A landmark moment for netball

By Stephanie Smarrelli

When the Collingwood Magpies and Sunshine Coast Lightning meet on Tuesday it will mark a momentous occasion for the sport. 

When the two sides step onto the court at John Cain Arena they will reflect on a history much bigger than sport as the league joins the nation in a day of commemoration.  

The Magpies and Lightning head into the clash fresh off a loss and will be hungry for the win both sitting in the bottom half of the ladder. 

Both teams are defensively strong with Magpies’ defender Jodi-Ann Ward leading the league for intercepts so far this season. And she’s aided by the experience of Geva Mentor. 

While Kadie-Ann Dehaney will test the Magpies’ attack end, currently second in the league for intercepts behind Ward and having one of her best seasons to date. Dehaney paired with the smarts of Karla Pretorius is a menacing combination especially with the Magpies struggling to get the ball into the goal circle frequently enough last weekend.  
 
The Magpies were only able to convert 36 per cent of their gains to goals in round five while the Lightning converted 100 per cent. The ability to score from gains is going to be a key factor when the two sides meet on Tuesday. 

For the Lightning the pressure to shoot falls on the experienced shoulders of Cara Koenen and Steph Wood, their connection has looked slicker than ever so far this season and will be difficult for Collingwood to stop. For the Magpies Shimona Nelson and Sophie Garbin will be in the shooting spotlight as will Kelly Singleton who was injected onto the court twice last weekend.  
 
Another tussle to keep an eye on will be Annie Miller against Ash Brazill. The Lightning’s Miller had an impressive 43 feeds into the goal circle last weekend and the Lightning have looked most damaging when she’s been at her best, however, Brazill is a workhorse in defence and will be focused on shutting down the Lightning’s midcourt.  

While the Lightning’s Mahalia Cassidy will need to halt Kelsey Browne who was a standout for the Magpies in round five, finishing with 40 feeds to her name.  
 
With both sides heading into the round with only two wins each, if they want to stay in the mix for finals this season, they’ll need to step up over the next few weeks and Anzac Day could be the perfect catalyst if they’re able to get the win. 
 

SPINE-TINGLING MATCH UPS 
 
Round six will begin Saturday night with the NSW Swifts playing host to the Melbourne Vixens to draw first blood in the annual state versus state battle for the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup. The Vixens will be determined to bounce back from a disappointing performance in round five while the Swifts will be looking to win their second in a row. 

The Queensland Firebirds will be spurred on by the support of their home crowd against the GIANTS on Sunday. Yet to get a win in 2023, the Firebirds will take some confidence into the match having only narrowly fallen short to the reigning premiers last weekend, while the GIANTS will be on the march for a third victory. 

 
Following the Firebirds and GIANTS will be one of the season’s most anticipated matches with the West Coast Fever set to square up against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.  

The Thunderbirds had a blistering win over the Melbourne Vixens last week while the Fever continued their undefeated streak. The match promises to be intense with England Rose Eleanor Cardwell to come up against Origin Diamond Courtney Bruce and Jamaican teammates Shamera Sterling and Jhaniele Fowler to go head-to-head.