Nothing to lose for Swifts after finals 'nightmare'
The Swifts will be out for redemption - and a spot in the 2025 decider - when the 13-times finalists host the Melbourne Vixens in a do-or-die prelim at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.
Housby and her teammates were left reeling after a disastrous 77-45 semi-final mauling to grand final-bound West Coast in the RAC Arena "dungeon".
After a perfect 8-0 start to the season, NSW have lost five of their past seven games.
Meanwhile, the Vixens are riding high after sensationally ending Adelaide's bid for a third-straight title with a 58-56 win last week.
The road to grand final glory works favourably for the Vixens, who will enjoy home-court advantage - despite finishing fourth - if they reach the decider.
Despite the Fever finishing on top of the table, Rod Laver Arena will host the grand final on August 2 under Super Netball's controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider.
NSW can't look that far just yet, with Housby saying her side was taking a nothing-to-lose approach against Melbourne.
"It kind of feels like we've lived our nightmare but, in saying that, the sun came up the next day," Housby said.
"I don't want to say it was a relief but to get that game out of the way but still have a game to play, it almost feels like it can't go any worse than what it was (against West Coast).
"We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain going into this game."
Housby has seen this movie before too, saying NSW have never had it easy on the way to a grand final.
The Swifts were thumped 58-48 by Sunshine Coast in the 2019 major semi-final before rebounding to win the title.
Housby also points to their 2023 run, where the Swifts eliminated the Fever by one point in the dying seconds.
They later lost the grand final by one point to Adelaide.
"It does feel like a bit of deja vu," Housby said.
"It always seems like there's a bit of adversity in our wins and in our premierships, so I quite like that.
"I love to be on the edge of performance. This group is itching for it. Just itching for another chance to prove ourselves and to show the netball world that that's not what we stand for."
Swifts co-captain and mid-courter Paige Hadley is expected to return from a leg injury in a massive boost for coach Briony Akle's team.
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