How this weekend is about more than netball

By Stephanie Smarrelli

While there will be must watch blockbusters playing out on the court this weekend, round eight of the Suncorp Super Netball is about more than sport. 

It will mark the league’s inaugural inclusion round, for which each club has chosen a cause that they want to champion, while celebrating the underlying theme that netball is a sport for everyone.  

The headline match of the round will take place on Sunday at John Cain Arena when the Melbourne Vixens play host to the reigning premiers, the West Coast Fever. 

The two sides have chosen three communities they want to champion including the LGBTIQ+ community, the CaLD (culturally and linguistically diverse) community, and people with a disability.  

On the court, the rivalry between the Vixens and Fever continues to brew. 

While the Fever may have gotten the upper hand in round one this season, the pair are both looking to cement their spot as true finals contenders in 2023. This weekend will mark the last opportunity in the home and away rounds to see how they match up against each other and test which combinations could be the key to victory. 

Both clubs will enter JCA off the back of wins last weekend, but it will be the Vixens who will enter the game as underdogs, despite having the home crowd advantage. 

In round one the Vixens were ruing a slow start against the Fever. Start like that again and the Fever will make them pay. 

We all know if the Vixens can slow Fever’s attack end and the path to Jhaniele Fowler, they can certainly topple the visitors.  

Former Fever defender Olivia Lewis has plenty of experience training on Fowler and has looked strong in defence when coming up against her in previous matches. After picking up two gains in round one she has the potential to be even more disruptive in round eight. She’ll enter the game in good form after playing a monster of a match last weekend against the Firebirds tallying up seven gains.  

Flying slightly under the radar but leading the way for goal assists is Alice Teague-Neeld. Her drives to the circle edge will need to be cut off if the Vixens are going to be able to prevent the Fever from an easy passage to Fowler. 

While Verity Simmons and Jess Anstiss will have the tough task of preventing Vixen and Origin Diamond Liz Watson from running the show. The leadership Watson shows on court alongside Kate Moloney lifts the Vixens when they’re in a slump and will be crucial throughout the match.  

And the defensive duo of Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang will need to be out hunting if they’re going to stand a chance of stopping Mwai Kumwenda and Kiera Austin in the goal circle. 

A key takeaway heading into the match is also that the Vixens are undefeated at home so far this season. So, can they keep up that unblemished run? 

You won’t want to miss a second of the action this weekend. 

NOW OR NEVER 

It’s now or never for the Collingwood Magpies and Queensland Firebirds.  

Taking part in inclusion round the teams have aligned to deliver their annual Pride Match.  

The two sides are dwelling at the bottom of the ladder and falling swiftly out of contention for finals. They’re technically only a couple of wins behind the top four, however, in a competition as tight as Suncorp Super Netball their inability to perform in the first half of the season is going to be tricky to overcome without putting another win on the board this weekend.  

While the GIANTS are the only team to have defeated the Adelaide Thunderbirds so far this season. Can the GIANTS make it two from two or will the Thunderbirds put their foot down and further prove that they’re premiership contenders?  

With the GIANTS hosting the clash they’ve chosen to work with LGBTIQ+ group Proud2Play while the Thunderbirds decided to celebrate their inclusive initiative through their Multicultural Round last weekend.  

To round out a blockbuster weekend of netball the NSW Swifts will host the Sunshine Coast Lightning.  

The Swifts and Lightning clash will also celebrate pride with the Swifts having worked with Proud2Play ahead of the match.  

The last time the pair met it was a thrilling finish thanks to the always composed Helen Housby who confidently slotted a Super Shot in the final moments of the match. The Lightning will be out for revenge this weekend while the Swifts are searching for their fourth consecutive win. 

Learn more about the league’s inaugural Inclusion Round here.