Five things we learned: SSN Round 9

By Sophie Taylor

We expected some ladder movements during round nine, and that’s exactly what we got after a massive long weekend of Suncorp Super Netball action.

From blowout results to challenging battles, we run through five things we learned this week.

THUNDERBIRDS DID THEIR HOMEWORK

With the first clash between these two sides just three weeks ago, all eyes were on the Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever as they went head-to-head once more.

Expected to be a huge battle after the Thunderbirds went down by a solitary goal in Round 6, it became clear from the get-go that this match would not be a rinse and repeat of the last.

In fact, it became anything but.

The Thunderbirds’ intensity and flair was up from the very start, with the return of Georgie Horjus proving critical to the front-end.

Romelda Aiken-George proved the more potent of the two Jamaican goal shooters, with a massive 50-goal haul courtesy of the silver service from her Thunderbirds feeders.

The Fever threw everything they had at the Thunderbirds, but the workrate of defender Latanya Wilson made every forward foray a challenge.

The move of Alice Teague-Neeld into the goal circle was a surprise to many, and while that move did swing the momentum back the Fever’s way, the Thunderbirds did not take their foot off the pedal.

With 19 team gains to the Fever’s nine, the Thunderbirds’ pressure work both on and off the ball was immense and proved once again that there are chinks in the Fever’s armour – if only you can find it.

The 18-goal wins cements the Thunderbirds firmly in the top four, and unlikely to shift  while the Fever drop to second.

CAN THE LIGHTNING STAY IN THE FOUR?

The Sunshine Coast Lightning may have had a slower start to the season than expected, but they’re really starting to hit their straps now in an intriguing run to the finish.

With five rounds remaining, the question on the Lightning’s shoulders right now is whether their current form can last.

While the Lightning have an extra win on the board, their percentage leaves something to be desired.

They seem unlikely to move up on the ladder unless they can stop the Vixens, Fever and Thunderbirds from winning in the process.

Meanwhile, three teams are chomping at the bit in the bottom half of the ladder.

The pressure is well and truly on this Lightning side to hold onto that position and secure a finals berth.

The return of Courtney Bruce – on limited minutes – did wonders for the Lightning’s confidence over the weekend, as did the maiden Origin Diamonds callup to young gun Ash Ervin.

With the Lightning’s form continuing to ramp up, can they hold down that spot on the ladder and challenge the top three sides?

INCONSISTENCY KEEPING BOTTOM TEAMS IN THE LOOP

With three teams having effectively earned their finals berth already and another outperforming its early-season woes, a bout of inconsistency is going around the bottom four sides and stopping them from moving their way up the ladder.

While the Firebirds claimed a huge scalp last week, they came up against a hurting GIANTS outfit who fought hard to secure an important third win on the board.

It was a similar story for the Mavericks, who have had more than their fair share of woes in their short history, and despite a maiden home victory over the Swifts last week, it wasn’t to be against the Vixens and their 9000 strong crowd.

Apart from an opening round loss to the Lightning, the Swifts were one of the favourites heading into the second half of the season.

But three consecutive losses have sent them tumbling down the standings with only their percentage keeping them ahead of the Mavericks and GIANTS.

It seems like percentage will play a huge role in where the season goes from here, with the bottom four sides – and Lightning in fourth, to an extent – stealing wins off one another and allowing the top three to pull away.

With the Mavericks and Firebirds set to go head-to-head this week and one guaranteed to move up the ladder, only time will tell where their seasons go from here.

GOALERS PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS

This round saw a flurry of standout goaling moments, reminding fans that the defenders aren’t the only ones with a bit of flair.

Aiken-George proved critical in the Thunderbirds attack and pulled off two phenomenal layup goals to put further pain on the Fever.

Donnell Wallam put on her dancing shoes to not only keep a rebound in, but also sink a miraculous goal midway through the opening quarter.

Sophie Garbin was not to be outdone with an off-balance buzzer-beater, while Steph Wood was outstanding out the front for the Lightning, using her smarts to take the game on.

Sophie Dwyer, Kiera Austin and Gabby Sinclair all shot at a high accuracy from range, challenging their opponents during the Power Five and keeping their heads high in the process.

Mobile moving circles were tough to beat this round, with the likes of Dwyer and Jo Harten looking more like their 2023 selves and Cara Koenen and Wood’s shared load keeping the Swifts on their toes.

The combination of Austin and Garbin continues to sing, and it’s safe to say that their harmony plays a big role in the success of the Vixens this season, while the Thunderbirds had the luxury of giving minutes to all four of their goalers after Aiken-George’s enormous start.

STATS WRAP

It is to no-one’s surprise that Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard remains on top of the Nissan Net Points tally, with not even a Fever loss keeping her from holding that spot.

Fowler-Nembhard also remains on top of the goals scored and attempts tallies (494/514), with Australian goal shooters Wallam (378/440), Garbin (363/413) and Koenen (340/376) keeping close company.

Aiken-George rounds out that group, ranking fifth overall for goals and attempts, and retaining top spot for offensive rebounds in the process.

Despite another Swifts loss, Helen Housby’s willingness to shoot from range has not stopped. She is still leading for Suncorp Super Shots (53) and attempts (81).

With 35 successful shots to her name, Sinclair has been the most successful Suncorp Super Shot shooter with 71.9% accuracy from range.

A massive week from Wilson keeps the Sunshine Girl on top of the intercepts tally (33) ahead of teammate Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (28), while Sterling-Humphrey has a firm grip on the deflections leaderboard (62) and defensive rebounds (22), both marginally ahead of Ash Ervin.

Liz Watson has continued her stronghold through the midcourt, with 232 goal assists to her name to go with her 236 centre pass receives.