ROUND 2 of Suncorp Super Netball is up this weekend, with a number of big matches set to make a dint on the competition. This week will see the grand final rematch between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning, with both sides coming into this matchup after Round 1 losses.

Queensland Firebirds v. Collingwood Magpies

The Queensland Firebirds will have competed against back to back Victorian sides come the end of Round 2 as they face Collingwood Magpies on Saturday afternoon. The Firebirds had a stellar start to the season with a dominant first 15 minutes against the Vixens in Round 1 seemingly set the side up for a win, however couldn’t hold onto their strong lead against the classy ball movement of the Melbourne side. Collingwood come into this match with a confidence boost, having beat the reigning premiers, Lightning by 14 points last round, so are sure to come out firing again this week. The Firebirds will need to sort out their defensive issues this round, with the likes of Nat Medhurst and Shimona Nelson putting on a show last week in goals with their connection coasting through Lightning’s strong defensive unit. The Firebirds struggled defensively last round as youngsters, Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe put in the hard yards against the class and experience of the Vixens’ attack line, however will need to clean up their act this round to ensure the match doesn’t get away from them once more. Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett will need to be firing on all cylinders against the likes of Geva Mentor in goal keeper, who showcased her class with no obstruction penalties last round, while April Brandley equally put on a show to start out the season. Gabi Simpson will need to put on a similar performance to her Round 1 efforts to reduce the impact and speed of Kelsey Browne around the goal circle, while Caitlyn Nevins can’t afford to fade out this round under pressure from the likes of Ash Brazill and Kim Ravaillion through the centre of the court.

West Coast Fever v. Sunshine Coast Lightning

The grand final rematch is up this week and with both sides hungry for a win after a disappointing Round 1, it’s sure to be a big game. The big question mark hovering over the Fever this week is the match fitness of two of their pillars, goal keeper and captain, Courtney Bruce and dominant goal shooter, Jhaniele Fowler. Bruce went down early last round against the Thunderbirds after a nasty landing on her right arm but came back on for spurts during the match, while a rolled ankle saw Fowler leave the court midway through the final term. For the Fever to get a win this week the likes of Kaylia Stanton and Alice Teague-Neeld will have to be switched on and not be tentative to put up a shot, with the pair only shooting nine goals between them last round and relying on Fowler to carry the brunt of the shots. Fever without Fowler could spell trouble for the side, with the likes of Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni a solid defensive unit for the Sunshine Coast. Both players took the game on last round, taking chances and putting in the hard yards to get the job done despite going down by 14 goals to the Magpies, so will want to put on an even greater performance this week. Moving down court, the centre court battle could go either way with the defensive strength of Lightning’s Laura Langman and Fever’s Jess Anstiss, while Lightning’s goal circle seemed to be an issue last round, with the likes of Cara Koenen and Peace Proscovia sharing the load in at goal shooter while Steph Wood put in the hard yards in goal attack. Despite a good effort from Stacey Francis and Shannon Eagland last week, if Bruce misses this match the Lightning may be able to control the ball and get the upper hand.

NSW Swifts v. Adelaide Thunderbirds

Both the Swifts and Thunderbirds come into this matchup with an unprecedented win under their belts to start the season, meaning this match could well and truly go either way. Thunderbirds goal keeper, Shamera Sterling was outstanding in her first official SSN match against the dominant force of fellow Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler, so will want to replicate her dominant start to the season against Swifts shooter, Sam Wallace who held strong under the post at 94 per cent accuracy to start the season. Further up through the midcourt will be an intriguing matchup between England Roses teammates, Helen Housby and Layla Guscoth. Thunderbirds’ Sasha Glasgow was another shooter who impressed in Round 1, showcasing her rebounding ability and silky footwork to take control of the goal ring against a tough defensive Fever outfit. Both Glasgow and long bomb shooter, Maria Folau will want to take their accuracy up a notch after sitting at a combined 78 per cent accuracy last week. Defensively, the Swifts were solid in the opening round, with the likes of Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau seemingly lifting their game since last season with seven intercepts and 11 gains between them, so it’s sure to be an interesting battle in the goal circle for both sides. Throughout the midcourt Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud made the season break seem like no time at all, showcasing their connection and up to their old tips and tricks as they dominated against the GIANTS, forcing errors across the court. Chelsea Pitman held strong in wing attack last round, so will need to put her experience on the line once again this round to break through the Swifts’ defensive pressure through the midcourt. The Swifts will fortunately have young defender, Kate Eddy back in the side this week while Nat Haythornthwaite will be sitting out for another few weeks, so the Swifts are certainly not a side to be cast aside this round despite the strength of the Thunderbirds.

Melbourne Vixens v. GIANTS Netball

The Vixens showed the competition they’re here to compete in 2019 last round after a slow start against the Firebirds saw the side snatch back momentum and the lead to start fresh at half time. The composure the Vixens showed in Round 1 will come in handy against the GIANTS who have strong players scattered across the court, namely Kim Green in wing attack with her ability to feed into the circle, creating space wherever she is on court. For the Vixens, Liz Watson is just as much a strength as Green so is sure to switch on her game and take charge of attack credit to her speed off the transverse line and ability to land on the circle edge. With Vixens captain, Kate Moloney and young gun Jamie-Lee Price likely to take the court against the other at some point in the match, the midcourt battle between these teams will be one to watch, while the side that manages to take control will likely come out on top this week. Both sides have accurate and efficient goalers on their side, so it will again be a tight match between the two sides as to who comes out on top. Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip put on a show in the goal circle in Round 1, both only missing the one shot for the match, so will want to put on another good performance this week. Last round Sam Poolman and Kristiana Manu’a didn’t seem to have the defensive connection the GIANTS have been known for in past seasons, so will want to tighten up against the agile and silky movement of the Vixens through attack. At the other end of the court, the likes of Emily Mannix and Jo Weston will need to put on a strong performance against the height in the GIANTS circle, with both Jo Harten and Caitlin Bassett likely to start in goals. Kiera Austin put in a strong effort during her limited Round 1 court time, while Bassett’s strength at the post will be the key thing to watch for the Vixens, after Bassett had issues with inaccuracy last week following injury in the Northern Quad Series in January.

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