IN each round of Suncorp Super Netball we will identify key match-ups, provide an analysis of players and compare the two styles. The first round of finals sees plenty of tantalising match-ups across both the major and minor semi-final as the sides look to progress to the next stage and keep their premiership hopes alive.

MELBOURNE VIXENS v. SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
Kate Eddy (WD) v. Laura Scherian (WA)

With both sides having played in the final round of the home and away season it will be their chance to battle it out once more and learn from their previous performance. Newcomer to the Melbourne Vixens in 2020, Kate Eddy has been the pick of the bunch when it comes to off-season recruits and will be eager to assert herself against speedster Laura Scherian.

When it comes to hands over pressure, Eddy is the best in the business, using her long wingspan to full advantage to block her opponents’ vision. The wing defence has been a key cog in the Vixens defence in 2020 covering the court with great ease and proving to be a menace in the defensive third with her ball tracking ability. Eddy is never out of the contest, forcing tips and deflections while her ability to keep her opponent away from circle edge is vital as it helps to slow down transition. Working in tandem with Jo Weston, Emily Mannix and Kate Moloney out in centre, Eddy has the freedom to go out hunting but also knows when to double down on her defender and do the nitty gritty things, such as block their drives.

Although Scherian has been down on her dominant form of 2019, the pocket rocket must not be underestimated. She is a real barometer for the Lightning attackers as she alleviates the pressure on likes of Steph Wood out the front to bring the ball down. Scherian is lightning quick, darting around the court and does some of her best work from deep inside the pocket to spot up Wood, Cara Koenen or Peace Proscovia. Her 1-2 punch with Laura Langman is crucial to Sunshine Coast’s dominance as the duo can bring the ball down with great speed and intent to catch the Vixens off-guard. Scherian has an innate ability to tiptoe around circle edge while her signature move to run outside the court along the goal-line enables her to open up the court instantly.

Although Eddy only played half a game in Round 14 it is fair to say she got the upper hand over Scherian given her added centimetres nullified the influence of the smaller wing attack. Eddy may not boast the speed Scherian does, but instead she relies upon her physicality and nagging style to quell her influence and if she can inflict that same type of pressure on Scherian from the opening minutes of the game it will set the tone for the Vixens. On the flip side, if Scherian puts on the afterburners and nips around the court, it could cause headaches for the Melbourne side, as she can be pretty damaging with her fancy footwork and quick hands.

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WEST COAST FEVER v. NSW SWIFTS
Courtney Bruce (GD) v. Sam Wallace (GS)

Expect a hotly contested battle under the post as the Fever and Swifts look to keep their finals aspirations alive in their do-or-die clash. West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce has been in fine form while Trinidad and Tobago product Sam Wallace has been as consistent as they come for the Swifts in the goal circle.

If there is a ball to be won, Bruce is never far away. The goal keeper is tenacious and a real livewire in defence for the Fever, often setting the tone for her teammates and fellow defenders. Bruce is incredibly strong in the air with her leap enabling her to consistently get hands to ball and cause disruption for opposition sides. She is able to contest from any position on the court whether she is in front or behind her opponent thanks to her quick thinking and adaptability. Bruce is a menace when it comes to cross-court balls, constantly on the prowl and putting fear not only into the shooters, but so too the feeders. She combines well with Stacey Francis to create a wall down back while her ability to adapt to the injection of Olivia Lewis and Sunday Aryang is a testament to her netball IQ and skillset to continue to have an impact.

For the Swifts, Wallace has been the mainstay in at goal shooter, often providing that calming element to a frequently changing front line. Wallace has added to her game in 2020 with her long range shooting becoming more apparent, something she might have to bring out against the Fever to get an edge. Equally as damaging under the post, Wallace can add to the scoreboard in a blink of an eye credit to her speed and accuracy. She is not kept down for long, able to work her way back into the contest and while she is not a fan of the argy bargy nature, has proven that she has the mindset to overcome it. Her composure and strength on the take to not be worried out of the contest and long split enables Wallace to edge closer to the post and dominate. The connection she has with the likes of Helen Housby out the front and midcourters in Maddy Proud, Paige Hadley and Natalie Haythornthwaite in particular gives her a pep in her step, able to confidently command the ball and receive it.

If Bruce can get in the head of Wallace and push her away from the post it will go a long way in getting the Fever over the line as the Swifts goal shooter will be forced to take shots out of her comfort zone. However if Wallace is able to get on top early, ride the wave of Bruce’s physicality and earn a couple of contact penalties her way then it is the Swifts’ for the taking.