By Sophie Taylor
Round 3 always brings plenty of intrigue, and this year’s split round is no different with two matches complete and another two coming over the weekend.
We run you through our top talking points from the first weekend of Round 3 action.
TWO GAMES, NO SHORTAGE OF ENTERTAINMENT
A top of the table clash and a battle for a first win of the season – what more do you want on Easter Sunday?
The Mavericks got an important win to celebrate Shimona Jok’s 100th SSN outing, getting their first points on the board on their home court in Melbourne.
The GIANTS defensive efforts and physicality kept the Mavericks guessing in the opening half, before a 40-29 second half allowed the Mavs to pull away for the 71-56 win.
A 2023 Grand Final rematch was still to come though as the Thunderbirds hosted the Swifts in Adelaide.
With neither team the type to shy away from the contest, it was a physical battle from start to finish.
Jok shot 60 goals in her 100th SSN match.The Swifts got the last laugh credit to an enormous performance from Teigan O’Shannassy while the T’Birds will head back to the drawing board ahead of Round 4.
The split round continues over the weekend, with an all-Queensland battle shaping up on Saturday evening before the Vixens and Fever go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.
MILESTONES APLENTY
Jok’s 100th national league game wasn’t the only milestone over the weekend, with two more achievements setting tongues wagging in the second match of the round.
Romelda Aiken-George overtook Geva Mentor for most SSN and ANZ Premiership games played, taking the court for the 233rd time in her impressive career.
Spanning three clubs and boasting four premierships, Aiken-George has been a forced to be reckoned with since 2008 and was no different on Sunday with 38 goals to her name.
Paige Hadley also marked a milestone over the weekend, overtaking Liz Ellis to go second overall in NSW Swifts club appearances behind Cath Cox (192 games).
Hadley played her 174th match in Swifts colours against the Thunderbirds and led all comers for goal assists with 21 to her name out in centre.
Romelda Aiken-George celebrated her milestone post-match with both teams.KEEP AN EYE ON THE SWIFTS
One hundred percent gain to goal rate.
Let that sink in.
Every single gain the Swifts made, they turned into a goal. And they came out eight-goal winners, despite putting 16 more penalties on the board than the Thunderbirds.
Look, we all know the Swifts are the real deal in 2025.
They were tested by the Thunderbirds who took charge early in their table-topping clash on Sunday, but it did not take long for the Swifts to kick into gear.
Unforced errors were their only real fault in that opening quarter, and from there it was clear it was only a matter of time before the Swifts took the lead.
With only three missed goal attempts for the game and formidable performances across the court, the full court effort from the Swifts will be an important factor going forward this season.
O’Shannassy put out a particularly special performance, picking off five intercepts in the third quarter alone on her way to a seven-gain game.
Elsewhere, Grace Nweke was undeniable as ever with 48 goals at 96 percent, while Helen Housby’s nine from nine, four Suncorp Super Shots and 16 assists were crucial.
