By Matt Fotia
Fans in Launceston, the Sunshine Coast and Invercargill, on New Zealand’s south island, were treated to some high-quality netball to welcome in the month of February.
Catch all the fall out below.
Collingwood Magpies v Queensland Firebirds
Collingwood travelled to their home away from home, Tasmania, to take on the Queensland Firebirds in two matches at Launceston’s Silverdome.
Both sides came away from their Apple Isle sojourn with something to smile about with the Firebirds pinching a one goal come from behind win on Thursday before the Magpies won by a comfortable 14 goals on Friday to head into the weekend on a high note.
Magpies fans got their first look at Maddie Hinchliffe in black and white as coach Nicole Richardson mixed and matched combinations across the two games, giving minutes to training partners Zoe Davies, Casey Adamson and Montana Holmes.
Kelly Singleton also appeared for Collingwood replacing the recovering Nyah Allen to combine with Sophie Garbin who ran hot during the second quarter of Thursday’s encounter shooting five consecutive Suncorp Super Shots.
Firebirds faithful will be pleased with their performance across both games as Bec Bulley’s crew won three of four quarters on Thursday and put 22 past the Magpies defence in the third quarter on Friday.
Game One: Queensland Firebirds 66 defeated Collingwood Magpies 65
Q1 QF 20 CM 14
Q2 QF 32 CM 36
Q3 QF 48 CM 50
FT QF 66 CM 65
Game Two: Collingwood Magpies 70 defeated Queensland Firebirds 56
Q1 CM 17 QF 10
Q2 CM 37 QF 22
Q3 CM 52 QF 44
FT CM 70 QF 56
Sunshine Coast Lightning v GIANTS Netball
UniSC Arena played host to another high-quality pre-season match over the weekend as the Lightning and GIANTS played out a thriller in Sippy Downs.
The Lightning, under new coach Belinda Reynolds, produced a 19 goal to 10 last quarter to snatch a one goal victory over the GIANTS, 48-47.
Diamonds stars Cara Koenen and Steph Wood were the last quarter combination that helped pull the Lightning over the line in a game where they failed to win any of the first three quarters.
The home faithful did catch a glimpse of some new combinations as Ashleigh Ervin, Charlie Bell and training partners Ava Black and Martina Reekers were given precious time on court.
The GIANTS were without fan favourite Amy Parmenter, April Brandley and Jo Harten, whilst Jamie-Lee Price and Sophie Dwyer travelled with a squad that included all four training partners and the likes of Matisse Letherbarrow and Matilda McDonnell.
The two sides also played another – behind closed doors – encounter on Friday.
Sunshine Coast Lightning 48 defeated GIANTS Netball 47
Q1 SCL 10 GIA 16
Q2 SCL 20 GIA 28
Q3 SCL 29 GIA 37
FT SCL 48 GIA 47
NSW Swifts v Southern Steel
An undermanned NSW Swifts squad travelled to New Zealand’s South Island to take on ANZ Premiership side the Southern Steel on Sunday in what became a fantastic growth opportunity for a number of bright young Swifts.
The Swifts announced on Thursday afternoon that majority of their contracted players would not make the trip because of Covid-19, leaving Sophie Fawns as the only contracted Swift taking part in the pre-season trip.
Training partners Lili Gorman-Brown and Dakota Thomas were also part of a squad that included a number of academy products.
The young Swifts were beaten by 32 goals by the Steel, but will take a lot from the experience of playing against the likes of Kate Heffernan and co.
NSW face Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on Tuesday before returning to Australian shores.
NSW Swifts 42 defeated by Southern Steel 74
Q1 NSW 11 SS 74
Q2 NSW 23 SS 42
Q3 NSW 31 SS 63
FT NSW 42 SS 74
