The West Coast Fever and the Melbourne Vixens are the only two teams that are in a better position after two rounds in 2018 compared to 2017.
The Firebirds are in exactly the same position but five teams have started behind where they were at, at this stage of their first Super Netball season.
Much has already been said about the new bonus points ladder system, so let’s compare that to where the teams sat in 2017.
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2018
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2018 Compared to 2017
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POSITION
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TEAM
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PTS DIFF
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GOALS FOR
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GOALS AGST
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POS DIFF
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1
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Fever
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+12
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+40
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+9
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+7
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2
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GIANTS
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+5
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+1
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+5
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-1
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3
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Vixens
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+7
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+12
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-6
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+3
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4
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Firebirds
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+2
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+2
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+4
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0
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5
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Swifts
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0
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+8
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-14
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-3
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6
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Lightning
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-2
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-11
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-1
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-3
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7
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Magpies
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-1
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+6
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-19
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-2
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8
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Thunderbirds
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-4
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+4
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-40
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-1
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WEST COAST FEVER
After two rounds in 2017 the Fever were in last place and would have been on three points. This season they are currently on 15 points from a possible 16, are two from two with an authority never before seen from a Fever team. They have won seven of their eight quarters and have scored a massive 40 more goals (142 in 2018, 102 in 2017) and conceded nine less. Both are the most of any team. The Fever’s error rate has also had a huge turnaround. In 2017 the Fever had 62 turnovers against them but this season they have only turned the ball over 34 times.
GIANTS NETBALL
The Giants are tracking very nicely after the disappointment of last season’s Grand Final loss. They are two from two with six bonus points. For the second year running the Giants defence is the competition benchmark. They are only team to concede under 100 goals, with 99 goals against. This defensive effort is highlighted further by the fact that have eight more intercepts (11 in 2017, 19 in 2018) but they have also committed 29 more penalty contacts.
MELBOURNE VIXENS
The minor premiers from last season would have only been on five points in 2017 after two rounds and were sitting in sixth spot, whereas this season they are flying with two wins, four bonus points and are comfortable in third position. They have scored 12 more goals this season and have only missed six times – the best in the competition. The Vixens have got their hands to the opposition ball 12 more times this season (27 deflections in 2018, 15 in 2017). Their discipline has also been a highlight, giving away 109 penalties in 2018 compared to 134 last season.
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS
The Firebirds are in fourth spot after two rounds with one win and one loss, however they could easily be undefeated, considering they were five goals up early in the fourth quarter in Round One against the Swifts but eventually lost by a single goal. The Firebirds shooting duo of Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett – who are always major talking points – are shooting 7.6% better this season with 108 goals (two more than last season) from 128 attempts (10 less than last season). They have also taken 10 more intercepts in 2018, with 18. Laura Geitz has taken three intercepts in her single game, while Gabi Simpson and Tara Hinchcliffe lead the way for the Firebirds with four each.
NSW SWIFTS
The Swifts are on seven points this season, which is exactly where they would have been last season after two rounds, under the new scoring system. However their brand of netball this season is a highlight of the Suncorp Super Netball so far. An exciting one-point win against the Firebirds in Round One followed by a hard fight two-goal loss against the Vixens has the Swifts looking good for a much improved season in 2018. The Swifts are leading the competition in load-sharing between goal shooter and goal attack. Helen Housby at goal attack has scored 42% of the Swifts’ goals (48 of 115 goals). This is 14% better than any other team (Vixens are next at 28%).
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING
The reigning premiers are 0-2 in 2018 and have had the biggest drop in stats. The Lightning have scored 11 less goals, had 22 less attempts and conceded one additional goal. They have also taken nine less rebounds (offensive rebounds – three in 2018, nine in 2017. Defensive rebounds – four in 2018, seven in 2017). One shining light in 2018 is that the Lightning have deflected the ball 12 more times in 2018 (35 in 2018 and 23 in 2017). If some of those deflections can be turned into gains (intercepts or deflections followed by a pick-up) their fortunes will most definitely improve. Currently their gains are exactly the same between seasons with 26.
MAGPIES NETBALL
The Magpies are another team that is yet to win a game. A heartbreaking one goal loss in Round One was followed up with an 11-goal loss against the Fever in Perth, which is quickly becoming the toughest road trip in the competition. A surprising stat for the Magpies is they have conceded 40 less penalties this season (117 in 2018, 157 in 2017) with 101 contact penalties and 16 obstructions penalties. However this is still the most of any team. The Magpies have turned the ball over 42 times in 2018 compared to 61 last season.
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
The Thunderbirds are once again in a battle in every one of their games. They are yet to earn a point but are finishing off games strongly. In both games so far this season they have lost the fourth quarter by one goal. A positive for the Thunderbirds is they have scored four more goals (104 in 2018, 100 in 2017) and have taken two more intercepts. However a concern for the Thunderbirds is their defence. They have conceded 40 more goals, taken five less defensive rebounds and given away 41 more penalties (140 in 2018, 99 in 2017).
Written By: Christian Eshman
