The Sunshine Coast Lightning and Adelaide Thunderbirds started the tournament, with the Lightning looking every bit the 2018 premiers in their 30 to 26 goal win.
The Lightning suffocated the Adelaide attack for much of the game, piling on the pressure through the midcourt thanks to returning star Laura Langman and exciting recruit Peace Proscovia.
But the Thunderbirds came back hard in the second half, thanks to 21-goals from shooter Sasha Glasgow.
There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a Magpies Netball fan, as their new look squad tore up the Queensland State Netball Centre court in game two against the West Coast Fever.
New recruits Kelsey Browne and Geva Mentor slotted seamlessly into their new team and ex-Thunderbirds shooter Shimona Nelson was a dominant figure up forward.
Fever captain Courtney Bruce was solid in defence and Kaylia Stanton was impressive in attack with 25-goals, but it wasn’t enough as the Magpies came away with a 40-28 goal win.
The NSW derby was a typically fierce contest for the first three quarters, but the NSW Swifts pulled away to seal a 47-33 win.
It will be hard to contain the Swifts in 2019 if Sam Wallace, Helen Housby and Sophie Garbin can continue to look as dangerous in attack as they were in their first hit-out together.
The Melbourne Vixens and hometown Queensland Firebirds had the responsibility of closing out session one and it was a true tale of two halves as the Vixens pulled away for massive 53-32 win.
Liz Watson proved why she was awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2018, commanding the Vixens midcourt and creating countless scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Despite the loss, there was plenty to like about the Firebirds as shooters Gretel Tippett and Romelda Aiken looked dangerous and Tara Hinchliffe confirmed why she is considered by many as the most exciting up and coming player in the sport.
Injury concerns for both the Adelaide Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts with Chelsea Pitman going down early with a suspected lower leg injury and Paige Hadley suffering a nasty head knock. Both were helped from the court and did not return.
Session two will get underway tomorrow at 11am local time with the NSW Swifts taking on the Magpies Netball, GIANTS Netball vs West Coast Fever, the Melbourne Vixens and the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Queensland Firebirds playing Sunshine Coast Lightning.
All remaining games can be streamed live through the Official Netball Live app and Telstra TV as well as Sunday’s Grand Final, which will also air live on Channel 9 at 1.30pm AEDST.
FINAL SCORES
Sunshine Coast Lightning 30 def Adelaide Thunderbirds 26
Magpies Netball 40 def West Coast Fever 28
NSW Swifts 47 def GIANTS Netball 33
Melbourne Vixens 53 def Queensland Firebirds 32
