Adelaide Thunderbirds v GIANTS Netball
Saturday 5 May 2.30pm
Priceline Stadium
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
After making it throught the GIANTS’ opening win against the Sunshine Coast Lightning unscathed, captain Kim Green is eager to have even more of an impact this week against Adelaide. Green is returning from a knee reconstruction and send waves of fear through the Qudos Bank Arena crowd when she fell heavily against the Lightning, but he was straight to her feet and is ready to go for round 2.
Adelaide suffered a heavy loss to West Coast in round 1, but GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald said they would not be taking them lightly.
“I’m very respectful of the fact the Thunderbirds scored 56 goals, that would win a lot of games,” she said.
“They have a lot of very talented players and their combinations will continue to grow each week so they will be quite a threat.”
West Coast Fever v Collingwood Magpies
Saturday 5 May 7.00pm
Perth Arena
Broadcast: Live on GEM (Perth only), Telstra TV, Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
West Coast Fever unearthed a genuine superstar in round 1, with star recruit Jhaniele Fowler ruling the goal circle.
The Jamaican powerhouse drained 66 goals – a Suncorp Super Netball record – in the club’s 74-56 over Adelaide.
Stopping her may be a challenge for Collingwood, but they can cut off the service her teammates provide. Against Adelaide, goal attack Natalie Medhurst scored just five goals as Fowler became the focal point.
Collingwood will be hoping to disrupt that, bring Medhurst into the game and reduce the impact Fowler has. Fever will be hoping that Collingwood fail in that endeavour.
“She (Fowler) is going to score a large bulk of the goals and that’s why we got her, that’s what she does, that’s her job and she delivers on that beautifully,” Medhurst said.
“Our job is to make sure that we supply the ball well, that we’re executing our feeds into her to make her job a lot easier.”
Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning
Sunday 6 May 1.00pm
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Broadcast: Live on Nine, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
The all-Queensland derby will have plenty of spice, with both clubs looking to rebound from tough opening round losses.
Sunshine Coast were well in the contest against the GIANTS at the three quarter mark, before being out-classed in the final term. And Queensland were pacing the NSW Swifts by as many as eight goals in the third quarter before ultimately losing on the final siren.
That match marked the return of former skipper Laura Geitz, who took last season off following the birth of her first child. But the tough defender will miss this clash with a back injury.
“It’s disappointing she’s not available for this weekend at our first home game of the season against Lightning,” coach Roselee Jencke said.
“Everyone has to do their job and play their role – a concerted effort from every player as a team is what I want from the girls.”
Melbourne Vixens v NSW Swifts
Sunday 6 May 3.00pm
Margaret Court Arena
Broadcast: Telstra TV, Netball Live App
On Demand Catch Up: 9Now, Telstra TV, Netball Live App
Both sides claimed thrilling wins to open the Suncorp Super Netball season, but one club will be talking away from this one disappointed.
It shapes up to be a classic clash between the Vixens and the Swifts, although Vixens coach Simone McKinnis admitted it was hard to get a read on their opposition after the Swifts rotated through 10 players in their round 1 win over the Firebirds.
“In their match last weekend they made quite a few changes,” she said.
“They’ve got good solid players and they’ve got the ability to mix it up which I think is a strength of theirs so we’ve got to be smart and adaptable to any changes that are going out on court.”
