By Stephanie Smarrelli
As we edge closer to the season's halfway mark, the bottom four teams are running out of time to make their mark.
While others, are scrambling to stay in touch with the ladder leaders.
The Swifts, is one of those sides which must win this weekend to maintain their position in the top four.
They've shown promise against the Mavericks and Firebirds but struggled against an undefeated Fever last week.
If they want to play finals, they'll need to beat the best of the best.
And Sunday's clash with the Melbourne Vixens will be their biggest test yet.
The Swifts will be tested against the Vixens this week.While the pressure is on the Swifts to prove they can walk the walk, will the sides in contention to steal their place on the ladder strike in Round 5?
SUNDAY’S DO-OR-DIE CLASH
The Melbourne Vixens are moving like a well-oiled machine every time they hit the court.
The defensive end of Emily Mannix, Jo Weston and Kate Eddy are in sync, the trio playing some of their best netball.
Wing defence Eddy was outstanding against Firebird Lara Dunkley last weekend, restricting her movement and picking up three intercepts.
While Weston was up and about collecting seven gains, the defensive trio’s form no doubt has the entire competition on notice including their next opponents.
Sunday afternoon two of netball’s biggest clubs are set to clash when the Vixens arrive in NSW to play the Swifts.
The Swifts are in the top four with two wins on the board but they’re yet to put out a convincing four quarter performance.
The ladder is perhaps more flattering than their first four matches have really been. The Vixens on the other hand are undefeated sitting second on the ladder in the shadow of an impressive West Coast Fever.
The Vixens defence was firing last weekend.If the Swifts hope to remain in the top four, they’ll need to win this weekend with the bottom four sides starting to gain momentum.
The Swifts have often relied on shooter Helen Housby to do the work in the circle and create opportunities for her teammates but the last two weeks she’s been restricted by exceptional defensive work. Last week only scoring three goals while on the court.
Coming up against an in-form Vixens defence, the Swifts will need to do everything in their power to free up Housby.
Down the other end of the court the Swifts defenders need to ensure they stay in play, the side has the most penalties of any team with 28 more than the Vixens.
The Vixens have been known to start well, winning every first quarter they’ve played in throughout 2024, while the Swifts have struggled to hit momentum early.
Although they’ve proven they can win games playing catch up netball, it’s not a position the Swifts will want to put themselves in when they come up against the Vixens who will put their foot down early.
The Swifts defeated the Vixens by a goal at this year's Suncorp Team Girls Cup.Sunday’s blockbuster between the two sides will close out the round and determine which teams head into Round 6 in prime position as the season’s halfway point draws nearer.
HOW THE REST OF ROUND 5 IS SHAPING UP
We’ve got a Friday night showdown on our hands to start the action this week with the West Coast Fever hosting the Queensland Firebirds.
The Firebirds might feel daunted heading to the west to face an undefeated Fever who are aiming to add another win to their belt.
But they shouldn’t be, having defeated this Fever lineup at the Suncorp Team Girls Cup.
The last time the Firebirds were in WA they were smashed by 34 goals but that was the Firebirds of 2023.
The Firebirds look much stronger in 2024. Their downfall thus far has been an inability to close out matches, something they still have time to fix.
On Saturday night the Melbourne Mavericks will have the opportunity to take on the reigning premiers.
The Mavericks fresh off their first ever win go up against the reigning premiers this weekend.With their first ever SSN win in the books and a home crowd backing them the Mavericks will be energised ahead of their clash with the Thunderbirds.
Following the clash in Melbourne, the GIANTS will have a good look at getting their season on track against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Hampered by injury in Round 4, the Lightning list for this weekend is yet to be known but there remains a question mark over a handful of players.
The GIANTS had a tough outing in Adelaide last weekend and as the only winless team they need to make the most of their opportunities against the Lightning.
