By Matt Fotia
The SSN season is a marathon, not a sprint.
And deep down all fans will tell themselves not to overreact to one win, one loss, one quarter or even one moment.
Basically, don’t ride the rollercoaster.
Thursday Takes flies in the face of that logic.
Each week you’ll find our raw, unfiltered views on your club and what the weekend’s performance means for them going forward.
Check it out below.
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
There was a rumour some of the Thunderbirds biggest superstars were carrying injury niggles heading into round one. If that’s the case, operation threepeat is a very real possibility.
The reigning champions looked as slick as ever in their 13-goal win against the Vixens in the season opener, led by veteran Romelda Aiken-George who finished with 34 goals from 35 attempts in just 44 minutes of netball.
The Thunderbirds flexed their muscles in Round 1MELBOURNE VIXENS
Lily Graham simply must see significantly more court time in 2025, or else rival clubs will circle in the spring.
The young shooter was clearly the Vixens best attacker on the weekend, nailing all her one-point shots and five of her seven super shot attempts.
MELBOURNE MAVERICKS
If the Mavericks attacking end can get their game going in 2025, then the SSN’s newest club will be a real finals threat.
Tracey Neville’s side were impressive in defence against the Lightning, coming together to produce 16 gains, nine intercepts and nine deflections, all while conceding the third least penalties for the round.
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
The Lightning have the most potent and versatile shooting circle in the competition, especially if Cara Koenen can find a way to impact the game from super shot range.
Koenen managed 23 goals from 26 attempts in just 29 minutes against the Mavericks, complementing skipper Steph Fretwell (16 goals, 6 super shots) and young gun Reilley Batcheldor (22 goals, 2 super shots) beautifully.
Cara Koenen made the most of her time on court.GIANTS
Hope White’s debut performance was the best thing to happen to the GIANTS in a while.
The replacement player looked right at home at the elite level, finishing the game with 21 feeds and 15 assists.
It looks like Julie Fitzgerald finally has another lever she can pull in the wing attack position.
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
Macy Gardner keeps putting up massive numbers, and the netball community need to put more respect on her name.
The popular belief was that last year’s Laura Geitz medallist would be squeezed out of the starting line up in 2025 after the Firebirds off-season recruiting, but she showed the competition there was no chance of that happening, racking up 27 feeds, 10 assists, 6 deflections and three gains in the Firebirds win against the GIANTS.
Macy Gardner helped lead the Firebirds to their first ever Round 1 victory.WEST COAST FEVER
It’s going to be a long old season for the Fever if they continue to convert only 58 per cent of their centre passes.
The Fever’s uncharacteristic loss was headlined by their inability to maintain possession of the ball. The 2022 premiers finished the game with 30 possession changes, 20 general play turnovers and 10 missed goal turnovers, the most of any side in Round 1.
NSW SWIFTS
The Swifts change of fortune isn’t all about the addition of Grace Nweke. The introduction of Sharni Lambden and Verity Simmons has been just as important.
Lambden impressed in the wing defence bib, nabbing two deflections, an intercept and two assists, while Simmons stood tall against her old side, playing 38 minutes of game time, and finishing with 26 feeds and 15 assists, as her new side romped to an 18-goal win.
