Swift action paves way for stunning super comeback win
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Olympic dreams, TV deals and a screen of one's own: Inside Netball's ultimate power play
Netball's plan for world domination was on the agenda during a long lunch at Melbourne Park's Centrepiece on Saturday, before the Super Netball grand final across the pavement at Rod Laver Arena. Among the 800 guests were Bridget McKenzie, Nationals senator and demon netballer, and actor Leah Purcell, who once got physical on the court with Australian netball great Vicky Wilson and hasn't let anyone forget it. Purcell is working on a teen TV drama about a bunch of girls gunning for the state championships, strategically timed to coincide with the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Speaking of strategic, also in the room was the Brisbane 2032 executive Brendan Keane, and Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis made no secret of the sport's Big Ambition, to get netty into the Olympics. 'We will push hard for Olympic inclusion,' said Ellis, urging everyone in the room to pledge their support for the cause. (McKenzie obliged). Loading Of course, Foxtel execs were on hand, eager to capitalise on the fairytale ascent of the Melbourne Vixens with a big TV audience. But even then, Ellis was playing the long game; Seven head of sport Chris Jones was among the guests. Nothing like a bit of competitive tension with the rights deal expiring next year. Sadly, a missed opportunity at one Brunswick pub on Saturday night, where requests to switch on the game on one of three TVs were turned down despite protestations that it was a grand final, a Melbourne team, and pinnacle women's sport. As the decider went down to the wire, a large group of discerning female sports fans watched the thrilling finish on a mobile phone as the AFL, the rugby and the NRL played on the big TVs. Posting Through It Former Labor senator and Australia's first Indigenous Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris appears to have suffered little consequence for sharing a series of deeply offensive social media posts about Muslims. Peris was elected a director of Hockey Australia weeks after sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter) from an anonymous account calling Muslims 'Satan worshipping cockroaches that need to be eradicated'.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Olympic dreams, TV deals and a screen of one's own: Inside Netball's ultimate power play
Netball's plan for world domination was on the agenda during a long lunch at Melbourne Park's Centrepiece on Saturday, before the Super Netball grand final across the pavement at Rod Laver Arena. Among the 800 guests were Bridget McKenzie, Nationals senator and demon netballer, and actor Leah Purcell, who once got physical on the court with Australian netball great Vicky Wilson and hasn't let anyone forget it. Purcell is working on a teen TV drama about a bunch of girls gunning for the state championships, strategically timed to coincide with the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Speaking of strategic, also in the room was the Brisbane 2032 executive Brendan Keane, and Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis made no secret of the sport's Big Ambition, to get netty into the Olympics. 'We will push hard for Olympic inclusion,' said Ellis, urging everyone in the room to pledge their support for the cause. (McKenzie obliged). Loading Of course, Foxtel execs were on hand, eager to capitalise on the fairytale ascent of the Melbourne Vixens with a big TV audience. But even then, Ellis was playing the long game; Seven head of sport Chris Jones was among the guests. Nothing like a bit of competitive tension with the rights deal expiring next year. Sadly, a missed opportunity at one Brunswick pub on Saturday night, where requests to switch on the game on one of three TVs were turned down despite protestations that it was a grand final, a Melbourne team, and pinnacle women's sport. As the decider went down to the wire, a large group of discerning female sports fans watched the thrilling finish on a mobile phone as the AFL, the rugby and the NRL played on the big TVs. Posting Through It Former Labor senator and Australia's first Indigenous Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris appears to have suffered little consequence for sharing a series of deeply offensive social media posts about Muslims. Peris was elected a director of Hockey Australia weeks after sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter) from an anonymous account calling Muslims 'Satan worshipping cockroaches that need to be eradicated'.
