

It was the defenders who shone for Tasmania, including the likes of Hannah Lenthall (six gains, six deflections, two intercepts) and Alexandra Vinen (four gains, three deflections, two intercepts, two rebounds). Meanwhile Jasmyn Hewett (five deflections, four gains, two intercepts) had another great game for the Storm despite the toughness of the match.