The key takeaways from round nine

There are only five rounds left in the Suncorp Super Netball home and away season and the top four is looking more and more solidified every week. 

Two matches went down to the wire, highlighting which teams can absorb the pressure, the Suncorp Super Shot rewarded the risk takers, and one team’s depth will have the rest of the league on notice. 

Here are some of the talking points from round nine. 

Which teams can handle the heat? 

Round nine was fiery with two sides proving they can handle the pressure when their opposition is breathing down their necks. 

It was NSW Swifts shooter Helen Housby who once again stood tall in the dying minutes of a match, slotting the game-winning Suncorp Super Shot before teammate Romelda Aiken-George then sealed the deal with two one-point shots. 

The NSW Swifts were head-to-head with the West Coast Fever, the Fever were missing Jess Anstiss and Sasha Glasgow, however, their training partners debutant Jordan Cransberg and veteran Nat Butler were up for the challenge. 

With the Swifts defeating the Fever it leaves the reigning premiers with some work to do as the one-point loss is now their third of the season and becoming a worrying trend.  

While the Melbourne Vixens survived a last quarter 24-goal surge from the Sunshine Coast Lightning. 
 
The Vixens hitting replay on the previous weekend with Kiera Austin slotting the match winner with a Suncorp Super Shot.   

As the race towards finals continues the Swifts and Vixens ability to get the job done when it matters most will give them confidence in finals if both teams continue to hold their top four positions in coming weeks.  

The Lightning recovered from a very slow six-goal start but proved they’re not afraid to chase a deficit with Steph Wood scoring five last quarter Suncorp Super Shots to get them back in it. 

Thunderbirds highlight their depth 

In a battle of the birds celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Thunderbirds 2013 premiership, it was the Thunderbirds that prevailed again against the Queensland Firebirds.  

However, the Thunderbirds faced multiple curveballs throughout the match with goaler Tippah Dwan rolling her ankle early, before Eleanor Cardwell then spent almost two quarters on the bench managing her own injury before returning to the court. Latanya Wilson suffered a cramp; Hannah Petty injured her quad and there was also some concern for Shamera Sterling who appeared injured early but was able to shake it off and play out the match. 

With Dwan and Cardwell spending a significant amount of time off the court, talented midcourter Georgie Horjus made the most of the opportunity reminding everyone of her shooting prowess and ability to open up a goal circle. While Lucy Austin shot at 90 per cent accuracy, the most accurate shooter on the court that evening only missing two goals.  

Having to manage the different injuries, head coach Tania Obst utilised the entire bench against the Queensland Firebirds. The visitors stuck with the Thunderbirds for most of the match, however, the Thunderbirds’ defence stepped up another notch in the final quarter following Cardwell’s return to the court late in the third. 

The depth of the Thunderbirds proved crucial to them staying in control with a blitzing final quarter allowing them to breakaway and win by 17 goals.  

They next take on an in-form Melbourne Vixens who are undefeated at home. Thunderbirds fans might be worried about injuries after their latest clash, with a few players under an injury cloud. However, if the weekend proved anything it’s that they have depth to compete and faith in each other to perform regardless of who is on the court.  

Super Shooters Steal Show 

The Suncorp Super Shot shone on Sunday afternoon, with the sides who are confident in their long-range skills rewarded for taking the risky shots.  

The GIANTS kept their season alive and slotted 10 in their win against the Collingwood Magpies with Sophie Dwyer and Matisse Letherbarrow splitting the load between them. 

While Kiera Austin made it two in a row, slotting another match-winning shot. While Helen Housby set the Swifts up for their win in the dying minutes of Saturday’s clash against the Fever with a Suncorp Super Shot as well. 

The Sunshine Coast Lightning just fell short against the Vixens, however, won the final quarter convincingly with Steph Wood sinking five long-range shots. There was immense pressure on Wood to nail the shots as the clock ran down and although she was up to the task, it's a dangerous game to play and not a tactic the Lightning should count on to get back into matches.