Netball history was made, the reigning premiers experienced their first hiccup, and one team has proven why they can claim bragging rights this season.
These are the key takeaways from round six.
NETBALL HISTORY
Suncorp Super Netball made history on Tuesday with its inaugural Anzac Day match between the Collingwood Magpies and Sunshine Coast Lightning at John Cain Arena.
Some thrilling netball followed a spine-tingling Anzac ceremony, marking the first time netball had been played on such a significant day on the Australian calendar.
The Lightning had arrived in Melbourne with a point to prove and made light work of the Pies, to run out 65-50 victors.
While the visitors looked polished and in demand for most the game, the home side struggled.
Kelsey Browne and Sophie Garbin, normally a powerhouse duo in attack, went completely missing.
While Brown struggled to find circle edge, Garbin could not sink a shot under the Lightning’s relentless pressure.
It’s a concerning result for the Magpies, who while stacked with talent, can’t seem to string it all together.
While the Lightning, who finished dead last in 2022, are on the up and their only change is the return of Pretorius.
Given we’re about to approach the halfway mark of the season, time is running out for the Magpies to find their form, or at least the attacking finesse they showed in the opening two rounds.
GIANT KILLERS
The Queensland Firebirds have notched their first win in season 2023 with a thrilling victory over the GIANTS.
Not even the super shot was able to dig the GIANTS out of their rut, with the team in purple proving they can string an impressive four quarter performance together.
The Firebirds won every quarter bar the second to run out 70-66 victors.
Donnell Wallam was a standout. She sunk 51/53 goals from under the post, and managed to add 4/4 super shots to her stat sheet.
Putting Macy Gardner into wing attack for the majority of the game added a spark that the team desperately needed.
Gardner finished with 30 feeds and two gains, in her breakthrough match for the season.
Remi Kamo and Ruby Bakewell-Doran also combined well for eight gains between them.
In true GIANTS fashion, they relied on the super shot to get them back in the time. This time though, they struggled to sink them.
They put up a whopping 24 super shots but only 13 dropped for them.
But there are bigger issues in the GIANTS camp with Jo Harten leaving the court with what appeared to be a knee injury, after an awkward landing.
The Firebirds will have a big challenge on their hands this coming weekend when they take on the Melbourne Vixens – who have lost two on the trot.
While the GIANTS will face the Swifts in the NSW derby.
CARDWELL DOMINANCE
Eleanor Cardwell continues to solidify her reign as a force to be reckoned with in her Suncorp Super Netball debut season.
The England international has taken the competition by storm in her opening six fixtures, sitting sixth in the competition for total points scored and third overall for successful Suncorp Super Shots.
Cardwell has gone to another level in the last fortnight helping the Thunderbirds overcome both 2022 grand finalists and add some truth to the rumour that they are a genuine premiership contender.
The Thunderbirds recruit finished with 40 points (including five super shots) against the Vixens before willing her side over the line on Sunday against the Fever with 49 points, which saw Cardwell miss just one of her 34 one goal attempts and nail eight super shots, including one in the dying stages to put the Thunderbirds in front in front of massive crowd at the RAC Arena.
Cardwell has not only provided the Thunderbirds with a much needed attacking focal point in 2023, but also some much-needed leadership on court.
Much like her compatriot Jo Harten, Cardwell wears her heart on her sleeve and is adept at not only revving up the Thunderbirds faithful, but also driving her teammates at crucial junctures.
With Cardwell’s presence in attack accompanying the delights of their Jamaican defence, the Thunderbirds have gone from underachievers to a premiership threat in 2023.
They have beaten three other finals contenders already this season, have conceded 62 less goals than any other side and have the healthiest percentage in the competition.
Watch this space.
