SUNCORP Super Netball’ reigning premiers, NSW Swifts kept their undefeated season intact with a convincing performance against the Adelaide Thunderbirds (66-51). Having never lost a Round 3 game, the Swifts made sure that was not about to change as their silky transition down court exploited the Thunderbirds both in attack and defence. Welcoming back Sasha Glasgow and Layla Guscoth from injury, the Thunderbirds showed glimpses of brilliance but simply could not topple the Swifts.

In her 100th game, Paige Hadley got things underway with the centre pass. Her speed and vision was on full display as Sam Wallace opened the account in the first 10 seconds of play. It was goal for goal in the opening couple of minutes of the game with both sides treasuring possession and working their way to circle edge to gain prime feeding position. The Swifts opened up a three-goal lead capitalising on the Thunderbirds missed opportunities as Wallace and Helen Housby put on a show in the goal circle with their combined accuracy. Up the other end, Chelsea Pitman worked in overdrive in attack for the Thunderbirds taking advantage of her speed and ball placement, paired with her spatial awareness to deliver the ball into Lenize Potgieter despite being heavily manned.

A tactical timeout with five minutes left in the quarter saw Guscoth make her way onto court in wing defence with her hands over pressure immediately on show. The changes however did not seem to disturb the Swifts as they went about their business in attack, hitting the circle edge with great pace and precision. With the clock ticking down Glasgow entered the game in goal attack, showcasing just what she has to offer with a long bomb and Adelaide’s first super shot of the night. But the Swifts were happy to play at their own pace and disregard the super shot to steadily increase the margin and claim the ascendancy heading into the break.

Glasgow picked up where she left off in the second, finding her range to cut down the deficit early in the quarter. But the cracks in the developing combination between Glasgow and Potgieter started to show with a couple of rookie errors in the way of a short pass cost the Thunderbirds possession. The Swifts however started to kick into gear blowing out to an 11-goal lead as their composed nature shone true. Struggling to move the ball through the centre third thanks to the Swifts pressure the Thunderbirds rung in the changes with Hannah Petty taking the court, the first time since Round 1, and offering plenty of drive in the centre while Guscoth switched back into goal defence. Coming off a stellar performance last round, Sophie Garbin snuck onto the court in goal attack helping her side to push out to a 15-goal lead with their smooth transition front and centre.

In defence, Sarah Klau put on a show shutting down Potgieter at the post, covering her every move and pushing her up high in the circle. The Swifts contested every single pass forcing the Thunderbirds to work in overdrive to create any inch of space. With the game slipping away a strong rebound from Shamera Sterling and Guscoth gave Adelaide something to build off sinking back to back goals. Moments later, Pitman delivered through the midcourt with her three-foot marking paying off to snatch an intercept. The Swifts were eager to put a stamp on the moment shift as Lauren Moore collected an intercept of her own and Wallace punished at the post. Down by 17 goals, Glasgow stepped up to the plate with consecutive super shots and keep the Thunderbirds in with a fighting chance.

The Swifts came out of the blocks firing, nailing the first two goals of the second term to extend the lead. In her familiar position of goal shooter Glasgow oozed confidence but the shooting circle as a whole lacked movement with Glasgow and Samantha Gooden leading into the same space and clogging the circle. The injection of Georgie Horjus paid dividends with the speedy goal attack darting in and around the attacking third. Going on a four goal shooting spree the Swifts made a host of changes with Tayla Fraser slotting into the wing defence position.

With the tide swinging towards the Thunderbirds, Housby stepped up to the plate showcasing her defensive prowess with an impressive deflection that landed in the lap of Wallace. But the Thunderbirds were not done with yet as Maisie Nankivell cranked it up in defence getting her hands to ball around circle edge while Petty also lifted in intensity. Coming out of the break with a renewed sense of urgency Sterling led the way down back but they struggled to capitalise on their opportunities in attack with two consecutive missed shots. With eight goals separating the two sides in the final five minutes of term the Swifts once again put the foot down as Housby sunk a timely super shot to re-establish a 12-goal buffer.

The final quarter saw changes aplenty from both sides as Maddy Proud showcased her classy touch for the Swifts in attack while Potgieter proved how quickly she can score. Both sides went neck and neck throughout the term but the Swifts steadily started to pull away and display their cleanliness and strong connections across the court. Youngster Kelly Singleton made her debut coming on and nailing a goal as the Swifts cruised to a 15-goal victory.

Potgieter was accurate converting 17 goals from 19 attempts but down on her usual output. Horjus was a solid contributor with on the scoreboard with seven goals, while Glasgow turned it on in her return game with 16 goals, seven of which were super shots. For the Swifts, Wallace presented well in at goal shooter and increased her volume from last week with 27 goals for the game while Housby also continued on her merry way sinking 21 goals. After stunning last round Garbin plied her trade to post, but only managed 10 goals. Down back, Klau stood tall with one intercept and four deflections while fellow goal keeper Sterling amassed seven deflections, three rebounds and an intercept.

>>> SWIFTS TEAM PAGE

>>> THUNDERBIRDS TEAM PAGE

>>> FULL GAME STATS

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Swifts 18 | 17 | 12 | 19 (66) 
Thunderbirds 10 | 13 | 12 | 16 (51)

STARTING SEVEN:

NSW Swifts:

GS: Sam Wallace
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Nat Haythornthwaite
C: Paige Hadley
WD: Sophie Craig
GD: Lauren Moore
GK: Sarah Klau

Adelaide Thunderbirds:

GS: Lenize Potgieter
GA: Georgie Horjus
WA: Chelsea Pitman
C: Maisie Nankivell
WD: Shadine van der Merwe
GD: Kate Shimmin
GK: Shamera Sterling

Centre Pass Podcast: Maddy Proud interview (Round 2 wrap)

Centre Pass Podcast: Georgie Horjus interview (Round 1 wrap)