IN each round we will identify one key match-up, provide an in-depth analysis of both players and compare the two styles. The preliminary final sees two international stars in wing attack and wing defence face off for their respective sides.

NSW SWIFTS v. MELBOURNE VIXENS

Nat Haythornthwaite (WA) v. Renae Ingles (WD)

There is plenty on the line for both sides in this contest, and given the international experience of these players expect a heated battle between the two. In what could be her last game, Ingles will want to go out with a bang while Haythornthwaite will be hoping to recapture her dominance.

Haythornthwaite is no stranger to the big stage given her experience and netball understanding and she will want to bring every inch of that knowledge into her match-up against Ingles. Though she is not the quickest player, what she lacks in speed she makes up for in ball placement and work ethic on circle edge. Her vision into the circle is crucial for the Swifts who relish her varied passes and unpredictable nature. The wing attack plays a more traditional role, working hard on the circle edge to claim prime position and feed into Helen Housby, Sophie Garbin and Sam Wallace. She opens up space with her ability to swing the ball across the court accurately while her connection with Paige Hadley ensures that the two do not run on top of each other. Her ability to constantly re-offer on the circle edge and fake passes causes havoc in the attacking third.

The Melbourne Vixens retiree oozes plenty of class with ball in hand. Renowned for her defensive work, her ability to transition into attack is equally as impressive, bringing the ball down continuously. Her workload is second to none allowing both Emily Mannix and Jo Weston to go out hunting credit to her defensive pressure, netball understanding and ability to cover multiple opponents. Ingles has an innate ability to pick up timely deflections and apply pressure around the circle edge to limit her opposition’s vision into the circle, while her off the body work to cut off the wing attack’s drive is also a key feature of her game. Her strong passes and clever positioning at the transverse line could pose a threat for the Swifts, credit to her intent to constantly re-offer and provide a release to help the attacking end reset.

Both players know what it is like to play in a final and what is required to win, making for a hot contest. If Ingles can stop Haythornthwaite’s second phase work and limit her work at the centre pass she will deny the Swifts access into the circle, given she is a real playmaker. But if the wing attack comes out with a strong intent and uses her dynamic movement and ball placement to full advantage she will be able to nullify Ingles’ presence on the court.