Now or never Round 10 ahead

By Matt Fotia 

It’s time to bounce back. 

The last weekend of netball produced some big results leaving a handful of Suncorp Super Netball sides in a state of confusion, and with some big questions to answer if they’re to get their season back on track. 

And while we approach the pointy end of the season, there's still time. 

Round 10 will provide them the opportunity to bounce back, and in a big way. 

TIME TO GET BACK ON TRACK 

Round 10 finishes over in the west, with the West Coast Fever playing host to the NSW Swifts at RAC Arena in a pivotal clash for both sides. 

The Swifts showed signs they were getting back to their Team Girls Cup winning best in their Round 9 loss to the Lightning, particularly in the fourth quarter where they stormed home to give the Sunshine Coast residents a right old scare, but alas failed to claim victory for the third week running. 

They were buoyed by the return of Maddy Proud, who didn’t miss a beat in her first game back, racking up 42 feeds, 29 assists and 119.5 Nissan Net Points in the two-goal loss, adding some more drive to the Swifts midcourt alongside Paige Hadley. 

The form of Proud isn’t the only thing that will give the Swifts a boost heading into this weekend. 

They’ll take confidence from their last performance at RAC Arena back in Round 9 2023, where they knocked off the home side by one goal, coming from behind late to steal the victory and set up the back half of their season. 

Helen Housby was the instigator of that victory, nailing 10 Super Shots in a typical Housby masterclass. Swifts fans will be keen to see Housby return to that form on Sunday as they try and reignite their campaign. 

Their hosts, by their own admission, were well below their best against the Thunderbirds in Round 9, struggling to keep their hands on the ball and create scores.  

The Fever had just 42% possession and 247 Nissan Net Points between them on Saturday night and gave up 23 turnovers, with their connection in the attacking third clearly a worry for coach Dan Ryan. 

Ryan rotated Jamaican international Shanice Beckford, youngster Olivia Wilkinson and his usual wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld through the goal attack position throughout the latter stages of the loss. 

It will be interesting to see who will get the nod to partner Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard against the Swifts as the green machine look to iron out their connectivity issues. 

Fever fans will take some solace from the fact that the top three sides have all bounced back strongly from defeat this season and their 16-goal defeat of the Swifts in Round 4 but will be anxious to jump back on the winners list, with the Thunderbirds starting to peer over their shoulder. 

THE REST OF ROUND 10 

Round 10 begins at Ken Rosewall Arena as the GIANTS host the Thunderbirds, with both teams coming off important wins in Round 9. 

GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald says she has full confidence in her sides ability to continue to improve as the season progresses and a win over this weekend would certainly back her up. 

The return of Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price was crucial for the GIANTS last weekend, but the presence of Maddie Hay in the starting line up has been just as important.  

Off-season surgery delayed Hay’s start to 2024, but she has been a key cog in the GIANTS recent uptick in form, averaging 29.7 feeds and 15.7 assists across her three games this season and was particularly impressive in her first full game last weekend against the Firebirds. 

The GIANTS also expect Matilda McDonnell to be available for selection after missing last weekend. 

They’ll have to be at their best to beat the Thunderbirds though. 

The 2023 premiers bounced back from their shock loss to the Firebirds in Round 8 with a comprehensive victory over the Fever at a packed Adelaide Entertainment Centre last weekend in a timely reminder of their abilities. 

Newly minted Diamonds squad member Georgie Horjus showed her importance, marking her return with 35 feeds and 97.5 Nissan Net Points, combining well with Tayla Williams who starred with 32 feeds and 126.5 Nissan Net Points of her own. 

Then on Saturday night Liz Watson will welcome her former Vixens teammates to UniSC Arena in the only top four clash of the weekend. 

The Lightning are the only side to beat the Vixens in 2024 and are back at full strength with Courtney Bruce and Ava Black returning against the Swifts.  

With Bruce, Ervin and Hinchliffe in the circle, the Lightning may have the ability to quash the dominant Garbin-Austin partnership which has been destroying opposition defences over the past fortnight. 

Garbin has shot 102 goals in her past two outings (51 and 51) whilst Kiera Austin was simply irresistible in her player of the match performance against the Mavericks. 

The Vixens will be sweating on the fitness of Rudi Ellis.  

If Ellis is unable to play this weekend, they’ll likely have to move Jo Weston back into goal defence and name either Gabrielle Coffey or Sharni Lambden in wing defence, setting them the unenviable task of keeping Liz Watson quiet. 

Sunday afternoon netball starts off with the Mavericks hosting the Firebirds in a must win game if they’re to play finals in 2024. 

The Mavericks will be disappointed with the way they trailed off against the Vixens, failing to score more than 15 goals in any of the last three quarters. They also gave up 29 turnovers (19 unforced) and conceded 82 penalties. 

They’ll be looking to repeat the dosage from their earlier win over the Firebirds, where they were clinical early in the match to set up a strong victory. 

 It won’t be easy for the Mavericks though.  

The Firebirds showed plenty in their loss to the GIANTS, but just couldn’t maintain the rage for long enough. They’ll be looking to provide more attacking support to Donnell Wallam who, despite scoring 378 goals in 2024, cannot do it all herself when it comes to hitting the scoreboard for the cellar dwelling Firebirds.