By Stephanie Smarrelli
This weekend’s Suncorp Super Netball fixture is stacked with clashes between state rivals as teams look to build on last week’s tantalising start or bank their first win.
Here’s what to look forward to this weekend, including the one clash you cannot miss.
QUEENSLAND SHOWDOWN
Queenslanders will have to pick a side this week as the Battle of the Bruce between the Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning takes hold of Nissan Arena.
When the teams last met in round 11 of 2022, it was the Sunshine Coast Lightning who came away with the victory by 21 goals. The Firebirds will do everything in their power to ensure history isn’t repeated when the sides meet Saturday evening.
Both teams have new head coaches with former West Coast Fever Assistant Coach Belinda Reynolds taking the reins on the Sunny Coast while former NSW Swifts Assistant Coach Bec Bulley is back in Queensland Firebirds colours.
Coming off the back of a loss last week, Bulley and her team will be hungry to get a win on the board with the Firebirds fading out of last weekend’s match with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. While the Lightning will be preparing to strike again having defeated the GIANTS by a convincing 16 goals.
Keep your eyes on the match-up between Firebirds shooter Donnell Wallam and Lightning goal keeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney.
Dehaney was a standout for the Lightning during round one.Dehaney had a blistering start to the season in round one with eight gains and 10 deflections while Wallam led the charge in the Firebirds’ attack scoring at 83 per cent.
Firebirds duo Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Remi Kamo will have a challenge on their hands with the two reunited Brisbane North Cougars teammates set to go up against Sunshine Coast Lightning and Origin Australian Diamonds’ shooting duo Steph Wood and Cara Koenen.
The formidable and slick movement of Lightning’s attack will be tested by Kamo and Bakewell-Doran who last weekend came away with six gains apiece.
A midcourt battle is also on the horizon with Firebirds workhorse Gabi Simpson and Lightning’s Annie Miller to go head-to-head.
Simpson’s shut down defensive style is one of the best in the league and will be key to disrupting the flow of the Lightning when they meet on Saturday.
Gabi Simpson will be significant in defence for the Firebirds this weekend.Miller was instrumental for the Lightning in round one with 43 feeds, her speed and agility will be tested against Simpson.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
The rest of the round will feature the Adelaide Thunderbirds who sit atop the ladder after round one up against the NSW Swifts who will be looking to rebound following a disappointing performance against Collingwood.
Sunday will showcase the GIANTS at home against the West Coast Fever. The GIANTS will be hoping for the possible return of Jo Harten to spark a better performance than last week while the Fever will be looking to string together another win.
The highly anticipated Melbourne Derby will close out the weekend of netball.
The Collingwood Magpies will host the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena.
The Pies will be looking for their second consecutive win while the Vixens will have their sights set on banking their first victory of the year after a nail-biting loss to the Fever last week.
