Five things we learned: SSN Round 8 

By Sophie Taylor

Eight rounds down, six to go, and the competition seems to be balancing on a knife’s edge once more. 

Teams which were expected to be a premiership threat are yet to make their move on the competition, while others have found their groove. 

These are the five things we learned during round eight. 

FEVER AND VIXENS GO A GAME CLEAR 

It probably comes as no surprise that Fever and Vixens still hold onto the top two positions on the ladder with just one loss apiece. 

The Fever have well and truly put the pedal to the metal this season but three close matches in a row have proved a major test for the team in green – especially now that only percentage separates the two sides. 

Both teams have significant shooting prowess under the post, and Vixens are continuously chipping away at the percentage deficit which has them in second on the ladder.  

This week, the heat is well and truly on the Fever as they shape up for another battle with the Thunderbirds – who only fell to the Fever by a single goal in round six. Three weeks later, can they get the job done?  

Meanwhile, the Vixens will go head-to-head with the Mavericks for a second time, with the new club boasting a newfound confidence and a very different lineup to their first outing way back in round one. 

Sitting two games clear of the Thunderbirds in third, next round will be the real tell of how the remainder of the season – and the battle for minor premier – shapes up. 

INJURY REPLACEMENTS GETTING A WORKOUT 

While previous seasons have seen relatively similar lineups run out week by week, the 2024 season has had injury replacements and 11th players taking the court on an almost weekly basis. 

Some, like Mavericks goal shooter Shimona Jok, have cemented themselves into starting lineups. 

Others have been in and out of teams through injury and have found some fighting form in the meantime – making things interesting given the closeness of the competition and the fight for starting positions as it is. 

Three late omissions set tongues wagging on the weekend, with goal shooters Jo Harten (GIANTS) and Sam Wallace-Joseph (Swifts) missing in action against their respective Melbourne opposition, and Georgie Horjus proving how important she is to the Thunderbirds’ success. 

The Firebirds missed the experience of Ravaillion but were more than convincing through the midcourt as the Thunderbirds struggled to move the ball without Horjus’ efficiency in attack. 

The GIANTS blooded the most experienced debutant of the round with Gina Crampton in for centre Jamie-Lee Price, and while Crampton added smarts in the attack, the side just could not replicate the defensive pressure Price brings through the centre court. 

YOUNG TALENT CONTINUES TO SHINE 

With injuries seemingly adding up and the 11th player option opening up selection opportunities for seven of the eight teams, more players than ever are getting their chance on the big stage – and having little issue adjusting to the level. 

But the new faces aren’t the only ones performing – young guns across the league have stepped up to the challenge and are having superb seasons all round. 

While Horjus missed round eight, there is no denying her influence in the competition. Factor in the form of teammate Tayla Williams, who continues to play out of her skin each week – though only got 15 minutes on the weekend – and the Thunderbirds have two of the top young prospects in the competition.  

GIANTS goal shooter Matisse Letherbarrow proved what she can do with a full 60 minutes on court, while Vixens wing attack Hannah Mundy continues to stand up when it counts. 

Lightning young guns Leesa Mi Mi and Ash Ervin continue to perform week on week, both playing out a full 60 minutes for the third week in a row.  

Mi Mi matched teammate Liz Watson for goal assists, seeing the Lightning offer a more balanced attack, as Ervin showcased her great elevation against Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, picking up five gains. 

Olivia Wilkinson continues to earn more court time for the Fever, with 21 minutes this round proving her ability to play through pressure situations, while Firebirds goal attack Emily Moore got the start over Tippah Dwan this week in an intriguing move for the side. 

WHO FINISHES FOURTH? 

Only two weeks ago, many would have thought the top four was well and truly locked in place. 

But the season continues to be unpredictable, with upsets occurring every week and no denying the closeness of the competition. 

Despite a huge loss to the Fever earlier in the season, the Lightning fought until the bitter end this round and only fell short by three goals – a stark contrast to the 25-goal drubbing of round two. 

Both the Firebirds and Mavericks got important wins on the board, with the Firebirds’ upset lifting them off the bottom of the ladder, while the Mavs have drawn even on points with the Lightning and Swifts and only percentage keeping them from the top four. 

And while the Firebirds and GIANTS sit in the bottom two, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for either of these teams to make the top four with six rounds remaining. 

Given the form of the top two sides and the relative consistency of the Thunderbirds, can we safely say that the top three won’t change in that time? 

Watch this space. 

STATS WRAP 

Watson remains on top for goal assists (203) and centre pass receives (209), leading in both categories as she continues to settle into her new colours.  

The only other Aussie to lead a category is Tilly McDonnell, taking top spot for defensive rebounds – alphabetically by default – ahead of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey. Both players sit on 16, followed closely by Remi Kamo (15). 

Jamaican talent continues to hold top spot in the remainder of the stats categories, with Fowler-Nembhard still top dog for Nissan Net Points (905.5), goals scored (453) and goal attempts (468).  

Romelda Aiken-George remains narrowly ahead of Sophie Garbin for offensive rebounds with 34 to her name. 

Sterling-Humphrey has 56 deflections to her name for the season, though Ervin continues to close in with 51 and showing no signs of slowing.  

Sterling-Humphrey sits second to in-form teammate Latanya Wilson for intercepts, with Wilson’s 29, 10 more than Emily Mannix in third. 

Despite the Swifts scoring woes, Helen Housby still sits top of the Suncorp Super Shot leaderboards, with 49 successful shots from 72 attempts.