Fierce head-to-head looms

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

The opening round of Suncorp Super Netball delivered nailbiters, fresh faces and powerful performances but Round 2 promises to turn up the heat.  

Former teammates will go head-to-head for bragging rights while other clubs are searching for their first victory. 

The reigning premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds survived by the skin of their teeth last weekend, but they’ll need to step up this week when they head to Melbourne to face the Vixens in their fortress. 

But the match everyone has been waiting for will be happening out west when Lightning's newest recruit Courtney Bruce goes head-to-head with her old club. 

WILL THE SUNSHINE COAST COME DOWN WITH A FEVER? 

The West Coast Fever were depleted in the off-season with only four members of their 2023 team remaining in green, but they haven’t missed a beat on the court.  

The Fever dominated the GIANTS in Round 1 to claim an early spot at the top of the ladder but over on the Sunshine Coast the Lightning put on a stellar performance of their own. 

The two sides are set to go head-to-head this weekend in one of the league’s most anticipated match ups. 

Only two goals separated them during pre-season at the Suncorp Team Girls Cup and with their sights set on going two from two Sunday afternoon is gearing up to be another nailbiter.  

Last year shockwaves went through the netball community when news broke that among the Fever departees was then captain Courtney Bruce. 

Bruce has found herself a new home on the Sunshine Coast and if last week is anything to go by, she’s thriving on the court. 

Lining up alongside a plethora of Origin Diamonds teammates, Bruce has comfortably slotted into the Lightning as has fellow Diamond Liz Watson.  

For a long time, Bruce was a trademark bookend of the Fever across the court from Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard but with Bruce departing they’re set to line up on opposing teams on the SSN court for the first time.  

The former teammates have plenty of experience going head-to-head on the international stage with neither player giving an inch to the other.  

Kadie-Ann Dehaney replaced Bruce at the Fever creating another noteworthy match up between former teammates to watch as she faces off with Lightning shooter Cara Koenen. 

Alice Teague-Neeld was unstoppable last weekend with 50 feeds for the Fever setting Lightning’s Ava Black and Mahalia Cassidy with the task to shut her down this week.   

The tantalising match ups on the court are endless with both teams aware of the damage their opposition will inflict if they’re allowed to shine. 

Not only will all eyes be on the superstars facing off but the youngsters on each side have also proven they can hold their own on the SSN stage. 

14 games roll through quickly and every single match will make a difference come the pointy end of the season.  

The winner will have a handy lead on the ladder to capitalise on while the loser will need to bounce back quickly.  

REST OF THE ROUND 

The Queensland Firebirds head into Round 2 with plenty of fire in their bellies, having only just fallen short to the reigning premiers they’ll carry in the confidence that they will be able to strike against the GIANTS on Saturday. 

While the GIANTS will be looking for redemption following their performance last weekend, sitting at the bottom of the ladder the time to climb is now.  

Then the reigning premiers will come up against the Melbourne Vixens. Both sides won last weekend but the Vixens will have the home crowd advantage behind them as the Thunderbirds hit the road.  

The last time the Thunderbirds were in Melbourne they lifted the SSN trophy, a feat they’re looking to repeat in 2024 but they’ll need to knock off the Vixens on their way there.  

To close out the round the NSW Swifts will host the Melbourne Mavericks. The sides both suffered losses last weekend and will hope to turn their season around with a win.  

The Swifts will take confidence in being in front of their home crowd again following their performance at this year’s Suncorp Team Girls Cup but the Mavericks could prevail with the odds stacked against them having only lost to the Swifts by three when they met in the pre-season.