REIGNING premiers NSW Swifts have racked up their first Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) win of 2022, defeating the winless Collingwood Magpies by 11 goals. The Round 3 result meant the Swifts finally got on the board this year after back-to-back losses – largely due to injuries and COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols – whilst the Magpies slumped to 0-3. The match marked English Roses star Helen Housby‘s 100th national league appearance, as well as the first time ex-Swift Sophie Garbin donned the black and white against her former side.

The Magpies started strongly with a 19-17 first term off the back of Shimona Nelson shooting 18 goals at 100 per cent efficiency, whilst Garbin – who started in goal attack, was subbed out for Gabrielle Sinclair. Kelsey Browne had a hand in 10 goal assists from 13 feeds, whilst Geva Mentor (two intercepts, two deflections) was on top in her battle with Housby (13 goals from 14 attempts), whilst Maddy Proud had 11 goal assists from 14 feeds.

After the slow start, Swifts coach Briony Akle shuffled the magnets with Kelly Singleton subbed out for Sophie Fawns, and Teigan O’Shannassy on for Allie Smith. The Magpies maintained the status quo, but Jacqui Newton eventually replaced Jodi-Ann Ward, and Garbin came on for Sinclair, before Sinclair replaced Nelson. The changes worked in the Swifts favour, as they dominated the second term, 20-11. Fawns and Housby both scored nine goals, as Proud had eight goal assists and Paige Hadley had five. The Collingwood attack struggled, which lead to the change up.

That momentum continued into the third quarters as Housby shot the opening three goals of the term to provide her side with a 10-goal buffer. At the 10-minute mark, Tayla Fraser gave Hadley a rest, whilst the Magpies swapped Garbin into goal shooter – much to the relief of the fans – and Sinclair into goal attack. Molly Jovic and Ash Brazill also rotated in midcourt, with Newton coming on for Mentor a few minutes into the quarter. Housby finished the term with 15 goals from 16 attempts, whilst Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau shone in defence against Garbin and Sinclair, though the Magpies pair did shoot at 100 per cent efficiency.

Maggie Lind got her chance in the fourth term coming on, with Brazill back at wing defence and Browne into the centre wth Jovic rested, whilst Hadley returned to the court in the final few minutes, replacing Proud. Despite the Magpies coming back and winning the quarter (17-15), it would not be enough, going down 75-64. Fawns and Garbin both shot nine goals rom 10 attempts for their respective sides, with Proud picking up nine goal assists, whilst Lind had a team-high five for the term in wing attack.

The Swifts had an even spread across the board with Housby shooting 43 goals from 48 attempts, whilst Fawns managed 24 from 27. In defence, Klau had two intercepts and five deflections, teaming up well with Turner (four intercepts, four deflections). Proud picked up a match-high 37 goal assists from 54 feeds, being the dominant midcourt players.

For the Magpies, Nelson shot 26 goals at 100 per cent in the first half, whilst Garbin finished with 20 goals from 21 attempts, most of which came after the main break. Sinclair (10 from 13 and 10 goal assists) supported the shooters, with Browne (28 goal assists) and Mentor (three intercepts, four deflections) also impressive. Brazill and Newton tried hard against a famed Swifts attack.

Both sides do not have to wait long for their next match with the Magpies hosting the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Swifts travelling to Adelaide to take on the Thunderbirds; both games are on Wednesday.

NSW SWIFTS 17 | 20 | 23 | 15 (75)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 19 | 11 | 17 | 17 (64)

STARTING SEVENS:

NSW Swifts:

GS: Helen Housby
GA: Kelly Singleton
WA: Maddy Proud
C: Paige Hadley
WD: Allie Smith
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau

Collingwood Magpies:

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Sophie Garin
WA: Kelsey Browne
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Ash Brazzill
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor