IT was always set to be a huge clash between the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, and the two sides fought tooth and nail to ensure it would remain that way throughout an enticing contest, which saw the Swifts claim a 63-51 victory after leading at every change. Both sides had everything to play for with the GIANTS coming in off a heartbreaking one-goal loss on Monday night, while the Swifts claimed their first back-to-back win of the season.

It was a tight clash from the very first quarter, as the ladder-leading GIANTS hosted the Swifts but were shaky to start. But a 2-0 start by the Swifts was quickly gobbled up as the GIANTS worked their way into the match, with a combination of Jamie-Lee Price and Amy Parmenter making things difficult for the Swifts to find their way through the centre third. Transition down court proved tough for both sides as the defensive pressure stepped up, while Jo Harten and Sam Wallace provided key targets at the post for their respective sides. Maddie Hay’s burst of speed was pivotal at the centre for the GIANTS as Sophie Dwyer continued to showcase just what she is capable of, as the scores continued to top back and forth with neither side able to really take control of the contest. But it was the Swifts that took the lead on the final whistle for the quarter, leading by one at the first change. 

A huge second quarter rolled around, with the Swifts immediately taking control of the match as the GIANTS’ willingness to contest came back to bite them, causing penalties across the court. The return of Maddy Proud was doing the Swifts miracles as they appeared more settled than previous weeks, while Nat Haythornthwaite and Helen Housby worked their way into the match better, with the latter demanding the ball to take some of the attention off Wallace at the post and testing Sam Poolman‘s ability to hold down the goal shooter. Wallace’s ability to find free space in the circle was monumental, adding to the Swifts’ margin with ease, although at the other end Dwyer’s ability to shoot from range hurt the Swifts’ patient approach once the super shot period began, reducing the scoreline bit by bit. A four-goal margin 36-32 the way of the Swifts told the tale of the first half as the main break arrived, handing the GIANTS their first first half loss for the season. 

A huge second half opened up, with Tayla Fraser injected into wing attack for the Swifts and once against appearing to have an immediate impact out the front. Comparatively, the change was made in the goal circle for the GIANTS as Dwyer and Harten swapped positions, although hesitance to shoot over the long hands of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner hurt the side as the GIANTS made another defensive change, rotating Tilly McDonnell into goal keeper with the youngster teaming well with April Brandley from the get-go to turn the tides marginally. Physicality from Price proved both influential and frustrating as the centre pulled off some magnificent saves defensively – including a huge intercept on circle edge – before giving away some easy penalties down the court, as the Swifts headed into the final quarter with an eight-goal margin. 

The final term was always set to be a big one, as the two sides went goal-for-goal early showing a heap of patience entering the goal circle, before an untimely offside from Proud opened up a chance for GIANTS to pile on three straight to reduce the margin to six goals. Accuracy from the Swifts shone through as Wallace and Housby continued at 100 per cent, although Harten’s work rate picked up at the other end to ensure the GIANTS remained in the contest, with the Swifts defence struggling to fire under the offensive pressure. A Swifts timeout for a cramping Proud proved handy for the Swifts as the change was made out the front as Sophie Garbin entered the fray in goal attack, with Housby lacking the output to post despite finding plenty of connection with Wallace. A super shot from Harten right on the buzzer saw the GIANTS fire right back, as Kristiana Manu’a continued to niggle at Fraser who was burning her wing defence for speed. Two late Klau screamers ensured the scoreline kept ticking away for the Swifts, and while a McDonnell intercept at the other end did plenty for the side’s confidence, it was too little, too late as the Swifts ran away with a 63-51 victory. 

It was a 100 per cent ball-game from the Swifts, with player of the match Wallace piling on 58 goals as Housby (five goals) served 19 assists on a silver platter, allowing Proud (18 assists, two intercepts) to focus on her defensive game. Klau’s two intercepts did not come until the final quarter, however her work rate was immense to finish with five gains to go with Turner’s four. For the GIANTS, it was another shared effort from Harten (21 goals from 24 attempts and two of five super shots) and Dwyer (17 straight and four from nine) although inaccuracy proved the kicker for the side as they forced long bombs, combining for 80 per cent. Price (20 assists, four intercepts) was immense through the midcourt, while Hay (one intercept, 15 assists, five general play turnovers) had her moments and the rotation of Brandley, McDonnell, Poolman and Manu’a cost the side consistency down back.

GIANTS NETBALL 17 | 15 | 9 | 10 (51)
NSW SWIFTS 18 | 18 | 13 | 14 (63)

STARTING SEVEN:

GIANTS

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddy Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Sam Poolman

Swifts

GS: Sam Wallace
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Nat Haythornthwaite
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Paige Hadley
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau

Picture credit: Suncorp Super Netball