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Collingwood recruited a star. After another worrying loss, it's time to let him shine
With Daicos used as the first-choice distributor, Houston has seen little of the ball. Not coincidentally, one of his best performances came against Gold Coast when Daicos-the-elder moved onto the ball. Loading Houston has sounded out Lachie Schultz, who last year had a tough first season adjusting his game to Collingwood's and trying to figure out where he fits in. It has, though, not been a problem for Harry Perryman, who has a different backline role to Houston, and has been very good this year. Against Brisbane on Saturday night, Houston had only 11 touches and gave away two critical free kicks, both for high tackles that led to goals. Both were those maddening free kicks when the player with the ball searches for high contact and is rewarded when it comes. Frees are nearly always paid in this scenario because the umpire is left to make a forensic decision in a split second about who was most responsible for the tackle slipping high. Houston is averaging just 16 touches a game. At Port, he was getting about 10 more touches than that each match. He has averaged half the number of inside 50s a game and fewer marks. It's as if Collingwood brought a star in for a role they aren't using him in. He looks confused and appears to be second-guessing himself. He is better than this, and Collingwood need to find a way to unlock his game because what they are doing now isn't working. If he is to be a difference-maker, the Magpies need to start using him better. That might require moving Josh Daicos up to a wing and shifting Jack Crisp, who has had a quieter month, back to half-back. The losses, meanwhile, mount for Collingwood – three in their past four matches, with Hawthorn to come this week off a five-day break, followed by Adelaide in Adelaide. They have now lost top spot and their grip on a place in the top four looks shaky. It is a recoverable situation, but there are problems. There is a suggestion the players have been through a heavier pre-finals training block, which would explain some sluggishness. But does it explain being beaten so badly in clearances? Being beaten around the ball? Does it explain broken tackles and a lack of pressure? Does it speak to a defence that is easily separated and exploited? Jeremy Howe and Beau McCreery are, for differing reasons, important outs for Collingwood. Howe has been missed in each of their defeats (he was subbed out in one), and is critical to organising the defence. He is smart, reads the ball coming in and manages the other defenders while still taking intercept marks or help spoil contests. Loading Charlie Dean has looked out of his depth and Darcy Moore was poor and beaten by a second-year player. He gave up another bag of goals. McCreery's pressure and aggression around contests is elite and was missed against Brisbane, whose settled midfield was so much cleaner. Ned Long has come back to earth after a very good period. Collingwood was exposed by their lesser players. Long, Charlie Dean, Oleg Markov and Will Hoskin-Elliott all failed to have an impact, while the older players Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were quiet. But, as with most clubs, it is the bigger-name players who will make the biggest difference. Bobby Hill's return and Jordy De Goey getting three quarters of game time after missing most of the year were the most significant and encouraging developments on Saturday for a midfield that has been too reliant on Nick Daicos. Finding the key to unlocking Houston's impact would also help revive their flag prospects. Cats purr Geelong quietly monstered yet another poor team. The Cats didn't choose their draw – the teams they play twice and their schedule of home games – at the start of the year. But if they did, this is the fixture they'd have chosen. My colleague Jake Niall has been beating the drum of the inequitable draft and, in particular, the generous fixture bestowed on the Cats. And he's done so for good reason: a team that finished fourth last year was drawn to play Richmond, St Kilda, Essendon and Port twice this year. No one at the start of the year would figure three of those for finals, while Port was plainly in transition and most likely sliding. Even Port knew that; they organised a coaching succession plan before the season even started. The top eight teams the Cats did get twice – Brisbane and GWS – beat them in all four encounters. Yet, Brisbane could still finish below the Cats on the ladder. A romp like Sunday's over Port was not just training run, it bloated the percentage. The Cats have Essendon, Sydney and Richmond to come, which gives them the chance to rest players without actually leaving them out of the team. Hawks' bad day Hawthorn's biggest concern now is not what happens to their finals chances without Will Day. That is almost inconsequential to the bigger picture of what now happens to Day. A third navicular injury – his second this year – is alarming. He missed the first five games last year with a foot injury, 16 games this year because of his navicular, and now has done it again after just two games back. Hawthorn's concern now will be getting him over the foot problems, no mater how long it takes. Incidentally, and this is no comment on Hawthorn or Day, but why was the game stopped for Day having cramp (it was not his foot that was the problem at the time)? Ridiculous over-correction. Culley thrives A small mercy for the Demons after a tough week. Maybe it was because he was playing his old side that Jai Culley looked comfortable, but it was the sort of performance that had you wonder where this has been for the tall, rangy former Eagle. Loading Playing a sort of Ollie Dempsey role, he pushed forward hard from a wing, kicked a couple of goals and was a surprising target for the Demons. His mark for his second goal, off two steps arching his back and reaching high, bending into the players coming the other way was as elegant as it was effective. He was allowed to jump unchecked at the ball which is a luxury he will not often get, and he will play better opposition teams, but he provided a sweet bonus to the crisis-calming victory for the Demons.
