WHAT many predicted to be the match of the opening round of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) action did not fail to grab attention on Sunday afternoon, as the NSW Swifts claimed a thrilling three goal victory over the Queensland Firebirds in overtime. With the scores locked on 64-apiece at the final siren credit to a clutch Helen Housby goal to even the ledger with a second on the clock, the Swifts used all their momentum to put on five goals to two in extra time to seal the 69-66 victory.

It was a goal for goal start from the two sides, as they fought to gain the early ascendancy and settle their combinations. Gabi Simpson was a monster early around circle edge but the Swifts remained composed in transition, opening up space well with both Housby and Sam Wallace firing. It was the Swifts’ simple but effective play that allowed the side to capitalise, and while the Firebirds were bolstered by the return of Gretel Bueta and Kim Ravaillion, the flair was not quite there early as they succumbed to an 18-13 start.

But whilst the Swifts pulled away early in the second to lead by as many as eight goals, footwork calls were made in their frontend and proved critical for the Firebirds, arresting momentum back as the switch was made with a new-look moving circle as Romelda Aiken headed to the bench for Tippah Dwan, who had already put up a super shot in the first and looked to continue that form alongside Bueta. A five goal halftime margin was testament to a momentum swing in the latter stages of the quarter, with the Firebirds trailing but rallying with a couple of later super shots on the board to ensure the Swifts did not run away with a lead.

The third quarter was all purple, as the Firebirds evened up the ledger for the first time since early in the match, before a couple more saw the Swifts scrambling for something to light a spark. The change was made out the front with Sophie Garbin rotated into goal attack, whilst Dwan continued to wreak havoc for the Firebirds and provided an excellent impact option. The Swifts’ patience with ball in hand saw them steal back the lead though, with the Garbin change proving crucial even as the super shot period began. With errors creeping in from both sides, it was intercepts aplenty across the respective back lines as Tara Hinchliffe headed out to wing defence and had an immediate impact, whilst footwork calls and miscommunication continued to be an issue out the front for both sides. The Swifts retained a two goal lead heading into the final change, although the Firebirds would not relent which set up a huge final quarter of action.

A massive final term saw neither side willing to stand down, with hard and fast physical netball played from both teams. The Firebirds midcourt was doing an excellent job of disrupting easy access to circle edge, but while the combination of Aiken and Bueta continued to fire the Firebirds just could not whittle down the margin until a Kim Jenner screamer allowed the side to capitalise and get within one. With the super shot period yet to commence, anything could happen, and that it did with a Simpson intercept translating into a Bueta super shot and one goal lead with just under five minutes on the clock. While a Swifts tactical timeout was intended to settle the side, a second Bueta super shot followed and a three goal margin extended the way of the Firebirds. But the Swifts were still not out of it, as Sarah Klau at one end was doing everything in her power to disrupt Aiken, whilst at the other it was Housby who stepped up in attack to will the side over the line, with the scoreline reading 63 apiece with a minute on the clock, before a 64-all full time score saw the match sent into overtime for the very first time in Suncorp Super Netball history.

While the momentum was all the way of the Firebirds, the Swifts had a glimpse at the win and it was once again the workrate of Klau that allowed the side to capitalise. Despite fingertips to the ball from both Ravaillion and Jenner, the Swifts continued to play their own game out the front as Wallace spilled a ball over the goal line with the side two goals up. But an over a third call showcased just how much pressure the Swifts were applying, with the side putting on a masterclass in patience, chipping the ball around to finish the game on their terms, 69-66.

The winning side won just the one quarter and overtime, but it was their ability to maintain pressure down the court and remain patient that got them over the line. Wallace starred with 49 goals at 100 per cent, while Housby (12 goals from 14 attempts) and Garbin (five from six) both played their role well. Maddy Proud and Nat Haythornthwaite shared the feeding load with 19 and 17 assists respectively, while Klau (five deflections, two intercepts – both in the dying stages) and Maddy Turner (five deflections) were not at their best but certainly gave the Firebirds attack a run for their money. For the Firebirds, Aiken (39 from 47) and Bueta (16 from 17) showcased just how well they combine together even after Bueta’s season away, while Dwan had an impact with three super shots to match Bueta and Housby (both three from four) for distance. Bueta ruled the roost with 17 goal assists while Simpson impressed with three gains from two intercepts and seven deflections.

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 13 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 2 (66)
NSW SWIFTS 18 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 5 (69)

STARTNG SEVENS

Firebirds:

GS: Romelda Aiken
GA: Gretel Bueta
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Gabi Simpson
GD: Kim Jenner
GK: Tara Hinchliffe

Swifts:

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

Picture credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images