By Stephanie Smarrelli
It will be all eyes on John Cain Arena on Saturday night when some of Suncorp Super Netball’s best go head-to-head.
The Melbourne Vixens will play host to the top of the table Adelaide Thunderbirds, bringing international stars from three of the strongest netball nations together.
Both sides are well and truly on their way to potential finals glory, so netty fans will not want to miss a moment of this blockbuster.
The home side will be out for redemption having struggled against the ladder-leaders in Round 5 while the Thunderbirds will be determined to prove they can do it again.
Both teams head into the showdown in form with the Vixens on a three-match winning streak while the Thunderbirds have not lost since Round 4.
Undefeated at home, the question is whether the Thunderbirds can dismantle the Vixens’ fortress.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds won by 11 goals when the two teams last met.Eleanor Cardwell will be key for the Thunderbirds. The England Rose, who has just booked her ticket to the Netball World Cup, will look to solidify her team’s position at the top of the Suncorp Super Netball ladder.
The Thunderbirds were most damaging last weekend in the final quarter after Cardwell returned to the court having spent some time on the sidelines with an injury concern.
The Vixens tested a range of defensive combinations against the Sunshine Coast Lightning last week but it is seasoned defender Jo Weston who is most likely to line up against Cardwell.
Down the other end of the court a matchup between two global superstars Mwai Kumwenda and Shamera Sterling awaits.
Last time the two teams met Sterling kept Kumwenda to an uncharacteristically low 25 goals.
The small number also a result of the hard work being done by her teammates Matilda Garrett, Latanya Wilson and Hannah Petty who assisted in shutting down the Vixens attack.
The Thunderbirds’ defensive unit responsible for 15 gains that day compared to seven gains from the Vixens’ defence.
Latanya Wilson was a standout in Round 5 against the Vixens.If the match is close, the Thunderbirds will need to keep a close eye on Kiera Austin. The shooter’s clutch accuracy has secured a Vixens win after the whistle the past two weeks and she will be up to the challenge of doing it for a third time if needed.
The Vixens will also have to ensure they avoid a final term fadeout, which is what happened last week against the Lightning.
If they win on the weekend, their spot in the top four will also be solidified.
For the Thunderbirds, another victory is crucial to hold onto top spot.
THE REST OF THE ROUND
The Sunshine Coast Lightning will be desperate for a win after losing three on the trot when they face the GIANTS on Saturday.
But the GIANTS will be keen to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself, given their Round 1 loss to the sunny coast outfit.
The Lightning will be looking for their first win since Round 6.The NSW Swifts will host the Collingwood Magpies. While the Pies are lingering near the bottom of the table, they will take great confidence from the fact they defeated the NSW side in Round 1.
While the West Coast Fever and Queensland Firebirds will close out Round 10. The Firebirds will go into the match knowing they can match it with the reigning premiers only losing to the side by two goals earlier this season.
But the Fever will be determined not to make it three consecutive losses before they’re forced to face the ladder leading Thunderbirds next week.
