Swifts digest horror show as Fever lock in grand final
NSW were simply no match for the minor premiers, trailing 46-20 at halftime en route to the embarrassing 32-goal loss.
Sunday's result means the second-placed Swifts will now need to lick their wounds and defeat the Melbourne Vixens in next weekend's home preliminary final to stay in the title hunt.
The Vixens secured their preliminary final spot with a 58-56 win over two-time defending champions Adelaide in the minor semi-final.
West Coast, who are on a Super Netball record 13-match winning streak, have now qualified for the August 2 grand final in Melbourne.
The Swifts made a perfect 8-0 start to the season but have lost five of their past seven games since then.
Their loss to the Fever was the worst of the lot, with star goal shooter Grace Nweke simply devoid of confidence as Fever defender Sunday Aryang ran riot with seven gains and two intercepts.
Nweke finished with just 23 goals from 28 attempts, and the star NZ shooter committed a whopping nine turnovers in a performance that resulted in her benching.
But Swifts defender Maddy Turner is urging her teammates to keep their heads high, pointing out how NSW were thumped 58-48 by Sunshine Coast in the 2019 major semi-final before rebounding to win the title.
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ABC News
23 minutes ago
- ABC News
Calls for more racing to address Mount Panorama speeding problem
As one of the most revered racetracks in the world, Mount Panorama-Wahluu is no stranger to speeds in excess of 300 kilometres per hour. But when the country's best drivers are not tackling the track made famous by the Bathurst 1000, it is a public road where increasing numbers of drivers are being caught speeding. According to NSW Police, since the beginning of the year there have been 111 speeding offences on the mountain, 11 of which involved drivers more than 45kph over the 60kph speed limit. Almost 100 of those incidents occurred on Conrod Straight, with a provisional driver caught doing 128kph earlier this month. In May, a learner driver was detected allegedly travelling at 149kph at the same location. "Despite its racing heritage, the rules apply just like they do anywhere else," Acting Inspector Jason Marks said. "Drivers are ignoring these warnings and treating Mount Panorama like a racetrack, putting themselves and others at risk. "It is deeply troubling and concerning." The Bathurst Light Car Club hosts track day events on Mount Panorama-Wahluu, with a section of the circuit closed to allow drivers to test their skills in their own vehicles. President Neville Lin believes the events could provide a solution to the speeding problem. "If we could have more of the one-day events, you would get all the street racers off the street, they would be in a controlled environment," he said. Acting Inspector Marks has backed the plan. "If you want to go fast, get behind the wheel and do those extreme speed limits, sign yourself up to the light car club," he said. "There are a lot of safety measures that go in place for things like that." Five motor racing events involving a full closure of the circuit can be held on Mount Panorama-Wahluu each year. The Bathurst Light Car Club holds a further five events annually with a partial track closure but is hoping to increase that number. However, club vice-president Scott Sims said it "costs an extraordinary amount" to host an event at the mountain compared to other circuits such as Eastern Creek in Sydney. "You can go down there and run for about four hours at Eastern Creek for about $280," he said. "You can do as many laps as you want. "We can't compete, and we're losing a lot of guys." But Mr Sims said nothing could compare to the thrill of racing around one of the greatest circuits in the world. "You are on the edge the whole time. "The circuit is unique because you go up and down hills, there are blind corners. "It is the best feeling you will ever get." Deputy Mayor Ben Fry said Bathurst Regional Council was exploring all options to try and commercialise the racetrack. "We spend $4 million to make $4 million on this asset every year," he said. Last year Cr Fry visited the Nurburgring motorsport complex in Germany and other racetracks in Europe to investigate ways the council could generate more income from the circuit. "Are there opportunities for drive days, manufacturer partnerships, advertising, films?" he said. "This is the most famous motorsport track in the Southern Hemisphere and should be used as much as possible."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Couldn't hit the side of a barn': Dockers miss chances
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Couldn't hit the side of a barn': Dockers miss chances
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory.
