We had a Queensland vs Victoria double header to get us started, the always enthralling NSW Derby and a 27-game losing streak snapped in Adelaide to close out the round.
As always, it’s time to look at the week to come with help from former Firebirds and Australian Diamonds captain Laura Geitz.
In true Geitzy fashion, this week we’re highlighting defensive units and how teams are trying to dictate games from the back-end.
Game 1 – Queensland Firebirds Vs Collingwood Magpies
Game 1 of the round will take place at the brand new Queensland State Netball Centre in Brisbane, and the Firebirds will be keen to open the new stadium with a bang.
It was a disappointing start to the season for Queensland, who were comprehensively beaten by the Vixens. At times they looked dangerous but too often they dropped off and allowed the opposition to walk over them.
They will have to put together a more consistent performance if they want to beat the Magpies, who put on a clinic against the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night.
Rob Wright’s new look Collingwood team has star power at every position and absolutely dominated the Lightning. The midcourt was fast and dynamic, Shimona Nelson was brilliant in attack and the Brandley / Mentor defensive combo looked almost impenetrable.
“The maturity of Mentor and Brandley and their match fitness and experience should prove invaluable for the Magpies this year,” Geitz said.
“Compare that to Kimmy (Kim Jenner) and Tars (Tara Hinchliffe), who are still so young, playing their first full game together last week and it could be a mismatch. I believe they are the future of the Australian defence, but they still have so much to learn.”
It’s a great match-up and one that should set the tone for both teams this seasons. Can the Firebirds, led by their young defence, bounce back from a disappointing round one loss in front of their home crowd? Or will the Magpies continue their impressive start and cement themselves as premiership favourites in 2019?
Game 2 – West Coast Fever Vs Sunshine Coast Lightning
The biggest game of the weekend has to be the 2018 Grand Final rematch between the West Coast Fever and the Sunshine Coast Lighting on Sunday.
With so many changes in the off-season, it was no surprise to see the Lightning struggle against the Magpies in Round 1.
And coach Taurua will have to sort out her lineup quick if they want to knock off a strong, but banged up, Fever side in Perth. But she’ll no doubt be confident in her defence, where South African duo Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni represent one of the most experienced tandems in world netball.
“I feel like Pretorius and Maweni played really well last week, despite the 14-goal loss. It’s a strong combination who know each other well and both attack the ball with confidence. They racked up 9-interceptions between them.”
This key match-up really hinges on the health of Fever captain Courtney Bruce and reigning MVP Jhaniele Fowler, who both went down with injuries in last week’s loss to the Thunderbirds.
Can the Fever get revenge after last year’s heart breaking Grand Final loss? Or will the Lightning return home with the bragging rights once again?
Game 3 – NSW Swifts Vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
Maybe the biggest story to come out of week one was the Thunderbirds dramatic 1-goal win over the Fever to snap a 27-game losing streak.
It was a thrilling game and one that saw the emergence of two new Suncorp Super Netball superstars – defenders Shamera Sterling and Layla Guscoth.
“I spent most of the weekend fan-girling over Shamera Sterling. I was like “Mate, it’s not fair! You’re not allowed to make it look so easy because it’s not.”
“This is a very ball-hungry Thunderbirds defence with two defenders who really typify that new style of super athletic defender who are so capable of winning the ball.”
But they’ll come up against a Swifts team full of confidence after knocking off the cross town rival GIANTS in Round 1. Led by captain Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley in the middle, the Swifts move the ball quickly and smoothly, never giving the opposition time to set up.
After tasting victory for the first time in 2-years, the Thunderbirds will be keen to prove it was no fluke. But the Swifts are a team on the rise, with a squad capable blowing any team off the court when they are firing.
Game 4 – Melbourne Vixens Vs GIANTS Netball
The final match-up of the week takes place on Sunday night as the GIANTS will be hoping to celebrate Kim Green’s 200th game with a win against the Vixens in Melbourne.
The Vixens were incredibly impressive all over the court against the Firebirds last weekend and will be looking to make it 2-from-2 against a GIANTS team who looked shaky against the Swifts in Round 1.
Melbourne’s defensive duo of Emily Mannix and Jo Weston completely shut down the Firebirds attack and will have to be at their best if they want to do the same against Caitlin Bassett and Jo Harten.
“Mannix had such a great game against the Firebirds and her and Jo (Weston) are going to be a pretty suffocating defence this year. And I think that’s a huge credit to Renae (Ingles) out in front of them.”
“This is a true Aussie Vs Aussie defensive match-up. All four players love the grind and love the physical style of defence, which has become a trademark of the Diamonds.”
Both teams come in to this game with potent attacking ends. Which of these defensive groups can stand up and grind out a win for their team?
