Netball the "NSW Swifts way" is a beautifully uncomplicated shot of joy, and it might be the key to releasing all the pressure of toppling two-time defending champions the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Saturday’s major semi-final.
For when you ask a player what the “Swifts way” means, the answer is supported by four pillars that have little to do with success or failure on the Suncorp Super Netball scoreboard.
“We play with freedom, we play in the moment, we do what we love, and we do it with our mates,” said attacker Natalie Haythornthwaite, sounding more Australian every day.
It is a remarkably upbeat mantra for a team that finished second on the ladder and now has its best chance at a title since the 2016 grand final loss to the Queensland Firebirds.
There is no sense of the tension or anxiety typically associated with finals, and it’s that genuine enjoyment the side is harnessing in pursuit of a first title in 11 years.
“There is a lot at stake and we’re up for this amazing opportunity,” Haythornthwaite said.
“But it’s important to remember why we do this – because we love it.”
There was little joy in Haythornthwaite’s hard road back to the Swifts’ starting seven after she damaged her hamstring on the eve of the regular season.
While lauding the support she received from the club’s medical team, the qualified speech pathologist endured many frustrating weeks in the gym.
What was initially thought to be a four-week rehabilitation program took three months.
And forget taking out her angst in the weights room, just bending down to pick up a light dumbbell was often too difficult.
“Those first few weeks back in the gym were hard,” Haythornthwaite said. “I’m very independent but I’d never had a muscle tear before so I found that time really challenging.”
The England attacker found herself talking to her hamstrings during her comeback at the World Cup, urging them to get through each game without any setbacks.
They passed the test, and now Haythornthwaite is one of the cool heads orchestrating the Swifts attack end.
She made a tentative SSN return in the Round 11 loss at the Sunshine Coast before delivering authoritative performances in heavy traffic over the closing three rounds.
The 26-year-old will need to be at her artful best to break down the Lightning’s dominant back three – Maddy McAuliffe, Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni.
“They can change a game very quickly,” Haythornthwaite said.
