Swift action paves way for stunning super comeback win

The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena.
The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash.
A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale.
There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes.
Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer.
Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores.
Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts.
Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts.
The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record.
"I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win.
"Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us.
"But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half."
Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win.
"It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said.
The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match.
Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits.
Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat.
The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term.
The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena.
The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash.
A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale.
There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes.
Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer.
Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores.
Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts.
Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts.
The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record.
"I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win.
"Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us.
"But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half."
Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win.
"It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said.
The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match.
Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits.
Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat.
The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term.
The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena.
The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash.
A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale.
There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes.
Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer.
Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores.
Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts.
Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts.
The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record.
"I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win.
"Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us.
"But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half."
Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win.
"It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said.
The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match.
Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits.
Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat.
The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term.

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Comeback Crows sink Brisbane in AFL thriller

The Advertiser

3 hours ago

The Advertiser

Comeback Crows sink Brisbane in AFL thriller

Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full.