By Phina Newton
All eyes will be on the Sunny state this Sunday when the Sunshine Coast Lightning host the Melbourne Vixens in a must win clash for the home side.
Both teams are looking to cement a spot in the top four. For the Vixens, a win would set them three games clear of the Lightning who are at risk of being left behind if they don’t pull off a win this weekend.
The Vixens will enter the game full of confidence after beating the reigning champions the West Coast Fever at home last week.
While the Lightning are coming off a tough loss against the NSW Swifts, who are sitting comfortable at third on the ladder.
It’s unlikely that the top four will experience much change after this weekend, but looking ahead to finals this game could have an important role in deciding who claims that fourth spot.
The Vixens have a strong mid court and considering the Lightning are undermanned in this department, after it was confirmed that Shannon Eagland suffered an ACL tear, it will be up to the Vixens midcourt to really stamp their authority.
The court will be littered with Diamonds players, the Vixens ultimately boasting more experience with Kiera Austin, Kate Moloney, Liz Watson and Jo Weston, compared to the Lightning’s goalers in Steph Wood and Cara Koenen.
Both teams’ goalers play a similar style, so the game will likely be won on defence and in the mid court. Considering the Lightning are undermanned, Kadie-Ann Dehaney will have an important role as GK/GD and will shoulder extra pressure to prevent the ball getting to Austin and MJ.
At the other end, goalers Koenen and Wood will need to be on their A-game – when the power five starts Wood can’t afford to miss too many super shots, nailing those are key to keeping the Lightning in games.
REST OF THE ROUND
In another big showdown the West Coast Fever faces off against the NSW Swifts.
Although both teams appear to be safe in the top four, final placings are still important ahead of finals. The Fever will be eager to bounce back after their close loss to the Vixens, whereas the Swifts will be riding their high off last week’s win over the Lightning.
While it might be a case of top vs bottom, don’t count the Queensland Firebirds out. They’ve have a big job to do when they come up against the ladder leading Adelaide Thunderbirds, but there are some exciting prospects.
It will be interesting to see if Firebirds’ training partner Hulita Veve can build on her stand out game from last week, where she was subbed in to replace an injured Macy Gardner.
Coming off the back of her third PacificAus Sports Netball Series championship with Tonga, Veve is clearly brimming with confidence and if last week proved anything, it’s that she’s here to play.
In saying that, the Thunderbirds aren’t sitting on top of the ladder by chance, they are a menace on both offence and defence.
Led by Eleanor Cardwell in the shooting circle and Shamera Sterling in defence, the Firebirds will have their work cut out for them to keep the game close, let alone get up over the top team.
The GIANTS and Magpies should match up will on the weekend.
With both teams desperate for a win, there’s a high chance there will be a bit of feeling in this one.
It has been a rough season for the Magpies and it’s not going to get any easier this week against the GIANTS. Magpies’ defenders will need to be at the top of their game to stop Sophie Dwyer, particularly when the super shot buzzer sounds. They will breathe a sigh of relief knowing Jo Harten is sitting this game out.
This game will showcase some serious midcourt talent. The Magpies have plenty of energy from Molly Jovic and Kelsey Browne, but so do the GIANTS in Jamie-Lee Price and Amy Parmenter.
Considering both teams are strong in their goals, the game will likely be won in the midcourt, determined by who can protect the ball best and feed at the most efficient rate.
