Latest news with #NSWSwifts
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Super Netball Round-Up: Giants sign 40-year-old 'fossil' as injury replacement and is the Diamonds shooting circle in trouble?
Round eight is complete and we're over the halfway hump of the Super Netball season. The Sunshine Coast Lightning held on against the Melbourne Mavericks, 67-60, to move up a spot and claim third place. The undefeated NSW Swifts were challenged by defending premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a see-sawing affair, 66-64. The lead changed six times and Romelda Aiken-George hit a 9,000-career goal milestone before the Swifts claimed their eighth straight victory. That run equals the club's best winning streak of the Super Netball era. The Giants put up an entertaining fight against the Melbourne Vixens after a big week of headlines. But a shock signing that attracted worldwide attention couldn't help them shift off the bottom of the ladder and they faded in the final quarter, 71-61. Lastly, the West Coast Fever handed the Queensland Firebirds a sixth straight defeat, 82-65. The 17-goal blowout took place in front of the Fever's second-biggest crowd in club history (11,427). If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball Round-Up. On Tuesday, the sad news broke that Jamaican defender Jodi Ann Ward had been ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Ward had surgery and will now need to nail her rehab if she has any chance of representing her country at next year's Commonwealth Games. Then came the temporary replacement signing of Casey Kopua on Friday that sent the netball world into a frenzy. It would be her first elite netball game in six years, during which she has been keeping fit by teaching F45 classes and playing socially. Kopua was affectionately dubbed by New Zealand as one of 'the fossils' that won the Netball World Cup in 2019, alongside veterans Laura Langman and Maria Folau. The Silver Ferns had flown under the radar throughout that major tournament until the finals, where new head coach Noeline Taurua's mastermind tactics and fitness standards guided them to upsets against England and Australia. Kopua had previously retired from international netball in 2017 but came back to have one more crack at the trophy that had alluded her three times before. She was named as the MVP of the gold medal match before retiring once again — this time from all forms of netball. To say this Super Netball signing was left field would be a massive understatement and speaks to her relationship with Julie Fitzgerald, who previously coached Kopua at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic before moving home to Australia to become the inaugural Giants coach. Kopua answered the SOS call from Fitzgerald on Tuesday, left her three kids behind to jump on a plane on Wednesday, and joined the Giants for her first training session on Thursday. By Sunday she was making her Super Netball debut, 18 days shy of her 40th birthday. Although it came out of the blew, Kopua was keen. "This certainly was not on my bingo card for 2025, I loved every minute," she said. "The first text from Julie was, 'Want to make a comeback?' and I was like, 'Huh, are you serious, how would that work?' "There were about six or seven texts from me in a row before she answered." Kopua was initially brought over as a one-off, but discussions are now underway to sign her on a longer contract as the Giants try to avoid finishing with a consecutive wooden spoon. There was so much hype generated for this appearance that the Giants recorded their second-best crowd attendance at Ken Rosewall Arena so far this season (3,076) behind the NSW derby. So how did she do on court? For starters, Kopua played a full match at goal keeper. That's impressive. She got a reasonable amount of hand to ball (three deflections, one rebound) and the presence of a legend was enough to put off the Vixens shooters — who only found out they would be facing Kopua after they'd finished their weekly prep. Is she going to be the difference between winning games and losing them? That's debatable. But the Giants have made it clear that the stalwart is more so here to bring her leadership qualities and play a supporting role to 21-year-old Erin O'Brien than anything else. In that goal, Kopua succeeded. Offering advice and structure to the Giants at the back in defence while O'Brien picked off a game-high seven gains. Now that we've entered the back half of the season, it's time to do a temperature check on how our Diamonds players are tracking as they vie for national contracts. England announced its 2025/26 list last week, but Australia has delayed theirs in order to allow players more time to prove themselves in a year where there is no major tournament. It seems they need it, because running our eyes over last year's national squad brings up concerns for the shooting circle. For one, there are less Australian shooters occupying starting positions in our domestic competition, giving the selectors a smaller pool of talent to pick from. Only the Lightning, Vixens and Giants operate moving circles that hinge on homegrown talent. The rest of the five teams centre their game plans around a tall holding import under the post. It's no coincidence that each of these targets are the league's top five leading goal scorers. Three of these five teams also have an import signed as their main goal attack. Secondly, there has been some dicey form on show. It's most obvious at the Vixens, where Diamonds duo Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin have struggled to connect in the same fashion they did to reach the 2024 Super Netball grand final. Garbin missed eight attempts at goal on Sunday and the majority of those were under the post (43/51). She was also pulled up five times for offensive contact and both players are in the top five for turnovers this season. To be fair to Austin, most of the ball she has lost has been whilst trying to feed Garbin. Sophie Dwyer is another that has a really high turnover count and her confidence has taken a hit the past two seasons as the Giants trail the competition. Georgie Horjus made her international debut last year as a genuine wing attack and goal attack swing, but has spent less time in goals this season for the Thunderbirds; instead focusing on the midcourt. Cara Koenen started the season slow and was under an injury cloud ahead of round six when she was spotted at the airport in a moon boot. She watched the entire game from the sideline, then in round seven came off the bench to play for 30 minutes. In round eight, Koenen took back her starting spot in the Lightning's line-up and managed 56 minutes. Maybe that injury cloud has now lifted? Then there's Donnell Wallam, who left to play in the New Zealand Premiership and is still eligible for selection. However, she hurt her wrist two weeks ago and missed round four. The Northern Mystics are yet to provide an update. Lastly, Diamonds invitee Lucy Austin has been demoted to the Super Netball Reserves. So, do the selectors stick with these players and hope to rebuild their confidence in camp? Or do they look to reward form and blood some new faces like 23-year-old impact player Reilley Batcheldor, a consistent force in the super shot period for the Lightning? A couple of weeks ago we mentioned the Australian set-up was hopeful Gretel Bueta might return to the game after having her third child. If she was to come back would that sort out the uncertainty for the Diamonds shooting circle? More will become clear in the final six rounds of the regular season.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hannah Petty's career-best performance headlines the Super Netball Team of the Week
