Five things we learned: SSN Round 13

By Sophie Taylor

The stage is set for a monster final round of action after the ladder experienced one last shakeup in Round 13.

These are the five things we learned this week.

WHO WILL BE MINOR PREMIER

The Thunderbirds have leapt to the top of the ladder for the first time this season, overtaking the Vixens following a 12-goal win over the Swifts.

They have been on a stellar run of form and this round was no different.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was her usual self, quelling the influence of the Swifts attack with her nine gains (10 deflections) while Georgie Horjus continues to shine in attack, leading all comers with her 22 goal assists and five goals.

The battle between the Fever and Vixens was just as much a blockbuster as predicted with the clash coming down to the final moments.

While the Vixens got the chocolates earlier in the season, the Fever got their revenge this round and controlled the airways impressively to always stay one step ahead of the home side.

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (60 goals from 61 attempts) and Kadie-Ann Dehaney (seven gains, eight deflections) shone as Fever treasured possession to run home with the win.

Vixens rookies Lily Graham and Zara Walters both shone under pressure, as Graham finished with 17 goals from her 29 minutes and Walters impressed in the absence of Hannah Mundy.

With so many players across all three teams able to perform under pressure, the question remains: which team will step up to take the minor premiership?

The final week of action is almost certain to come down to percentage.

Unless fourth-ranked Lightning can steal a win over the Thunderbirds, it looks like the reigning premiers will clinch the minor premiership title given they hold a commanding percentage lead (122.85%) over both the Vixens (111.04%) and Fever (109.54%).

However, both the Vixens and Fever will play bottom four sides so will be quietly confident in their potential to build on their percentages.

Watch this space!

WHICH TEAM SECURES FOURTH

While the top three teams have been swapping and changing all season, Round 14 will mark the last finals chance for two teams.

The Lightning and Mavericks have been neck and neck during the second half of the season after similarly slow starts to the year.

Having both suffered injuries and rotations aplenty, there is no doubt things could have been very different this season – but that makes this final round all the more intriguing after both teams succeeded on the weekend.

The Lightning found their form in a convincing performance over the Firebirds on Saturday night, boosting their finals chances in the process.

With the attacking end looking slick, they hold a 10% lead over the Mavericks on the ladder but will be hoping the Mavs fall to the Fever on the weekend to solidify their chances ahead of their match against the Thunderbirds – which will close the home and away season.

The Mavericks will be hoping for a last-minute upset to pile the pressure onto the Lightning, having only lost to the Fever by seven goals in Round 3.

It is not outside the realm of possibility, especially given the Mavericks’ recent form which had them win back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

YOUNG GUNS CONTINUE TO STEP UP

It is safe to say this season has featured plenty of young talent and the last few rounds have well and truly showcased the hard work of young players.

Amy Sligar is in career-best form this season and put out another consistent performance during the weekend.

She once again earned the start over New Zealand international Sam Winders and while the GIANTS did succumb to the Mavericks in a topsy-turvy battle, Sligar was one of the most consistent on the court finishing with four gains (three intercepts, four deflections).

Leesa Mi Mi continues to shine at Suncorp Super Netball level and this week was no different in the Lightning’s runaway win over the Firebirds.

The eventual Player of the Match piled on 21 goal assists from 43 circle feeds and also came through for two important intercepts up against fellow talent Macy Gardner and stalwart Kim Ravaillion.

Vixens’ Graham earned her most minutes of the season so far, shining in the Vixens’ narrow loss to the Fever.

Six of her 17 goals were Suncorp Super Shots, unfazed under pressure from a hot-handed Fever defensive unit and showing some smooth movement inside the goal circle.

While she may not be the focal point of the Thunderbirds attack, youngster Lauren Frew has come along in leaps and bounds from her Round 1 debut and played another strong 40 minutes over the weekend.

She finished with 10 goals from 11 attempts and also helped the feeding and midcourt load with 10 goal assists and 17 centre pass receives to her name.

Fever prospect Olivia Wilkinson may have only played 16 minutes, but it was high impact and high return for her time to finish with 11 centre pass receives, nine goal assists and two goals.

NAIDOC WEEK

With outstanding Welcome to Country and half-time performances, First Nations cultures were honoured across the round to lead into NAIDOC Week (July 7-14).

Highlighting the achievements of First Nations people from across the country, NAIDOC Week – and this week’s edition of First Nations Round – is a celebration of culture.

The second edition of First Nations Round for the 2024 season was a raging success as all four home teams put on a show with their celebration and sharing of stories.

All eight clubs wore their First Nations designs again and put out some incredible performances both on and off the court.

The showing on Turrbal and Yuggera lands (Brisbane) well and truly epitomised the meaning behind the round, even more so with First Nations players Donnell Wallam (Noongar) and Leesa Mi Mi (Wakka Wakka) on court.

The emotional showing on court signified just how important this round is, acknowledging the immense contribution from those involved in the sport from grassroots to professional.

STATS WRAP

To no one’s surprise, Fowler-Nembhard continues to shine with her 60 goals on the weekend continuing her scoring dominance and taking her season tally to 745 from 777 attempts.

She also continues her Nissan Net Points charge with 1436, leading Liz Watson (1269) and Sterling-Humphrey (1212).

Sterling-Humphrey holds the mantle defensively, with 90 deflections (6.9 per game) and 43 interprets (3.3 per game) and marginally ahead of teammate Latanya Wilson (76 and 42).

Sterling-Humphrey has extended her defensive rebounding lead over young gun Ash Ervin to 32 for the season, while Romelda Aiken-George leads all comers on the offensive rebound front (64).

Watson’s 346 goal assists is 24 ahead of Fever wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld, while she is almost 73 centre pass receives clear of Teague-Neeld to top that category with 353 to her name.

Helen Housby’s long range shooting continues to shine despite her side’s woes this season, with 67 successful Suncorp Super Shots from 107 attempts, ahead of Origin Diamonds players Sophie Dwyer (60/97) and Kiera Austin (55/93).