No 'pretty netball' but Swifts dig deep, stay unbeaten
The NSW Swifts sit outright top of the Super Netball ladder after claiming a scrappy 59-51 win over the Melbourne Vixens for their fifth win on the bounce.
But brilliant defender Sarah Klau believes there is plenty yet to come from the only unbeaten team in the league.
A magnificent performance from goalkeeper Klau proved critical as the Swifts fought back from trailing 15-12 at quarter-time.
The Swifts took the lead in the second quarter and never looked back, holding strong to eventually shake off the Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena.
With it, they claimed the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup, while spoiling the party for Vixens coach Simone McKinnis, who was coaching her 200th national league game.
"We knew Vixens were gonna come out strong and it did take up until that last quarter," player of the match Klau told Fox Sports.
"So really proud of the girls to keep pushing. It wasn't the most pretty netball but we got the job done, which we're really pleased about.
"To start off the season so strong, it's great but there's still a long way to go.
"I'm sure we'll learn lots from this game."
Klau, who had five intercepts, 13 deflections and nine gains, was modest when asked about her own superb performance.
The defender also limited Sophie Garbin to 35 goals (42 attempts).
"It's a credit to the girls as well - it was a full-court defensive pressure," she said.
"But really happy - the combination between 'Turno' (Maddy Turner) and I, it's just working."
That's 5 from 5 for the @NSWSwifts 👏 pic.twitter.com/g9oLrAW7kJ
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) May 11, 2025
In attack, English goal attack Helen Houseby (6/6) nailed three critical Super Shots, while Grace Nweke shot the lights out, nailing 47 of 50 attempts.
The Vixens (2-2) sit outside the top four after their second defeat.
The Swifts next face the Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena next Sunday, when the Vixens will host Sunshine Coast Lightning at John Cain Arena.
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