Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies
Saturday 28 April 3.00pm
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Tickets
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
Let the league’s newest rivalry re-commence.
The battle of Melbourne will open the 2018 season, and Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said bragging rights will be on the line.
“Being the best team in Melbourne is the first step towards being the best team in the country,” she said.
“I know the Magpies desperately want to start the season with a win – and a win over us, in particular.”
Both teams will be hungry for redemption, after both qualified for last years post-season only to lose their respective semi-finals.
Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever
Sunday 29 April 12.30pm
Priceline Stadium, Adelaide
Tickets
Broadcast: Live on Nine (Adelaide only), 9Gem (Perth only), Telstra TV and Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever will be a chance for both teams to show last year is a distant memory, after both struggled for impact.
Five players – captain Leana de Bruin, Kaitlyn Bryce, Abigail Latu-Meafou, Bongi Msomi and Shimona Nelson – will make their debut for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
But despite Fever’s low finish in 2017, Thunderbirds coach Dan Ryan said they would be a different proposition this time around.
“They are going to be extremely hard to beat every single week this season and they’ve already been earmarked as a title contender,” he said.
“We know the challenge is a big one, but we love that, we are up for it and I know the players can’t wait to show everyone what we can do.”
GIANTS Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning
Sunday 29 April 1pm
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Tickets
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Telstra TV and Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
The grand final rematch will see the Giants coming out looking for redemption, after the Sunshine Coast made history in the inaugural grand final in 2017.
Giants captain Kim Green said that it still stings. Her team has retained the bulk of their roster, with Kiera Austin added to the squad.
Young gun Sarahpheinna Woulf will miss the start of the year for the Lightning, after injuring her ACL in the pre-season.
Lightning captain Geva Mentor said they knew they would be a target this year.
“Everyone will be after our scalp as reigning premiers but there are other teams that are a threat like Vixens and West Coast Fever with Jhaniele Fowler that will make it a really tough competition,” she said.
NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds
Sunday 29 April 3pm
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Tickets
Broadcast: Telstra TV and Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
The second match of a double-header at Sydney Qudos Bank Arena, with the traditional rivals to lock horns again.
The Swifts have retained their entire roster from 2017 and captain Abbey McCulloch has been pleased by what she has seen in the pre-season.
“Now we are chasing things down and pushing on in crucial moments,” she said.
“We are showing ourselves we can stay in the game for 60 minutes.”
The Firebirds have been bolstered by the return of veteran Laura Geitz, who made a strong return from having her first child at the Commonwealth Games. She will be joined by Mahalia Cassidy who missed last season with an ACL tear.
