By Sophie Taylor
These are the five things we learned across round two of Suncorp Super Netball action.
HOME SIDES IMPRESS
Two days, two very different results.
But one thing the two days of SSN action had in common was all four successful clubs claimed home wins thanks to important home crowds.
For the Queensland Firebirds and Melbourne Vixens, solid home crowds willed the two sides over the line in tight contests.
Nissan Arena has been a Firebirds fortress for years, and that rang true once again even as Firebirds fans were left on the edge of their seats in a nailbiter which featured the GIANTS coming wateringly close to a come-from-behind win.
It was a similar story at John Cain Arena, as the Vixens held strong to claim a one-goal victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a see-sawing clash.
In comparison, West Coast Fever’s and NSW Swifts’ crowds silenced their opposition from the get-go to control proceedings and get big wins on the board, as the Fever took advantage of early Lightning errors and the Swifts sailed past newcomers, Melbourne Mavericks.
Early wins are critical in a short season, making these home victories even more important.
FEVER STAMP THEIR MARK
There were undeniable question marks over the West Coast Fever after a busy signing period, but it all has seemed to work in their favour so far with a second comprehensive win on the trot.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard did not skip a beat against former captain Courtney Bruce, sinking 66 goals (three Suncorp Super Shots) at 97%.
The new-look three-pronged attacking combination of Shanice Beckford, Alice Teague-Neeld and Kelsey Browne had little issue punching through the Lightning’s defence.
The trio combined for 63 goal assists between them, with Teague-Neeld accounting for 29 alone as both Browne and Beckford picked up important gains.
Fever claimed a huge round two win in front of their home crowd.Defensively, the Fever shone. Sunday Aryang found her form – despite a nasty-looking fall – and came up with six intercepts against former Origin Diamond teammate Steph Fretwell to go with an additional seven deflections. Smothering pressure from Fever captain Jess Anstiss kept Lightning recruit Liz Watson to 18 goal assists, while also allowing goal keepers Fran Williams and Kadie-Ann Dehaney to have an impact.
The pair applied crucial hands-over pressure which caused inaccuracy from the typically composed Lightning, and combined for five gains for their trouble.
COACHING TACTICS WIN MATCHES
The return of stalwart defender Jo Weston was an important part of the Vixens’ win on Saturday night.
The Vixens were hesitant to use the goal defence, who was back in the squad on return from injury, but swung the needle during the second quarter – just when Georgie Horjus was beginning to take control of the Thunderbirds attack.
The Vixens unleashed Weston at a crucial point in the game, which ultimately led to the close contest going the way of the Melbourne side credit to the great combination of Weston and partner in crime, Emily Mannix.
Another important facet of the Vixens’ win was the use of the Suncorp Super Shot – ultimately cementing them the game despite the closeness of the contest.
This tactic also proved crucial for the Swifts, who got ahead of the Melbourne Mavericks early in their first official clash thanks to a monumental six from six Suncorp Super Shot effort off the hand of Helen Housby.
Despite Mavericks 50-gamer Gabby Sinclair mirroring that stat in the second half, it was too late for the Mavs to really assert themselves on the contest during a physical battle.
GIANTS AND MAVS NEED TO FIND THEIR FEEDERS EARLIER
Despite two very different round two matches, the GIANTS and Mavericks both sit at the bottom of the ladder with challenging sides up next week.
Despite each playing two strong quarters to work their way back into the contest, 10-goal and eight-goal deficits at the end of the first quarter forced both teams to play catch-up for the remainder of the match.
Unfortunately, the feeding load fell on the GIANTS and Mavs’ respective goal attacks in the opening quarter, forcing a wealth of work on their shoulders and also, at times, leaving two-on-one battles in the goal circle for easy pickings from opposition defenders.
The Mavs moved Maisie Nankivell into wing attack in the second quarter and immediately made use of her connection with Eleanor Cardwell. Nankivell started on the bench in both rounds so far, so will hope her team-topping 17 assists (32 feeds) this week will get her a starting opportunity next round.
Sophie Dwyer played her 50th national league game in round two.It’s a tougher task for the GIANTS, who are really missing the smooth movement of injured wing attack Maddie Hay and just can’t replicate her smarts on circle edge.
Teams will be taking a look at Firebirds defender Hulita Veve’s game on Chelsea Pitman, keeping the wing attack to just seven assists for the game – zero in the opening quarter – and forcing Sophie Dwyer to take control in the opening term.
Jamie-Lee Price was the saviour elsewhere, with nine to her name in the second quarter as the GIANTS worked their way back into the match, but it was not enough as the Firebirds retained control on home soil.
STATS WRAP
The top stats at the end of round two have a strong Fever flavour to them, with Fowler-Nembhard topping the charts for goals (133), attempts (136), offensive rebounds (11) and Nissan Net Points (283). Teammate Teague-Neeld leads the tally for goal assists with 62.
Two of Fowler-Nembhard’s Jamaican teammates are close behind in two categories, with Romelda Aiken-George close behind for rebounds with 10, and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey on 232.5 Nissan Net Points.
Sterling-Humphrey was a tough challenge as ever with six more intercepts in round two rounding her tally to 12 for the season, and ahead of the pack with 15 deflections. She is closely followed by teammate Latanya Wilson (12 deflections, eight intercepts).
Firebirds goal shooter Donnell Wallam was influential on her home court this week, sitting second to Fowler-Nembhard for goals (88) and attempts (101), while international stars Sophie Dwyer and Helen Housby top the tally for Suncorp Super Shots with 15 apiece.
Liz Watson has had no issue getting out for the centre pass in her new colours, topping the receives tally with 57 to her name so far and second for goal assists (47). Former teammate Mannix topped the defensive rebound tally with five to her name.
Dwyer and Sinclair also brought up their 50th national league caps in round two.
