NZ powerhouse Nweke stars as Swifts crush Fever

Yahoo

06-04-2025

New Zealand star Grace Nweke has made a stunning start to her Super Netball career, scoring 52 goals to lead the NSW Swifts to a 67-49 win over the West Coast Fever in Perth.
Nweke tore Australia to shreds during last year's Constellation Cup series, and she was in fine form at RAC Arena on Sunday to ensure NSW got their season off to a winning note.
The 23-year-old was unstoppable close to goal, with Swifts players able to simply lob it over the top to her time and again.
"She's a freak of an athlete, and she's only going to keep getting bigger and better, which is quite scary," Swifts veteran Verity Simmons told Fox Sports.
"She's a beautiful girl off the court, and an absolute beast on the court."
Grace to Grace: Swifts know their target 🎯Watch every game live on kayosports & foxtel plus for the first time, now on binge. pic.twitter.com/rrTfFH8cda
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) April 6, 2025
The match also marked the return of Simmons, albeit in very different colours.
Simmons became a fan favourite during her 140-game career at the Fever, helping the club to the 2022 premiership.
The 33-year-old spent last year playing AFLW with West Coast, but she joined the Swifts after being delisted by the Eagles.
Despite now being on enemy territory, Simmons received a loud cheer from Fever fans when she entered the court early in the second quarter following a heavy fall from Grace Whyte.
Simmons played a key role in helping the Swifts build a match-winning lead.
"It was a crazy feeling out here, being in red and being with the Swifties in my hometown," Simmons said.
"It was amazing to get out there to get such a big win.
"The girls dug deep. I wasn't expecting a score like that.
"I am loving (being back). Footy was awesome, and I loved it. Maybe too physical for me.
"I'm really excited to have a round ball back in my hands."
SWIFT #112 | Verity Simmons#WeFlyTogether pic.twitter.com/fU1q4Pyx6d
— NSW Swifts (@NSWSwifts) April 6, 2025
The Fever made a strong start to the match, edging out to a 6-3 lead before Nweke turned the contest on its head.
From 10-10 in the first, the Swifts scored the next eight goals to take an 18-10 lead into quarter-time.
Fever closed the gap back to five in a hard-fought second quarter as Fever shooter Olivia Wilkinson nailed a pair of Super Shots.
But Nweke hit back to give the Swifts a 33-25 advantage at halftime.
It was game over in the third when the lead swelled to 19 goals, with the Swifts able to cruise to victory from that point on.