There are only three rounds of the regular season left. How has it gone so fast?
With places in the finals and pride on the line, now’s the time for individuals to rally their teammates for one last push before the season comes to an end.
Here are the key matchups for Round 12, a round that will see the entirety of the top four face off in Sydney, the Firebirds play their last home game and the Magpies fight for survival in Perth.
Game 1 – GIANTS Netball vs Sunshine Coast Lightning
In the three years the Suncorp Super Netball has existed, the GIANTS vs Lightning games have always carried weight. And this Saturday afternoon cracker is no exception.
The GIANTS are fourth and trying to put any hope of a fifth-placed Magpies miracle to bed. But they come up against a Sunshine Coast Lightning team that has won five straight and sits just three points back from the ladder-leading Swifts.
Can the GIANTS take one step closer to wrapping up a finals spot? Or will it be the Lightning sitting atop the ladder at 6pm this Saturday? Two players that will have a huge say in the eventual outcome will be Lightning dynamo Laura Scherian and GIANTS rookie Amy Parmenter, according to Laura Geitz.
“Both girls have had such great seasons so far and have been the consistent driving force you need in your midcourt if you’re going to play finals.”
“Shez has proven she can do it on the big stages, and she’s played her best games against strong opponents when it’s mattered most. But Amy has lowered the colours of almost every Wing Attack she’s played against this season and will be keen to add Laura to that list.”
Game 2 – NSW Swifts vs Melbourne Vixens
A massive game between two giants of the sport, this one has classic Swifts vs Vixens written all over it, with both clubs playing well and plenty on the line.
There will be some concerns in the Swifts camp, with the injury bug catching up on them and both the Lightning and Vixens playing excellent netball coming into the finals. But with so much talent up and down the court, the Swifts come into the match as favourites.
But the Vixens are flying and haven’t dropped a game since their Round 7 loss to the Magpies and will be buoyed by the return of goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda. But, according to Geitzy, the battle in the middle should determine the winner and Paige Hadley and Kate Moloney are two of the best.
“This is such a huge match-up between two of the hardest working and inspiring centres in the world, in Hadley and Moloney.”
“It’ll be such an even battle. Both are in the top five highest scoring Nissan Net Points players and both are in the top 10 for goal assists and feeds. Whichever of these two can have the biggest impact around the circle edge should come away with the win.”
Game 3 – Queensland Firebirds vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
Even though neither team can make finals, there is still plenty on the line for both the Queensland Firebirds and Adelaide Thunderbirds players, coaches and fans.
Despite having not recorded a win yet this season, Firebirds coach Rosalee Jenke should be applauded for at least making her team competitive considering the incredible bad luck they've had with injuries. And the Firebirds fans will be keen to show their appreciation for the last time at home this season.
The much-improved Thunderbirds would love to finish the 2019 season strong. They have clearly been the most improved side of 2019 and much of that is thanks to their excellent goal keeper Shamera Sterling, whose match-up with South African shooter Lenize Potgieter is Laura’s key one of the game.
“Shamera has been a revelation and has to be in the conversation for the MVP for the season, and for good reason! She’s the leader in Nissan Net Points, defensive rebounds, deflections and intercepts.”
“Her match-up against Lenize will be a lot of fun to watch because Potgieter is such a different player to play against. She uses her big body well but can also move around the circle to create separation as well.”
Game 4 – West Coast Fever vs Collingwood Magpies
Having managed just a loss and a draw since returning from the World Cup break, the finals equation is simple for the Magpies: beat the Fever, Swifts and Vixens and hope for some GIANTS losses.
And it all starts in Perth on Monday night against a Fever team that, after last week’s loss to the Vixens ruled them out of playing finals, has nothing to lose.
While both teams have some serious firepower at the shooter positions and some world class midcourters feeding them, it’s the battle between captains Courtney Bruce and Geva Mentor that Laura is most excited for.
“Both these girls are amazing players, undeniably two of the best goal keepers in the world. But they will need to really step up as leaders to win this game.”
“The Magpies have been inconsistent since returning and Geva needs to get them playing hard for four quarters if they want to make finals. And Courtney will be desperate to finish a disappointing season strong over the next three weeks.”