A career-best showing from Hannah Petty has led to the Adelaide Thunderbirds captain snaring a spot in the team of the week but there's little doubt the dual-premiership winner would hand that back for a win. The Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts played out the match of the season at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena, with the Swifts staging a spirited fightback to keep their unbeaten record alive. Petty was outstanding at centre, with 19 goal assists, 31 feeds and two crucial gains and while her team were pegged back after holding a double-digit lead at one stage in the third term, they showed they remain premiership threats, even without star defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey. Check out Emma Greenwood's Super Netball team of the week below, and use our team picker tool to select your team of the week for Round 8. Just two Swifts are among nominees for the team of the week though, a reflection of the fact they were well down for much of the night and won the moments – rather than the contest overall – to help their team fight back into the match. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard was back doing Fowler-Nembhard things in becoming the first player to sink 6500 Super Netball goals, her only miss coming from a super shot attempt in the final seconds with the game won. Check out Emma Greenwood's Super Netball team of the week below, and use our team picker tool to select your team of the week for Round 8. Kiera Austin and Hannah Mundy sneak into CODE Sports' team of the week after leading the Vixens to a hard-fought win, although they had plenty to contend with from a fighting Giants outfit including young defender Erin O'Brien. Sunday Aryang continues to impress in the west, whether defending in the circle or out at wing defence, where she starred on Sunday, while Courtney Bruce made a return to full form to help the Lightning maintain their place in the top four.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Swift action paves way for stunning super comeback win
The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena. The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash. A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale. There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes. Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer. Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores. Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts. Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts. The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record. "I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win. "Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us. "But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half." Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win. "It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said. The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match. Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits. Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat. The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term. The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena. The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash. A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale. There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes. Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer. Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores. Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts. Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts. The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record. "I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win. "Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us. "But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half." Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win. "It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said. The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match. Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits. Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat. The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term. The NSW Swifts have posted their eighth consecutive victory after storming from 10 goals down to beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-64 at a heaving Ken Rosewall Arena. The Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season looked certain to end after they fell behind 48-38 with just four minutes remaining in the third quarter of Saturday night's clash. A series of clutch super shots from Helen Housby helped close the margin to just three goals entering the final quarter, and the lead changed hands several times in a thrilling finale. There were a number of defining moments in the dying minutes. Housby's super shot with just over three minutes remaining gave the Swifts a two-goal buffer. Swifts goalkeeper Sarah Klau (four gains, three intercepts) snared a vital intercept a short time later, and the home side secured the win by passing the ball around for the final 60 seconds to deny Adelaide the chance to level the scores. Housby finished with 6-of-9 from super shot range, while Grace Nweke nailed 50 goals from 52 attempts. Thunderbirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George converted 43 goals from 48 attempts. The result ensured the Swifts (8-0) will finish the round either two or three wins clear on top of the ladder, while two-time defending premiers Adelaide slipped to a 4-4 record. "I think it's pure relief we got the job done," Swifts coach Briony Akle told Fox Sports after the win. "Coming out of halftime, I was a little bit worried coming off that 19-9 quarter. It wasn't good enough by us. "But I'm so proud of them for that fightback in the second half." Adelaide captain Hannah Petty praised her team's effort, despite not getting the win. "It's disappointing not to get the win tonight, but it's given us a lot of belief we can do it," Petty said. The Swifts took a 19-17 lead into quarter-time, but it was all the Thunderbirds in the second term as they stamped their authority on the match. Adelaide outscored the Swifts 19-9 for the term, marking the first quarter this season that NSW have been kept to single digits. Aiken-George scored her 9000th national league goal late in the first half, coming just a week after West Coast Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fever-Nembhard became the first player to achieve the feat. The momentum changed dramatically in the dying minutes of the third quarter courtesy of Housby's hot hand, and NSW came up with clutch plays when it mattered most in a see-sawing final term.
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.
