Cutting off-court distractions key to Swifts success
The NSW Swifts have drawn plenty of attention for their ruthless performances this season, making a nice change from the off-court sagas that dogged their 2024 campaign.
Goal attack Helen Housby claims the calmer atmosphere in the team has made it much easier to play the fast attacking game causing problems for defences in 2025.
Goal shooter Sam Wallace parted ways with the Swifts halfway through last season due to "her behaviour within the team environment".
After three rounds NSW stand alone at the top of the Super Netball standings, and the only undefeated team are keen to extend that record against the Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday.
Housby said on Thursday the key is how well the new personnel have integrated in the squad and created a "tight knit family" firing on all cylinders.
"I think out of last year we're actually closer as a team now and we've bonded together," she told AAP.
"The personnel that we've brought in, all three of them (Sharni Lambden, Verity Simmons and Grace Nweke) have just slotted in perfectly."
"They're adding great things on the court, but they're also amazing people off the court, so we do just feel like a well-oiled machine at this point."
Adding Kiwi goal shooter Grace Nweke has revolutionised the Swifts' attack and allowed Housby to play a more distributive role.
Nweke sits second in the league scoring rankings and Housby occupies the same spot in the goal assists charts.
But Englishwoman Housby knows that her shooting is still crucial for NSW to continue their early success.
"I don't care who scores the goal, as long as it goes in and we're winning games."
"I've always got confidence in my shot that if I'm needed to put up shots, I'm going to put them up.
"Especially in that Super Shot time, I think that's kind of where I can make my difference."
Ugandan goaler and Firebirds recruit Mary Cholhok struggled in their loss to the Sunshine Coast Lightning last week, but Housby isn't expecting those issues to continue in Sydney.
"They'll definitely bounce back," Housby added.
"Similar to us they've recruited well and they've got Mary in that goal shooter role and she provides a really strong target for them.
"I think it could be a goalfest to be honest, and I can see it maybe coming down to some some Super Shots which should be pretty exciting."
A win for the Firebirds could see them overtake the Swifts at the top of the table, pending other weekend results.
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