Latest news with #BrionyAkle
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Super Netball: Swifts need extra time to beat the Firebirds
The NSW Swifts will head into the finals on the back of a win but it was hardly the confidence-boosting victory they wanted ahead of the playoffs, needing extra time to get over the top of the Queensland Firebirds 79-75. The Swifts could not be beaten out of second place heading into Sunday's clash against the Firebirds on Sunday but having Briony Akle's side had lost four of their past five games heading into Sunday's clash and were desperate to get their premiership quest back on track. But they had to do it the hard way, needing extra time to get over the top of the competition wooden spooners, who sent the first game of the season to extra time. Unable to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder regardless of the result, the Firebirds were desperate to break a record run of 11 consecutive losses. They seemed set for more of the same after going down by five in the opening term but won the next three terms - by one, three and one point respectively - to level the game and force extra time. Ultimately though, the unforced errors that have blighted the Firebirds' season came back to haunt them. A missed simple shot from debutant Elsa Sif Sandholt - surprisingly injected into extra time for Mary Cholhok - and a poor pass and that turned over ball in their final attack told the tale of the year. Coach Kiri Wills said injecting Sandholt into extra time was a decision she stood by and she and her players had already got around the youngster. 'I just wanted to reiterate to her that I put her out there because I've got a lot of faith in her, and I'd do it again,' Wills said. 'There were errors at the end of the game, but that could have been done by other people on the court as well. 'So I'm happy with my change. Elsa's probably not quite as happy as you would want to be after a debut - it's pretty tough putting a debutant out there under that kind of pressure, but this is this is why we train, and this is what we're here for.' It was a gallant effort from the home side though and one that will give them confidence they can move on from a poor year. SWIFTS CONFIDENT DESPITE GRIND Like the Firebirds, the Swifts were undermanned, with experienced co-captain Paige Hadley (lower leg injury), and defender Teigan O'Shannassy, who will miss the remainder of the season with a back injury on the sidelines. Hadley did travel to Brisbane and helped warm the shooters up, so is not incapacitated but coach Briony Akle will want her available in the finals as the Swifts push for a third Super Netball title. Without her, the midcourt has been disjoined in recent weeks, with the NSW side struggling to have options to help the ball down the court. But in a grafting win against the Firebirds, they were forced to find a way in an effort that could be a bonus for their finals campaign. They head west next weekend, where they will face minor premiers West Coast Fever and have nothing to lose in a game in which the winners will claim a grand final place. But that doesn't daunt Akle or import shooter Helen Housby. 'I feel like as a group, we have definitely gone away and been to the bottom of bottom in terms of our feelings, our highs and lows, and at the end of the day, we were always in second spot,' Akle said. 'So after a few losses, you feel like you know the world's going to end, and the momentum is not with you, but I feel like it's only going to help us moving forward, that we've had the lows, and we're slowly improving and improving at the right time coming into finals.' FIREBIRDS LOOKING AHEAD Round 14 has been one of mass changes across the league, with players making their debuts and others getting their chance off the bench. And with contracts on the line, there's plenty to prove. The Firebirds had two potential debutants in Danielle Taylor, in for injured co-captain Hulita Veve and Elsa Sif Sandholt, who was on the bench for Abi Latu-Meafou. And the Icelandic-born shooter Sandholt became Firebird no.117 just minutes before halftime when she was injected into the game. Taylor then earnt her own number, becoming no.118 when she came on for Allison late in the third term after the England midcourter left the game. Where the Firebirds go from here is now the question for coach Kiri Wills and Firebirds staff, who have several big decisions to make on the futures of stalwarts, needing to change if they are to forge ahead next year. But somehow, their fans have not lost faith. They played in front of a sellout crowd of 4776 on Sunday, taking their season tally to a Nissan Arena record of 31,886 for the season.
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.
