Now that is how you quiet the doubters.
After a disappointing Major Semi-Final performance against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the Swifts bounced back in the most emphatic way possible – with a comprehensive 13-goal win over the Melbourne Vixens.
They were ruthless in defence, stopping a Vixens team that put up 62-goals against Collingwood a week before, and relentless in attack, slicing through the Melbourne defence with clinical precision.
It was the Swifts team we have grown accustomed to seeing this season, oozing confidence and blowing the opposition away.
The Lightning are a completely different beast and, after knocking off the Swifts all three times this season, they know exactly what they need to do to get the job done in Sunday’s big game.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the matchups we can look forward to this weekend and find out which one Laura Geitz believes could decide the outcome of the 2019 Grand Final.
Key Matchup – Phumza Maweni/Karla Pretorius vs Sam Wallace/Helen Housby
This is a game with so many intriguing matchups up and down the court.
Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau were spectacular in the Preliminary-final and their battle against the highest scoring offence this season should be a big one.
The Laura Langman led Lightning midcourt has been unstoppable this season, but this new Swifts midcourt combination of Paige Hadley, Katrina Rore and Nat Haythornthwaite are coming off their best game together and is gelling at the right time.
But the key matchup of the game will be between both teams’ biggest strength – The Lightning’s impenetrable defence and the Swifts ultra-dynamic shooters.
“What a treat. Two of the best shooters in the world going up against a defensive combination that hasn’t given up more than 60-goals since Round 10.”
“That midcourt battle will be amazing, and the young Swifts defenders have a lot to prove after a disappointing Semi-final. But this is where the match should be decided.”
“Karla and Phumza have had the edge over the Swifts shooters this year, holding them to just 48, 48 and 57-goals in the three games they’ve played against each other this year.”
“But Sam Wallace just played her best game of the season and Housby looks like she’s almost back to full strength after her calf injury.”
“So much of the Lightning game plan relies on creating momentum off defensive effort and pouncing on any mistakes. If the Swifts can minimise the mistakes around their goal circle and keep the score board pressure on the Lightning, I think this game could be a nail-biter!
