Latest news with #GraceNweke
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Super-shooter's 71 goals as Fever end Swifts' streak
The great Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has scored 71 goals as the West Coast Fever ended the NSW Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 79-68 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a heavyweight blockbuster between the competition's two best teams, the Fever (7-2) started quickly and finished with a flourish, extending their winning streak to seven and ending the Swifts' eight-game unbeaten run in 2025. Remarkably, NSW have never tasted victory against West Coast at their Sydney home base, a trend that continued on Saturday night. Unbeaten no more. Fever too strong in Sydney 💥 — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) June 7, 2025 "It's really good," said Fowler-Nembhard, the world's best shooter, who missed just one shot attempt all evening. "I came up against some brilliant defenders. "The Swifts are an incredible team and we couldn't come here and underestimate them." At the other end, NSW shooter Grace Nweke racked up a whopping 13 rebounds to go with 48 goals at a less efficient 80 per cent. After a goal-for-goal opening, the Fever created some separation through Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 21 in the opening stanza to give the visitors a 22-16 buffer at the first change. Fowler-Nembhard's connection in attack with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg and Shanice Beckford was a feature. The home side rang in the changes in the second period, particularly in defence, as the contest became scrappier and more physical after opening in clean, clinical fashion. Fowler-Nembhard had 37 by half-time, while Nweke was off-target in the Swifts' attack, hounded relentlessly by Kadie-Ann Dehaney. West Coast held sway 39-32 at the main break before NSW lifted through co-captain Paige Hadley and goal attack Helen Housby. Housby's sixth two-pointer trimmed the margin to three before Fowler-Nembard's second-chance goal put the Fever in front 59-55 with a quarter to play. But the last term belonged emphatically to West Coast, who shot 20-of-20 to the Swifts' 11-of-19 to put the rest of the competition on notice.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Super Netball round-up: Nweke vs Bruce, Giants desperately need change and we're down to one Indigenous athlete
We've reached the midway point of the Super Netball season and what a way to celebrate. First Nations Round held across the weekend was a massive hit. Positioned on the calendar ahead of National Reconciliation Week, it aims to start a conversation about how Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can work together in the sport. In a top of the ladder clash the NSW Swifts continued their unbeaten streak and have now defeated all seven teams, downing the Sunshine Coast Lightning 70-62. The West Coast Fever beat the Giants 75-66 as Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard claimed her fourth player of the match award this season and became the first shooter to reach 9,000 goals. The Melbourne Vixens handed the Queensland Firebirds their fifth straight loss, 70-52, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds got back on track with a 66-59 victory over the Melbourne Mavericks. The Thunderbirds were also the first Super Netball club to follow the AFL's lead and take on an Indigenous name for the round. They were known as Tarntanya Karntu after working with Uncle Mickey O'Brien to translate their name into Kaurna language. If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball Round-Up. When the Swifts secured the signature of Silver Ferns target Grace Nweke, our first thought was 'how good'. Now we get to see our favourite Constellation Cup battle happen on a regular basis. Nweke has previously complained about the physicality she is subjected to against the Diamonds and getting used to this would have been one of the driving forces that led her to sacrifice national selection to sign with a Super Netball team in order to grow her game. We didn't see the pair meet during the pre-season as Bruce was being managed in her return from injury. We've had to wait seven rounds into the official competition and even then, Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds made us wait another 10 minutes, when she started Ash Ervin (192cm) at goal keeper before injecting Bruce (189cm) later as a rolling sub. Perhaps Reynolds wanted to see what the extra height could do? Maybe it was mind games? What we do know is that once Bruce was on court the fireworks started and we couldn't look away. There was some serious tension in that goal circle between Nweke and all three of the Lightning's defenders — Bruce, Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe. Shoving, grabbing, and jostling for space. Bruce and Nweke lined up front-on at points, face-to-face, and neither took a backward step. The game is supposed to have eradicated the tussle for ball after