It’s all going to happen in Round 4 of Suncorp Super Netball – here’s what you’ve got to look forward to this weekend.
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES V SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
When: Sunday 20 May 1pm AEST
Where: Margaret Court Arena
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Netball Live App, Telstra TV
Who would have thought the Sunshine Coast Lightning would be 0-3 to start the season?
Fortune hasn’t favoured the defending champions, but they do have six bonus points in the bank, courtesy of the new rule that awards points for winning quarters.
Tough losses to Queensland and the Fever would be hard to swallow, but the Lightning has been in every contest.
Sharni Layton had her best game of the season for the Magpies against Adelaide and she will make scoring tough for the Lightning in this one. The Magpies only have one win out of three themselves, so this match looms as a must-win for both teams.
GIANTS NETBALL V QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
When: Saturday 19 May, 3pm
Where: Quaycentre
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Netball Live App, Telstra TV
A battle of two top-four sides, with plenty on the line.
At the end of this match, one team will be sitting towards the top of the table, while the other is likely to be bounced out of the top four altogether.
The Giants have been playing a tough brand of netball this season and were unlucky to suffer their first loss last weekend, with a late winner from NSW’s Sophie Garbin securing the local derby.
But the Firebirds have hit back in a big way after missing out on the finals last season, and have looked slick in their back-to-back wins. Expect plenty of fireworks in this one.
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS V MELBOURNE VIXENS
When: Sunday 20 May, 12pm AEST
Where: Priceline Stadium
Broadcast: Live on Nine (Adelaide only), Netball Live App, Telstra TV
How much has Adelaide learned from their match against Collingwood in Round 3?
For three quarters, the new-look Thunderbirds stuck with the Magpies, showing plenty of improvement from their previous two losses. But they allowed the game to get away from them in the final term, eventually losing by 20 goals.
As they chase their first win of the season, they will come up against a strong Melbourne Vixens side that suffered its first loss last weekend.
The Vixens will come out with plenty to prove in this one and Adelaide will need a four-quarter effort this time if they’re to get push the visitors.
WEST COAST FEVER V NSW SWIFTS
When: Sunday 20 May, 3pm AEST
Where: HBF Stadium
Broadcast: Live on GEM (Perth only), Netball Live App, Telstra TV
A battle between two teams that don’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit’.
The Fever were dominant in their opening two matches of the season but faced a much sterner task when they hit the road to play defending champions the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Yet still they found way to win at the death, keeping their unbeaten start rolling.
NSW have now won two of their three games in the dying moments – against Queensland and the Giants – so you know they’re going to be in this one for a long way.
