By Matt Fotia
West Coast Fever International Fran Williams is becoming an advocate for the Suncorp Super Shot, just 10 games into her SSN career.
Williams, who signed for the Fever following a Netball Super League title with the Loughborough Lightning and a silver medal with England at the 2023 Netball World Cup, said her perception of the Suncorp Super Shot had changed drastically since landing on Australian shores.
I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Williams after the Fever’s 78-71 win over the NSW Swifts.
“I came over from England only hearing bad things about the Super Shot and thinking ‘what is this silly little rule’.
“I’ve gotten here, and I’ve fully embraced it, and I’ve loved it.”
Sunday’s win over the Swifts was heavily impacted by the Super Shot, with the Swifts attempting 26 across the course of the game and nailing 18, to cut down the final margin significantly.
Helen Housby sank 7 Super Shots from 10 attempts against the FeverThe Swifts’ success from long range bucked a recent trend for the Fever’s defensive unit, who have steadily improved their ability to cut off access to the Super Shot this season.
In the first five rounds of the season, they allowed 83 two-point attempts, but have cut that number down by over 30% since then, conceding just 55 shots from Round 6 to Round 9.
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Swifts – who have attempted the most Super Shots in 2024 – the Fever had yielded just 29 two-point attempts in four games, with less than half of those attempts successful.
By comparison, 59% of two-point shots they allowed in the first five games were successful.
Williams, who has represented her country on more than 40 occasions, believes that the Super Shot and the Power Five have added a new layer to the game, one she thoroughly enjoys.
“It adds a whole new tactical challenge to the game for us as defenders,” Williams stated.
“It’s what you’re faced with, so you’ve got to get on with it and be the team that comes out on top with a structure to beat it.
“When you come up against different opposition each week, everyone utilises it differently, you therefore want to defend it differently.
“It only makes the game more exciting for us as defenders to add another element to our structures and our gameplans.”
The Fever are currently second on the SSN ladder, a game behind the Melbourne Vixens, who they face in Round 13 at John Cain Arena.
They take on the Queensland Firebirds at the Nissan Arena this Saturday.