a goal to get it back faster for the next centre pass, but these two couldn't help themselves. It was on. There were also a few flops as the athletes played up the contact to try and gain an advantage. Overall, Nweke won this round. She was named player of the match for her 50 goals at 89 per cent. Bruce registered zero gains and stood out of play nine times. She only lasted 10 minutes at goal keeper in her direct match-up against Nweke before she was shifted to goal defence, when Reynolds re-introduced Ervin. This allowed the Lightning to incorporate more height and for Bruce to float forward and then drop back as she continued to ruffle Nweke's feathers. But in an interview afterwards, Nweke looked as if she could cry. It was not the kind of emotion expected from a winning player. It appears the physicality got to her and she was frustrated she'd let Bruce get in her head. Nweke missed six goals and had four general play turnovers, as errors crept into her game as the match wore on. But this is what she's here to do. Learn how to deal with that physicality. Nweke is the ticket to a Swifts premiership and if she can continue to cop that kind of attention and deliver, she'll be much stronger for it. It feels like Groundhog Day as the Giants and Firebirds sit in the same ladder positions they finished last season. The Firebirds have at least had some change in personnel. Although at the midway point they are no better off results wise than they were when they parted with Bec Bulley after two wins from nine rounds in 2024. For the Giants, this is now their worst season to date. With just one victory in seven rounds, they've stooped lower than the two wins they had midway through season 2023 and 2024. They have gone backwards over the last three years and as a result, there are people at the club who will now be fighting for a contract. Jamie-Lee Price, Sophie Dwyer, Erin O'Brien and Jamaican import Jodi-Ann Ward are safe, as their only players locked in for 2026. Julie Fitzgerald is the most experienced coach in the league and is in the last year of her current deal. Is it time for fresh ideas? How much longer will Jo Harten play? Has Matisse Letherbarrow done enough to take over the starting GS bib? The Giants have played two grand finals in their nine-year existence. They know what it takes to be successful, but they have become complacent and are no longer up to scratch. It won't help that co-captain Price has openly indicated she wants to move to Melbourne to be with her partner and AFL footballer Harry Perryman who plays for Collingwood. If inaugural figures Price, Harten and Fitzgerald all go in a short period, who carries on the legacy of the Giants? At a time where Welcome to Countries are such a hot topic, we saw four engaging and unique ceremonies held before the games. The dresses featuring First Nations artwork were some of the best designs we've seen in the history of the league. The elephant in the room, though, was that we are back to championing a single Indigenous player in Australia's top-flight competition. Leesa Mi Mi (Wakka Wakka) is the only Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander across eight teams — just as her sister Jemma was years earlier. For the past two seasons there was also Donnell Wallam (Noongar), but she left to play in the New Zealand Premiership. During Jemma Mi Mi's career she was one of 80 athletes. Now each team has an option to sign 11 players and the Firebirds were the only club not to take up that offer in 2025. That means the size of the playing group has increased, but its Indigenous representation has decreased. From the outside it looks like one step forward and three steps back. However, Netball Australia First Nations engagement lead Ali Tucker-Munro (Kamilaroi) says there is progress under the surface. Tucker-Munro started in her role last year and implemented three programs that have highlighted the existing talent in the pathways: the Black Swans team, a First Nations tournament and a First Nations coaching course. At the national netball championships last month, Tia Molo (Waanyi) won the under-19 MVP award representing Queensland. There were also three Indigenous coaches at the helm of state teams, including Vanessa Dempsey (Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Jingili) who guided South Australia to the under-17 title. Meanwhile, there are Indigenous players taking part in Super Netball Reserves. This talent will pop its head up in the coming years as the sport plays the long game and ensures the representation is organic and sustainable. "Representation is really important to our community and it is going to take time to create that pipeline," Tucker-Munro told ABC Sport. "We're building on what we began last year and look, Vanessa became the first Aboriginal coach to win a national underage title, so there's little pieces of the puzzle coming together. "We're planting seeds, and the shoots are sprouting, but it's about giving the sport time to see these programs bear fruit in the near future."
