Five things we learned: SSN Round 11

By Sophie Taylor

Eleven rounds of SSN action have been and gone, and the season continues to surprise with a close ladder and ongoing movement keeping the finals race tight.

We run through the five things we learned this week.

LADDER SHUFFLES CONTINUE

Every time we think the ladder is locked, teams pull out stunning performances to switch things around.

This week, it was the Queensland Firebirds who stepped up to the plate, overcoming a slow start to defeat the West Coast Fever.

After a tumultuous few weeks off the court, it was a moment of release for the Firebirds who took hold of the contest in the second half and never looked like succumbing to the Fever’s enormous challenge.

The eight-goal victory has shuffled both sides on the ladder, with the Firebirds taking a much-needed jump into seventh, with potential to shake up finals positions – if not make finals themselves.

Unfortunately for the Fever, this loss bumps them to third place after the Thunderbirds’ percentage-boosting win on Saturday night, while the Vixens remain two games clear on top.

While the top four is tight, there is no denying the bottom four sides are out for blood with only percentage separating the bottom three teams, and inconsistency hurting the Mavericks in fifth.

The GIANTS will be rueing the missed opportunity to move into fifth, not only falling to the Lightning in a close contest but sinking to the bottom of the ladder in the process.

Only one win behind the Lightning, the Mavericks are holding onto fifth place by the skin of their teeth.

HOW DOES 2024 COMPARE TO 2023?

This time last year, the ladder looked very different.

The Thunderbirds and Swifts both had two losses – and a draw – to their name, with percentage keeping the eventual premiers at number one.

The Fever and Vixens sat third and fourth with identical 7-4 records, though the Fever held a distinct percentage advantage.

While three of the above teams remain in the top four this year, they have also all scored more goals this year in an exciting uplift on court and have similar ‘goals against’ compared to last year.

Unfortunately, the Swifts record last year is almost inversed this year, sitting at 3-8 for the season.

The Firebirds currently sit in the same position as last year with the same win-loss record – both an improvement considering their start to the season, but also slightly disappointing considering their changes over the off-season.

The Lightning and GIANTS could not be split this time last season with 16 points apiece (4-7) and similar percentages, but this year have changed their tune in fourth and eighth respectively.

With three more rounds remaining and likely plenty of ladder moves to come, it is safe to say Suncorp Super Netball fans will be the big winners this season.

BIG WINS BOOST PERCENTAGE

The Vixens and Thunderbirds are in fine form, with huge margins keeping them ahead of the Fever.

Both teams kept their opposition to under 50 goals this week, outclassing them defensively and powering ahead in supercharged second halves.

The Thunderbirds defensive pressure is always immense, and that was no different this week up against the Mavericks.

While the Mavs utilised the ball-winning ability of their midcourt, it was not enough to turn the game around – even with Shamera Sterling-Humphrey taking to the bench during the second quarter.

The Thunderbirds kept the Mavericks to just 16 goals in the second half and used their depth well to keep the substitution-heavy Mavericks second guessing every step of the way.

The Vixens were more than comprehensive against their traditional rivals, the NSW Swifts.

While the Swifts came out relatively strong in the first quarter, the Vixens capitalised off missed connections and used their long arms to force errors from the usually composed Swifts outfit.

While the injection of Tonga Tala talent Uneeq Palavi gave the Swifts a clearer target through the middle stages of the match, the Vixens were quick to adjust and came out stronger again to deny the Swifts a comeback.

While Sarah Klau finished the match with eight gains, and the Swifts piled on seven successful Suncorp Super Shots, there is no denying the potency of the Vixens’ offensive pressure.

DEPTH OR FULL 60

While the entire competition is chock full of talent, there is no doubting the depth of side teams compared to others as the season begins to wrap up.

The Vixens are lacking some bench depth at the moment with two of their contracted 10 sitting out with injury but have not skipped a beat with head coach Simone McKinnis accustomed to keeping her seven out on court for the full 60 minutes.

While that slightly shifted this week, with Rudi Ellis coming on in an impact role upon return from injury, the Vixens forced the Swifts into a wealth of changes and capitalised again and again.

The Thunderbirds have a different approach when it comes to their game plan, with head coach Tania Obst utilising her bench depth weekly to change each game.

While both options have merit and their own lists pros and cons, the question really remains with the bottom sides.

For the Mavericks, it seems to be a warning sign when the bibs start rotating, with the side seemingly losing some control and confidence once their starters are out of position.

This became clear on the weekend, with the Thunderbirds extending their lead once changes came into play, and the home team’s players flourishing in secondary positions compared to the Mavericks’ movement.

Both Queensland teams look their best with their starting sevens on court but use their benches when required to inject energy into the match and tend to lift when they do.

The Firebirds made a change to their starting side this week, with Isabelle Shearer earning her first start, but otherwise the side did not stray from their seven in a complete performance against the Fever.

STATS WRAP

Liz Watson continues to shine for the Lightning, taking her season tally to 284 goal assists and 297 centre pass receives, leading Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld who holds second for both categories.

Watson is the only Aussie to top a table, with international talent continuing their stunning form, though she sits second – and Kate Moloney third – behind Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard for Nissan Net Points.

Fowler-Nembhard’s overall dominance continues, with 630 goals from 657 attempts. International teammates Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Romelda Aiken-George lead the rebounds tally with 24 and 54 to their name, respectively.

Sterling-Humphrey’s defensive pressure continues to shine on court and shows in the stats with her 73 deflections (6.6 per game) and 39 intercepts (3.5 per game).

Helen Housby continues to impress from range, keeping her Swifts in the game with her 62 successful Suncorp Super Shots for the season from 95 attempts. Origin Diamonds Sophie Dwyer (53/85) and Kiera Austin (46/77) sit second and third for the goals and attempts categories, respectively.