THE regular season of Super Netball has wrapped up, with joy for those in pink, but not for those in orange.

Queensland Firebirds (52) defeated by Melbourne Vixens (62)

Kim Ravaillion’s last national league game saw the Vixens get the upper hand by 10 goals in front of a hefty purple crowd.

The Vixens actually had four more turnovers than the Firebirds, but shooting accuracy was a huge problem for the Firebirds. They missed 20 goals for the game compared to the visitor’s six, half being super shot attempts.

Speaking of super shots, the Vixens relied on their one-goal game to keep the scoreboard ticking over winning the first three quarters and drawing the fourth.

Kiera Austin (24 goals, 16 centre pass receives, 15 goal assists and two rebounds) was a main contributor to the side’s success getting plenty of say in the attacking and middle third. Rudi Ellis (nine gains, six deflections, three rebounds and two intercepts) was also a pain for the Firebirds shooters. 

Lara Dunkley (33 feeds and 16 goal assists) and Macy Gardner (22 feeds, 12 goal assists, three gains and two intercepts) tried their hardest to have the best vision into the circle but the Vixens defence was just too good and secured a top two position.

West Coast Fever (76) defeated Melbourne Mavericks (57)

A 19-goal win to the Fever officially knocked the Mavericks out of finals contention. The Mavericks put up a fight in the first half trailing by just one at the main break, but they fell away in the second half to ultimately finish in fifth position on the ladder in their inaugural season.

There was not a moment when the Fever dropped the ball as they led the whole game. They were dominant on rebounds as well, having 10 compared to the Mavericks zero. The Fever, in familiar fashion, only missed five goals whereas the Mavericks had the ball not go through the ring 14 times.

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (69 goals and four rebounds) was as clinical as ever, helping the Fever score from 86 of their centre passes. She was also converting from their gains, which the Fever had 11.

Amy Parmenter (two gains, five deflections and one intercept) tried her best to mount on the pressure across the court to turn over some ball for the Mavericks. Parmenter and Kim Jenner (two gains, three deflections and two intercepts) got plenty of hand to ball but thee visitors looked defeated already.

Tayla Fraser (13 feeds and seven goal assists) was able to get the space she wanted in the goal third in the match, but the shooters were not able to capitalise on their opportunities and let the Fever defence run all over them with all three circle defenders having good outings.

GIANTS Netball (71) defeated by NSW Swifts (72)

The second NSW derby of the season was the battle for the wooden spoon and the Swifts avoided that honour. The GIANTS were handed their first wooden spoon in Super Netball history, whereas the Swifts moved up to sixth on percentage.

The GIANTS led at every change until the fourth quarter where the Swifts won the game thanks to a 21 goals to 16 final term. The team in the charcoal were the significantly cleaner side in turnovers (9 to 12) and penalties (39 to 65).

Maddie Hay (48 feeds, 18 goal assists, two intercepts) and Jamie-Lee Price (48 feeds and 24 goal assists) balanced the midcourt well, bringing their defensive prowess over the whole court. They also were not afraid to look long into the circle and work the ball into the shooters, who were extremely accurate outside of the super shot zone.

Matilda McDonell (five gains, three rebounds, three deflections and two intercepts) has closed her season in fine form ready to challenge some of the toughest and most physical shooters, winning a lot of the time. Uneeq Palavi (45 goals and two rebounds) had a fantastic outing herself while shooting the winning goal after leading by six with two minutes to go.

The formidable connection between Helen Housby (25 goals, 22 feeds and 18 goal assists), Paige Hadley (36 feeds, 25 goal assists, 24 centre pass receives and 22 second phase receives) and Maddy Proud (25 feeds and 17 goal assists) was outstanding with each knowing each others’ game inside and out. Their vision into Palavi was clinical and difficult to stop even when it looked like the GIANTS were on top.

Adelaide Thunderbirds (64) defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning (62)

Adelaide Thunderbirds earned the 2024 minor premiership after overcoming a late surge by the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Four super shots by Steph Fretwell (38 goals, 21 centre pass receives and 10 goal assists) got the Lightning back in the contest, but a four-goal run by the Thunderbirds late in the game closed all possibilities of letting the minor premiership slip away.

A six-goal lead to the home side by half-time gave the pink army confidence they would finish the regular season on a high with a second chance and the possibility of going back-to-back in front of a home crowd.

It began to unravel for the Lightning approaching the main break when Cara Koenen (24 goals) was subbed off with an elbow injury after getting caught in a contest. The Lightning then lost all their momentum and the Thunderbirds took full advantage of their vulnerability.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (eight gains, six deflections, four rebounds and one intercept) was winning ball inside and outside the circle, making no space safe for the Lightning to place the ball. The Lightning had zero rebounds to their name, whereas the Thunderbirds had 10. They also looked straight to the post having 26 less feeds than the Lightning, who were rattled by the Thunderbirds defence and worked the ball into the super shot zone by resetting the play.

Penalties were initially a problem for the home side, quickly getting the attention of the whistle. This released the pressure they were building up and allowed the Lightning to score with relative ease.

Super Netball Reserves

GIANTS (43) defeated by Swifts (59)