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Super Netball round 7: NSW Swifts 70 d. Sunshine Coast Lightning 62, West Coast Fever 75 d. Giants 66
The NSW Swifts have maintained their perfect Super Netball record at the halfway point of the season, claiming a 70-62 victory over Sunshine Coast Lightning to stamp their dominance as the team to beat in 2025. Led by Silver Ferns superstar shooter Grace Nweke, with 50 from 56 shooting for the night, the Swifts kicked out to an enormous 18-goal lead midway through the final term before a late surge from the home side gave the Swifts a few anxious moments. The highly anticipated battle between Nweke and Diamonds defender Courtney Bruce lived up to the hype, with Nweke consistently finding answers and showcasing her skill and composure. Her shooting partner, Helen Housby, also proved a handful for Ash Ervin, contributing significantly to the Swifts' attacking prowess with 21 assists, 12 of 13 goals and four from seven super shots. The efficiency of the Swifts attack simply made it difficult for the Lightning to force any turnovers. While Swifts head coach Briony Akle may have been concerned by the team's finish, which saw the Lightning threaten a historic comeback, the title front runners ultimately held their nerve to secure the win. Paige Hadley was sublime through the centre court and had 21 assists and 27 feeds, while youngsters Grace Whyte and Teigan O'Shannassy gained valuable court time. EARLY DOMINANCE SETS THE TONE The Swifts established an early lead, capitalising on Lightning's inaccuracies and a crucial intercept from Sharni Lambden to go up 14-9. Although the Lightning briefly closed the gap with a Super Shot from Reilley Batcheldor, Housby responded in kind, giving the Swifts a 17-13 advantage at the first break. The second quarter was a tighter affair, with both teams struggling to convert bonus possessions. However, the Swifts managed to extend their lead to six points midway through the period. A late Super Shot from Lightning's Steph Fretwell, celebrating her 150th game, and a subsequent goal from Cara Koenen reduced the deficit to five points at halftime as the visitors led 34-29. SWIFTS TOO STRONG The Swifts came out firing in the third quarter, securing three consecutive gains to extend their lead to nine. While much has been made of the arrival of Nweke, it was in transition on the back of the defensive efforts of Lambden, Sarah Klau, and Maddy Turner that really stood up in the third term to take a 13 goal lead into the final break. The Swifts extended their advantage to 18 and appeared to be in total cruise control until Fretwell and Koenen scored four unanswered Super Shots. But it was too little too late as the Swifts steadied the run and secured their seventh victory of the season, guaranteeing them at least a two win buffer at the top of the table ahead of next week's clash with reigning champion Adelaide Thunderbirds in Sydney on Saturday night. LIGHTNING WORK IN PROGRESS Touted as genuine premiership contenders, the loss proves the Lightning are still not quite the real deal despite boasting Diamonds stars like Bruce, Fretwell, Koenen and Liz Watson. Emerging star Leesa Mi Mi had a tough night opposing Diamond Hadley, but there were just far too many turnovers on the attack end with Watson and Fretwell repeat offenders. With four wins from their opening half of the season, the Lightning are firmly entrenched in the top four and can move further clear in the race for the finals at home next Saturday against the fifth-placed Mavericks. Fowler-Nembhard stamps name in record books -Jenny Sinclair Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard continues to stamp her name in the record books, as she led West Coast Fever to a tough nine point Super Netball win over Giants Netball in Sydney. In an MVP performance, the Jamaican superstar became the first player to reach 9000 national league goals, but Fever were pushed for the last three quarters in their 75 to 66 point victory. Despite the Giants' terrific fightback that saw them sit on level terms during the third quarter, they've now lost six of their last seven games, leaving them stranded at the bottom of the ladder. With increasing criticism of the team's results, captain Jo Harten made an impassioned post on Instagram midweek. Speaking pre match she explained, 'When you're not having a mega successful season on the court results wise, there is an over scrutiny potentially of players and team management. My post during the week was just a gentle reminder that we have a great sport, a great community, let's show some kindness to each other.' That criticism may only grow as Giants got out to a terrible start, shooting just one point to the Fever's seven in the early stages of the game. Co-captain Jamie-Lee Price later described her team as looking like 'stunned mullets', as Harten was benched just nine minutes into the game. Matisse Letherbarrow took her place and four supershots from her and teammate Sophie Dwyer dragged back a threatening eleven point lead to just eight by quarter time. At the opposite end of the court, another of Giants' youngsters was showing her flare, despite having a tough assignment against Fowler-Nembhard. Matched against the world's best shooter, Erin O'Brien was at her most effective when she came off the body to pick off five gains. She played a crucial role in helping the Giants lift their performance, as they made strong inroads into Fever's lead to be just four points down by half time. Giants burst out of the blocks in the third quarter to level the score, but their chances were hampered by a knee injury to Jodi-Ann Ward. Fever remained composed throughout the match, to push out the lead again. Alice Teague-Neeld's calm head and smooth feeding was particularly crucial, Sunday Aryang continued her career-best form with six gains, and