Can the Swifts be stopped?

By Stephanie Smarrelli 
 
We’re at the halfway point of the season. 
 
And the top teams are setting themselves apart from the rest of the pack. 
 
Speaking of top teams, no one has come close to the Swifts. 
 
Still undefeated after the opening six rounds, this week they’ll have another opportunity to silence the competition. 

Their challengers? 
 
The Sunshine Coast Lightning. 

 
The Lightning will take plenty of confidence into their match up against the Swifts following their demolition of the Vixens last weekend. 
 
They got the win against the Swifts both times they met last season and will be keen to continue the trend. 
 
But the Swifts will be their toughest task yet. 

The Swifts were challenged in last week’s clash against the GIANTS proving there’s some chinks in their armour but a powerful third quarter surge showed how dangerous they are when they hit their stride.   
 
On the Sunny Coast this weekend every match up across the court is tantalising. 
 
The biggest of them all, Courtney Bruce vs Grace Nweke. 

 

The two are no stranger to coming up against one another with plenty of experience on the international stage. 
 
Both are in red-hot form with massive performances in Round 6 and will come into the game ready to fire. 
 
Liz Watson and Paige Hadley will likely dominate the midcourt discussion but don’t forget about Leesa Mi Mi. 

The agile midcourter is quietly going about her business but continues to impress, with 38 feeds last weekend. It’ll be crucial the Swifts find a way to nullify her influence.  
 
The Swifts defenders are also in their prime. From Sarah Klau to Teigan O’Shannassy they haven’t missed a beat. 
 
The interesting part of this weekend’s equation is whether or not Lightning’s Cara Koenen takes to the court. 

 
She sat on the sidelines throughout Round 6 ,while Reilley Batcheldor stood tall playing a full 60 minutes. The Swifts will need to change their defensive tactics depending on which goaler they come up against. 
 
Batcheldor and Steph Fretwell are both zippy goalers with the ability to make it rain Super Shots at UniSC Arena. 
 
A scary prospect for the Swifts if the match gets close but with their own Super Shot specialist in Helen Housby there’s really no predicting how the match will end. 

 
THE REST OF THE WEEKEND 
 
Round 7 is First Nations Round and while the artwork and stories behind each teams' dress will be in the spotlight, so will the clashes on the court. 
 
Following on from the round’s headline match, the GIANTS will hunt for their second win of the season against Fever. 

The last five meetings have gone the way of the green machine but don’t underestimate the GIANTS. 

 
The side will be ruing letting last weekend’s match slip away from them in the second half. 

Both times the teams met last season there were only three goals between the two sides, setting up what could be a much closer clash than one might anticipate based on ladder positions.  
 
Then on Sunday the Firebirds host the Vixens. 

Both sides are starting to lose touch with the top four with only two wins each, but the season is far from over. 
 
This weekend will be their opportunity to turn momentum back in their favour and put the first half of the season behind them. 
 
Expect a fierce match as every win could be the difference between playing finals to vie for a premiership and missing out completely. 

One team that experienced the heartbreak of just missing out on finals last season is the Mavericks. 
 
The Mavs will have a challenge on hand against the reigning premiers on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Tarntanya Karntu (Adelaide Thunderbirds) slipped down the ladder last week with their loss to Fever pushing them into fourth position where they now have the Mavericks breathing down their necks. 
 
A win this weekend will keep Tarntanya Karntu in the top four, but a loss will have their dreams of a threepeat at risk.