Talking points: Round 4

By Sophie Taylor

One club has gone a game clear, while the ladder has tightened up significantly ahead of a blockbuster Round 5 this week.

We run you through our top talking points from Round 4.

LADDER LOGJAM REMAINS

If we thought the ladder logjam kept things interesting during the split round, the results during Round 4 brought a whole new layer to the competition.

The Swifts are sitting pretty atop the ladder from four rounds, leading the charge ahead of five clubs on two wins apiece.

The Thunderbirds missed an opportunity to reduce the margin between themselves and the Swifts on the ladder after a shock loss to the GIANTS, while the two Queensland clubs round out the top four despite both succumbing to losses this week.

Only the closeness of their margins has the Lightning sitting in third, though a frustrating two-goal loss to the Fever on the weekend may become the difference between the Lightning making or missing finals down the track.

The Vixens and Fever will hope respective wins this week lead to a sharp trajectory, both sitting in the bottom four after slow and unprecedented starts to the season.

The bottom two (Mavericks and GIANTS) are also only separated by percentage, with the Mavs’ marginally better scorelines keeping them ahead – for now.

The GIANTS got a much-needed first win of the season on the board with a stunning victory over the Thunderbirds, as Amy Sligar put out an impressive performance to keep Georgie Horjus quiet.

The tightness of the ladder makes things intriguing heading into the midpoint of the season with little between the teams as they fight for an elusive post-season finals run.

BRUCE VS FOWLER-NEMBHARD

With Ash Ervin in fine form to start the season and Jhaniele-Fowler-Nembhard back out on court, there were questions over who would get the start in goal keeper for the Lightning.

And while it was Ervin who did get the nod, a stellar start from the Jamaican goal shooter forced an early change – and proved why Bruce remains one of the best in the business.

The former Fever captain well and truly utilised her knowledge of Fowler-Nembhard, bringing confidence to the Lightning defence and allowing Tara Hinchliffe to shine out in goal defence (two gains, three pickups).

Bruce’s six gains (11 deflections) were crucial to the Lightning’s success early, and despite missing minutes early in the final quarter, she continued to apply heavy pressure and kept Fever guessing until the very end.

Fortunately for Fever, Fowler-Nembhard has come back into the side and has not skipped a beat after time out of the side.

She shot 54 goals at 100 percent on the weekend, with her only blemishes two missed Suncorp Super Shots from three attempts, and she also reeled in six crucial rebounds.

YOUNG GOALERS STEP UP

Some young Aussies have been taking the bull by the horns to start the season, particularly in goal attack.

Reilley Batcheldor has come out firing to start 2025, able to play as an impact option or consistent contributor, depending on what head coach Belinda Reynolds requires.

She played a bit of both this week and put up 20 goals at 87 percent, using her connection with both Steph Fretwell and Cara Koenen to put out a high-impact performance.

Thunderbirds young gun Lauren Frew showcased what she’s made of last season and has come into her second season with even greater poise under pressure.

The zippy goal attack put on a standout performance in her side’s shock loss on the weekend, putting 16 goals on the board including a whopping seven Suncorp Super Shots from 11 attempts. She also topped the T’Birds’ goal assists stat with 17 to her name.

Tonga sharpshooter and Mavericks injury replacement player Uneeq Palavi set tongues wagging upon her SSN debut in 2024 and has been a handy contributor to the Mavs lineup in recent weeks.

She put up seven goals on Sunday afternoon against a heaving Vixens defensive unit, including three clutch Suncorp Super Shots in the final five minutes of the match to reduce the margin to eight goals.

ON THE STATS SHEET

Swifts’ Grace Nweke (202 goals from 216 attempts) tops the stats sheet for goals scored this week, moving ahead of Mavs’ Shimona Jok (195 from 210) who hit her 4000 SSN goal milestone on Sunday afternoon.

Fretwell’s 16 Suncorp Super Shots from 29 attempts keeps her atop both stats, closely followed by Matisse Letherbarrow (15 from 25) while Mary Cholhok remains well ahead for offensive rebounds with 35 to her name.

Helen Housby’s connection with Nweke continues to shine, with this week’s haul of 19 goal assists putting her on level pegging with Hannah Mundy for the season (78 apiece).

They are very closely followed by Liz Watson (76), Paige Hadley (75) and Alice Teague-Neeld (71). Mundy leads the league for centre pass receives (79), marginally ahead of teammate Kiera Austin and Watson (78).

Defensively, Ruby Bakewell-Doran takes top spot for rebounds with 12, while Latanya Wilson has 27 deflections to her name and Ervin and Jodi-Ann Ward sit on nine intercepts apiece.