IT was not the milestone match Maddy Turner would have liked, as her NSW Swifts went down to the Collingwood Magpies by eight goals, 66-58. The match was a tale of two halves, with the Swifts the more dominant side in the first half before Collingwood turned things around in the second.

The communication in the Collingwood attacking circle was at times poor in the opening term, which although it did not happen straight away it did eventually cost them on the scoreboard.   However, they called a time out, and the reset seemed to do them wonders as they reeled in the lead and drew level again.

Unfortunately for the Pies though, they were not level for long as the Swifts began to streak ahead again in the power five period, and at quarter time the visitors held a three goal lead.

Much of the second term was characterised by a lot of swings in momentum. Although Collingwood were never able to overtake the Swifts in the quarter, they certainly came right back at them, even levelling the score at one stage.

The Swifts then began to wrestle back control again in the final few minutes of the quarter, and at half time held a very handy five-goal lead.  

The third quarter was a physical one, but one that very much belonged to the Magpies. Their defenders in particular really lifted, and so they were able to draw back level again. Then, thanks to some stellar super shot shooting from Gabrielle Sinclair, the Pies were able to pull away and create a lead for the first time all game.

Helen Housby countered with some super shots of her own, but it was not enough as the Magpies finished with an 11 goal turnaround for the quarter to take a six goal lead into the final break. The Swifts coaching staff really shuffled the magnets at the final change, in the hope that their side would be able to regain momentum.

It failed emphatically, as the Magpies ran away with proceedings in the final term. The Swifts were able to peg it back briefly, but it ultimately did not amount to much as the Magpies were too strong and won by eight goals.

For Collingwood, the lift from their defenders really got things going for them. Geva Mentor finished with seven deflections, while Jodi-Ann Ward finished with four of them.

Collingwood’s shooters also did not miss a shot all game from either one point or two-point range. Meanwhile for the Swifts, Housby shot a whopping four super shots and Maddy Proud finished with a whopping 52 feeds, but it was not enough as the Magpies were just too strong.

Next week the Magpies are up in Queensland to face the Lightning, while the Swifts are hosting the Fever.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 12 | 16 | 22 | 16 (66)
NSW SWIFTS  15 | 18 | 11 | 14 (58)

STARTING SEVENS

Collingwood Magpies:

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Sophie Garbin
WA: Kelsey Browne
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Ash Brazill
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor

NSW Swifts

GS: Helen Housby
GA: Kelly Singleton
WA: Paige Hadley
C: Maddy Proud
WD: Tayla Fraser
GD: Maddy Turner
GK: Sarah Klau