Thunderbirds suffer shock Super Netball loss to Giants
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Nothing to lose for Swifts after finals 'nightmare'
Having survived a living nightmare, star attacker Helen Housby says the NSW Swifts' Super Netball finals fate can't get any worse than what has already happened. 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.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Netball champ Jamie-Lee Price quits Giants to join AFL star partner in Melbourne
The Giants have announced superstar midcourter Jamie-Lee Price is departing the club with a year left on her contract. The move had been widely expected, with Price intending to relocate to Melbourne to be with her partner, current AFL player Harry Perryman. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Perryman began his AFL career at the GWS Giants and joined Collingwood this season on a six-year deal reportedly worth $900,000 per season. Price is a key player in the Australian Diamonds team, winning the 2023 Netball World Cup, and has become renowned for her physicality and strength in aerial contests throughout her career. Price was a foundation player with the Giants, signing with the Sydney-based team when she joined the Super Netball competition in 2017, continuing her relationship with coach Julie Fitzgerald from their time in New Zealand. In a statement the Giants said: 'Over her nine seasons in orange, she became a cornerstone of the club's identity, known for her toughness, consistency, and leadership on and off the court.' 'Jamie-Lee has played a significant role in the growth and success of the Giants since inception and we thank her for her contributions over the past nine seasons,' Mr Underwood said. 'While we're naturally disappointed to see her go, we understand and respect her decision to prioritise her personal life and wish her the best in this next chapter.' The Giants missed finals this season and will undergo a period of change this off-season — longserving coach Fitzgerald has announced her retirement, as has veteran goal shooter Jo Harten. Speaking on Netball Australia's 'Uncovered' earlier this year, Price had flagged a move to Melbourne. 'I guess for me, it's just a matter of when I go to Melbourne,' she said. 'I think I'm going to be there eventually. 'I don't like the long distance (relationship) – obviously I'm able to live by myself and we are very independent in so many ways but it's always nice to have that person that you have lived with to be able to go home to. 'I think knowing that you only get so much time to play professionally, it is so small in your life or your career. 'We acknowledged that it's not going to be forever – we need to enjoy it while we can.' Following Price's departure, the club currently has Sophie Dwyer, Erin O'Brien, Jodi-Ann Ward and Hope White on contract for next season. It remains to be seen if Price will join the Melbourne Vixens or Melbourne Mavericks as she continues her Super Netball career. The Vixens have a strong team but lost Liz Watson to the Sunshine Coast Lightning two seasons ago, while Price could reunite with former Giants teammate Amy Parmenter if she heads to the Mavericks. The NSW Swifts take on the Melbourne Vixens at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday at 2pm AEST for a spot in the Super Netball Grand Final against the West Coast Fever.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
‘Difficult' selection call risks pushing young gun Leek Aleer out of GWS Giants as St Kilda circle
GWS coach Adam Kingsley has made it clear he wants emerging star Leek Aleer to stay, but understands the decision is out of their hands. A sore Aleer is likely to make way for Sam Taylor in this week's Sydney derby as speculation grows around the young defender's playing future. Off-contract at season's end, Aleer has been heavily linked with a move to St Kilda. The 23-year-old has struggled to crack into a stacked Giants defence — boasting the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash and Jack Buckley — since being drafted with pick No.15 in 2021. He has only played 20 games so far. An injury to Taylor opened the door for Aleer to return to the side in Round 11, and he has held onto his spot since. But with Taylor passed fit for Friday night and Aleer managing soreness, coach Kingsley admits the latter is unlikely to retain his spot. Aleer will be one of three changes, with star duo Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan also available after being rested last week. 'Leek didn't do much today (at training). He was a bit sore, so we'll assess that again with our medicos,' Kingsley said on Wednesday. 'He probably looks unlikely to play at this stage, I would think. 'It's going to be a really difficult decision, and a difficult match committee that we're going to have. 'Some unlucky guys are going to miss out.' As contract negotiations continue, Kingsley could only praise the young star's attitude amid growing interest. 'His decision will be his decision,' Kingsley said. 'We hope he stays. We know there's a lot of interest in him, and he's going to be a really good player, we know that. 'He's handling it extremely well. I haven't noticed a change in behaviour at all. 'He's head down, bum up, getting to work, making sure he prepares really well and then performing well. 'Maybe in private time, it's different, but certainly when he presents at the club, that's what I see.' Later on Wednesday, GWS announced Callum Brown had re-signed on a three-year deal. The Irish recruit has starred in the back half of the season, kicking 17 goals in his past nine games. 'Callum's journey is one of the great success stories from where he's come from to now being a really solid contributor to our side,' Giants football boss Jason McCartney said. 'He arrived at the club as a teenager from Ireland with very little exposure to AFL, but what he's achieved through his work ethic, commitment and natural ability has been remarkable. 'He's playing some really good footy at the moment and hitting the scoreboard for us which adds another dynamic to our forward line. 'We know he's got great capability to provide a real X-factor and it's pleasing to have him locked away for another three years.'
