By Stephanie Smarrelli
Given it is home to the world’s best netballers, the Suncorp Super Netball league has had no shortage of thrilling moments.
The most recent season alone featured match-winning Super Shots, clutch intercepts and individual performances that inspired not only the SSN teams but the next generation of netballers to come.
This year’s grand final between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts will go down as one of the best matches in league history.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best SSN matches in competition history.
5. Round 14 2019
NSW Swifts 64 def Queensland Firebirds 63
The eventual 2019 premiers were in danger of heading into finals out of form with a loss the previous week to the Collingwood Magpies.
At half time the Firebirds held a three-goal lead, leaving the Swifts with a bit of work to do for the second half to reverse their costly second quarter.
The NSW Swifts and Queensland Firebirds fought hard to finish the home-and-away season with a win. The Swifts managed to turn the tables in the third quarter and were able to steal the lead heading into the final term.
It was a tight tussle with the lead seesawing between the two sides. Helen Housby re-entered the game late after being rested in her first clash back from injury and the star had immediate impact.
A replayed ball against Firebird Caitlyn Nevins enabled the Swifts to draw level again but moments later Gretel Bueta intercepted and the Firebirds led again.
Just as it was looking like the Firebirds would be able to win, a late turnover gave the Swifts their golden opportunity. Stalwarts Sam Wallace and Housby slotted crucial goals as their teammates milked the clock to seal the win.
4. Round 14 2022
Melbourne Vixens 56 def Collingwood Magpies 54
The 2022 home-and-away season came down to the wire with the Collingwood Magpies needing to either win or lose by no more than two goals.
The Magpies weren’t at full strength though. They were missing head coach Nicole Richardson, co-captain Ash Brazill, Jodi-Ann Ward and Maggie Lind due to health and safety protocols.
With so many players on the sidelines the Magpies shocked the netball world with retired Origin Diamond and former Melbourne Vixen Renae Ingles coming out of retirement to take the court.
Renae Ingles stepped into the Magpies outfit against her former team. It was a well fought match with the Magpies doing everything they could to pull themselves over the line, trailing by seven at three-quarter time.
The two sides traded blows for much of the match, in front of a packed out John Cain Arena. But in the dying moments the Melbourne Vixens looked set to nail the season-ending blow to the Magpies’ campaign with Mwai Kumwenda lined up for a two-point shot.
But the Magpies survived with Kumwenda's miss a rare blemish on a near perfect day.
The Vixens won the match by two goals but it was the undermanned Magpies who were elated, the narrow margin enabling them to keep their spot in the top four heading into finals, knocking the reigning premiers out of contention.
3. 2018 Elimination Final
Sunshine Coast Lightning 57 def Queensland Firebirds 56
In the second season of the competition the Sunshine Coast Lightning almost had their back-to-back premiership dream shattered by their state rivals.
The two sides fought tooth-and-nail all year with three goals the most that had separated them throughout the season.
The Battle of the Bruce delivered another tight tussle. In an elimination final for the ages the Queensland Firebirds bounced back against the Sunshine Coast Lightning who won the first three quarters of the match.
The Firebirds’ last quarter surge was led by Laura Geitz and Kim Jenner, who combined with four gains in the do-or-die final term.
But the Lightning weathered the storm.
A string of goals from Caitlin Bassett and Steph Wood kept the Lightning ahead by a goal for the remainder of the match with time running out for the Firebirds.
2. 2022 Preliminary Final
Melbourne Vixens 55 def GIANTS Netball 54
The Melbourne Vixens looked to be in command early at their home fort of John Cain Arena against the GIANTS in the 2022 preliminary final.
With a spot in the grand final on the line the 2022 preliminary final was hotly contested. In the dying minutes of the match an Amy Parmenter intercept looked to be the match-winner for the GIANTS but Emily Mannix had other ideas.
The Vixens' defender soaring into action to steal the ball back with the side having time to play it down the court.
Mwai Kumwenda slotted the deciding goal with the GIANTS left ruing their costly errors.
The result ended the GIANTS premiership dreams, while the Vixens’ dream was still alive.
1. 2020 Grand Final
Melbourne Vixens 66 def West Coast Fever 64
The story of the 2020 Grand Final will headline the history books for many years to come.
It was the first time the Super Shot was used in a finals' series.
Champion players Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip pulled on their Vixens’ kit for the last time.
And the backdrop of the pandemic added an extra layer of emotion for clubs and fans alike.
The Vixens celebrated their grand final victory after a tough year. Grand finals are won in key moments, sides often need to take a risk and seize the moment to win the game but it doesn't always pay off.
With less than two minutes remaining on the clock scores were level, the Fever's Alice Teague-Neeld took a risk putting up a two-point shot which, if she sunk it, would've given her side a chance at victory but she missed.
One-goal ahead, the Vixens rebounded and played the ball around to milk the clock, Kumwenda eventually shooting the winning goal with two seconds left.
The sides went blow-for-blow from the first whistle until the end of the match, whenever one team looked to have an advantage the other responded.
Jhaniele Fowler and Mwai Kumwenda spearheaded the shooting for their respective sides and were backed up by their fellow shooters when required.
Emily Mannix and Courtney Bruce both tallied three gains each in defence influencing the play from the defensive third.
While the midcourters battled hard through every minute of the match to try and give their team the edge.
It was a grand final epic igniting a rivalry that continues to grow. View highlights from these matches here.