Fowler-Nembhard top scored with 63 from 66. NEAR-FLAWLESS FOWLER-NEMBHARD While Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard became the first player to reach 9000 national league goals, it isn't the only record she owns. The five time league MVP has scored the highest number of points in seven of the last ten seasons, has taken part in four of the highest ever scoring games, has scored the most goals in a game, and the most goals in a final. It's truly GOAT status. CONTRACTING CONCERNS With six Giants out of contract next year, it might be time for a shake up of their roster. However, the player they'd most like to keep – Jamie-Lee Price – may ask for an early release so she can head to Melbourne for 2026, where her AFL playing partner is now based. GIANT ROOM FOR GROWTH It's the inconsistency between the Giants' best and worst that has plagued their 2025 season. They are the most prolific team in Super Netball for supershots, with the third highest accuracy at the post, and also sit inside the top four for converting gains to goals, at around 70 per cent. However, they have the second worst centre pass conversion rate at 65 per cent, have taken the least number of gains, and given away the most turnovers. All of which points to some individual brilliance, but a team that can't string sixty minutes of netball together.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fearless era: Swifts' best start to a season since 2010
The NSW Swifts have continued their unbeaten start to the Super Netball season, making it seven wins in a row with a clinical 70-62 victory over Sunshine Coast Lightning at UniSC Arena. The ladder leaders gained separation with a strong first half on Saturday, before blowing the contest apart with a dominant 19-11 third quarter. The Swifts, who had only previously won twice from nine attempts on the Sunshine Coast and missed the finals last year, are now 7-0 and enjoying their best start to a season since 2010. She is beauty, she is GRACE 👑#WeFlyTogether — NSW Swifts (@NSWSwifts) May 24, 2025 Grace Nweke buried 50 goals from 56 attempts, while shooting partner Helen Housby had 21 assists to go with 16 goals, including four two-pointers. "Coming here, I wanted to grow my game, be more versatile, play out of the circle and change it up a bit," Nweke said. "Building on our previous wins, we want to keep consolidating and getting stronger." Nweke and Housby combined superbly in the circle from the outset, while at the other end goal defence Sharni Lambden suffocated Lightning superstar Liz Watson early. Watson had three of Sunshine Coast's seven first-quarter turnovers, with NSW taking advantage to move ahead 17-13. Watson shook off her shaky start to thrive in the second term after being released off Lambden into the centre, where she racked up several influential touches. But Housby's super-shot prowess meant the Swifts still had the upper hand, up 34-29 at halftime. Sunshine Coast captain Steph Fretwell, who had her hands full with Maddy Turner, was uncharacteristically inaccurate at goal in her 150th game as the contest got right away from the hosts in a lopsided third stanza. The Lightning struggled to contain the Swifts' Paige Hadley-led midcourt, while Nweke and Housby continued to fire on all cylinders in attack as NSW motored ahead 53-40. The margin blew out to 68-50 with less than four minutes to play, before Cara Koenen and Fretwell went on a belated 12-0 tear from long range to minimise some of the damage.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Record start continues for Super Netball pacesetters
The NSW Swifts have survived a first-half scare in their Sydney derby clash with the Giants before extending their record-setting start to the Super Netball season. Sunday's contest at Ken Rosewall Arena drew together two teams at different ends of the ladder, but the Giants threw everything they had at their unbeaten rivals before falling to an 82-69 defeat. While the Swifts remain unbeaten after six rounds - continuing their best start to a season - the Giants remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win. The Swifts got off to a sluggish start that has typified their recent matches. They still managed to hold a three-goal lead at the main break after a feisty first half featuring a physical battle between Swifts centre Paige Hadley and her Giants counterpart and fellow Diamond Jamie-Lee Price. But the third quarter proved crucial as the competition front-runners streaked away with the match, extending their lead to 60-48 with sharp-shooter Grace Nweke almost unstoppable. Down the other end, Swifts keeper Teigan O'Shannassy also kept a tight lid on the Giants and was named player of the match. The Giants lost Jo Harten with a mystery injury. The veteran shooter made her way off court and down the tunnel midway through the third quarter and was unable to return. Harten had been in blistering form, with 25 goals from 25 attempts and two from four from the two-point range. Matisse Leatherbarrow took over the GS bib and was also on target with 16 goals from 19 attempts, including five super shots. The Giants tried to claw their way back into the match in the final term but the deficit proved too much, with the Swifts' Kiwi ace Nweke finishing with a mammoth haul of 64 goals from 67 attempts. Briony Akle's troops extended their dominance over the Giants, now winning their past six clashes. "We wanted to start each quarter hard, we wanted to come out and lay a mark and I think we did that," said ex-Giant O'Shannassy. "We got told by Briony to go out and do what we do best, individually and as a team, and getting that freedom from the coach is something that lifts everyone up. "It's the battle of NSW and no matter where they (Giants) are on the ladder they bring out the best in us and no matter where we are in the ladder it's always going to be a great game."
