THE exciting return of Suncorp Super Netball over the weekend saw some phenomenal matchups across all four games and some highly talented players take the court. The condensed fixture and introduction of rolling subs this year has seen plenty of young names already jump on the court and have a huge impact despite their lack of experience. We take a look at each game and note which players shifted the gears and switched up the momentum.

Queensland Firebirds (48) defeated by Sunshine Coast Lightning (66)

In a match-up between a new-look young side and the highly experienced Lightning, there was plenty of talent out on the court. The Firebirds fielded a relatively young midcourt, with Tippah Dwan one of the major talking points out the front in goal attack. Finishing with 11 goals (three super shots) at 67 per cent on her first outing, the goal attack stood up in attack with her smooth movement and confidence, while Mahalia Cassidy did not skip a beat on her return from injury, going toe-to-toe with Laura Langman for much of the game. For the Lightning it was Steph Wood who stepped up to the plate, sinking 10 super shots to go with her four short range attempts and turning the tide of the game in the process. A huge last quarter was what saw the Firebirds’ demise, with Phumza Maweni racking up three gains in that quarter alone and limiting the Firebirds to just six goals to finish.

Adelaide Thunderbirds (62) defeated by West Coast Fever (74)

In a high scoring affair both the Thunderbirds and Fever blooded some youngsters, proving the amount of talent the two states having coming up through their pathways. While the Thunderbirds only won the one quarter, Lenize Potgieter was strong as ever at the post with Sam Gooden and Georgie Horjus having an impact off the bench, with Gooden racking up nine super shots and Horjus showcasing her speed on the drive. Maisie Nankivell was stellar through the midcourt with 12 assists and two intercepts though caught a lot of attention from the umpires. For the Fever, the real surprise packet was Alice Teague-Neeld with the goal attack stepping up to the plate and earning player of the match accolades for her effort out the front with four of her 10 goals super shots. Jhaniele Fowler showcased her long bomb ability with two super shots to contribute to her hefty 52-goal tally, while young gun Sunday Aryang provided a handy connection defensively with plenty of speed allowing her to collect two gains. 

GIANTS Netball (61) defeated by NSW Swifts (63)

The tightest match of the round saw the GIANTS come dastardly close to victory against the reigning premiers, with the Swifts holding on as the seconds counted down. Lauren Moore was the big difference in this one, with the 22-year-old winning player of the match for her non-stop running and ability to impact the contest with five intercepts to her name. Sam Wallace has not skipped a beat over the off-season sinking six super shots, while the consistent rotation between returning captain Maddy Proud and speedster Nat Haythornthwaite kept the GIANTS defenders guessing on the feed. For the GIANTS, Amy Parmenter was a workhorse with seven intercepts while Kiera Austin showcased her versatility rotating between wing and goal attack and youngster Sophie Dwyer took the court for just five minutes but sunk two super shots to close the margin.

Melbourne Vixens (63) defeated Collingwood Magpies (52)

With so many new players in the Magpies lineup this season it was just experience and trusted connections that got the Vixens over the line in a tight tussle. Madi and Kelsey Browne made phenomenal returns from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, with their ability to spot Emma Ryde at the post what kept the side in it for the majority of the match. Jodi-Ann Ward had a solid start in her Super Netball debut, topping the Magpies’ intercept tally with two and injecting plenty of physicality to the defensive circle and at the centre pass. The Vixens’ major switch was Kate Eddy’s rotation from wing defence into goal defence, which saw Jo Weston apply her height around the circle edge and ultimately changed the game in the final quarter as the Vixens were finally able to take some control.