NSW Swifts secured a powerful 13-goal victory (78-65) over the Queensland Firebirds in front of a vocal Queensland crowd. The Swifts entered looking for their ninth straight win with the Firebirds riding on their momentum from the last two weeks. Both sides had a lot of confidence with the Firebirds now playing for pride and the Swifts wanting to head into finals knowing their game plan.

With these four points now under the Swifts belt, they are officially the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Minor Premiers. They will host the major semi final with the opposition most likely the West Coast Fever.

Player of the match Sarah Klau was an absolute monster in defence for the Swifts, having the game of her life. The stats sit heavily in her favour with 100 NNPs, 10 deflections, eight gains, three intercepts and three rebounds, but the sheer presence of Klau put heavy doubt into the Firebirds feeders.

The Swifts defence were setting up a strong wall on the centre pass, forcing the Firebirds to pass back on second phase. The move of the box then forced the Firebirds wide which gave Klau the chance to go out for a fly – where she took a screamer in the first term – or leaving the Firebirds unable to get the angles they needed to feed the ball into Donnell Wallam (46 goals) effectively.

Romelda Aiken-George (43) returned to Queensland in front of the Brisbane crowd for the first time since joining the Swifts for the 2023 season. Her nerves were skyrocketing, but she was welcomed home with open arms.

Aiken-George was a great target for the Swifts out the back with the pass not being forced and waiting for the right option to open up in front.

A five-goal lead to the Swifts at half time caused a major shift in the midcourt for the Firebirds with it paying off on court but not on the scoreboard.

The introduction of Mia Stower and Gabi Simpson in the third term sparked some energy all throughout the court with the ball work becoming faster and sharper. This also put everyone in their first positions, allowing for more consistency through court for the Firebirds.

Rising star for the Firebirds in Leesa Mi Mi was one of those in her preferred wing attack position in the second half with her speed off the centre pass second to none while still being the dominant feeder.

The Firebirds overall seemed to look more comfortable as half of the side played a part of the highly successful Brisbane North Cougars in the Queensland national league the HART Sapphire Series

The Swifts continued to extend their lead with the help of a 16 – 24 third term as they just kept on chipping away at the ones and continued to place the scoreboard pressure on the Firebirds.

It was an equal fourth quarter where the Firebirds kept on challenging the deficit, but the Swifts proved to be too dominant and clinical on their turnovers and their ability to convert them.

Player of the Match = Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts)

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS          17 | 16 | 16 | 16 (65)
NEW SOUTH WALES SWIFTS     17 | 21 | 24 | 16 (78)

STARTING SEVENS

Queensland Firebirds:

GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Emily Moore
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Leesa Mi Mi
WD: Kim Ravaillion
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Remi Kamo

New South Wales Swifts:

GS: Romelda Aiken-George
GA: Helen Housby
WA: Paige Hadley
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Tayla Fraser
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau