By Sophie Taylor
Round 10 of Suncorp Super Netball action proved again, with three teams locked in for finals – but positions still to be confirmed – and two teams locked on equal points in the battle for fourth. These are the five things we learned this week.
TOP THREE WELL AND TRULY LOCKED
It has been clear who the top three teams are this season for a few weeks now, but round 10 well and truly cemented the three sides in premiership contention.
The Melbourne Vixens have been flying all season, and this round was no different.
Coming up against the Lightning – the only side to have beaten them this season – the Vixens knew they had a fight ahead of them.
But like every good team, they dug deep – despite injuries once again – to get the job done on Lightning’s home court.
The star-studded matchup once again went the distance, but it was Simone McKinnis’ team that went home to Melbourne with the win.
The Fever came up against a smarting Swifts outfit, holding onto victory after a Suncorp Super Shot charged comeback from the Swifts in the final quarter.
The Fever’s clinical ball movement was pivotal to take out the victory, finishing the match with an 82% centre pass to goal rate, and winning back ball in crucial moments.
Rounding out the top three is reigning premier, Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Another hefty win kept their percentage at a competition high, their defensive pressure shutting down yet another offensive unit.
All three take on bottom four sides in round 11, as they turn their attention towards grabbing hold of that precious double chance.
The Vixens held off the Lightning in another tight tussle.THE MAVS ARE ON THE MOVE
A slow start to their debut season had fans and pundits alike wondering whether the Melbourne Mavericks would have the desired impact upon joining the competition.
But despite some tough losses to start the season, the Mavericks have managed to close the gap on the top sides with some impressive performances and improved connections.
Another win this week puts them in fifth – equal points with Lightning in fourth – and while their poor percentage puts them at a slight disadvantage, there are enough rounds left in the season for the Mavs to make a surprise run at the finals.
Injuries have forced the Mavericks side to pivot multiple times this season, but it looks like they are now finding their feet and most importantly, their confidence, as a completely new side.
Gabby Sinclair has stood up in the absence of Eleanor Cardwell, putting out strong performances in the Mavs’ last two wins, while head coach Tracey Neville appears to have settled on a starting midcourt.
The only thing stopping the Mavericks now is their run home, still to play three of the current top four sides.
Only time will tell whether the Mavs will make finals in their debut season, but for now there’s no reason they can’t.
The Mavericks are starting to make their move on the finals.PERCENTAGE IS EVERYTHING
With the top three teams all still fighting for the minor premiership and two teams locked on 16 points, this season continues to intrigue.
Percentage has played a role in final standings before, but has it ever been such a main character with four weeks remaining in the season?
The percentage battle in the top three may not have come to a head yet, but with lower opposition sides on the cards for all three ladder-leaders, things could certainly get interesting in the weeks to come.
For the Lightning and Mavericks, these next few weeks will be crucial as the race for fourth heats up.
Injuries have soured both teams this season, but with a massive round 12 matchup looming between the two, their race to the finish line could be one of the most exciting storylines of the season.
Time is running out for the Swifts to get back in the mix, but one thing that Briony Akle’s side does extremely well is perform under pressure.
Whether that be external or internal pressure, the Swifts can never be counted out, and their current standing in sixth could change in a blink of an eye.
Time has more or less run out for the GIANTS and Firebirds, but mathematically both could still make finals.
The Thunderbirds defence took another victim this weekend.FITZGERALD’S MAGNIFICENT MILESTONE
It has been a season full of major milestones, but there is no more impressive that GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald who marked her 400th national league game as a coach over the weekend.
While the GIANTS couldn’t get the job done against the Thunderbirds, the occasion was one to watch and remember for all those who have watched her 27-year career blossom.
Beginning her elite level coaching journey in 1997 with the then-Sydney Swifts, Fitzgerald has been a staple in the Australian leagues, from the Commonwealth Bank Trophy to the ANZ Championship, and now Suncorp Super Netball.
She took the helm of the GIANTS in their inaugural season in 2017 and has not taken a backwards step, setting the standard from day one and proving her acumen by guiding them to the finals on four occasions and the grand final twice (2017, 2021).
Admired by many around her, and with 118 GIANTS matches to her name, Fitzgerald continues to shine on the sidelines.
STATS WRAP
Romelda Aiken-George has taken her rebounding tally to a round 50 for the season, while Shamera Sterling Humphrey holds the lead for defensive rebounds with 23, marginally ahead of Fran Williams (22).
A massive Thunderbirds win sees Sterling-Humphrey extend her lead over young gun Ash Ervin in the deflections tally, with 68 to her name at an average of almost seven deflections per game.
She sits behind teammate Latanya Wilson when it comes intercepts, trailing 33 to Wilson’s 37. Third on the leaderboard is Emily Mannix, with 22 to her name (averaging two per game).
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard continues to dominate across three of the categories, leading all-comers for goals scored and attempts (569/590 at 96% accuracy).
Donnell Wallam (427/498) and Sophie Garbin (400/454) take out second and third. Fowler-Nembhard also remains on top of the Nissan Net Points tally with 1117.5 to her name.
Liz Watson trails Fowler-Nembhard with 925 but tops the goal assists and centre pass tallies with 257 and 271, respectively.
Swifts stalwart Helen Housby continues to lead the Suncorp Super Shot tally, with 60 to her name from 90 attempts (66%).
