Latest news with #Firebirds
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swifts hold nerve to sink Firebirds in extra time
The NSW Swifts will enter the Super Netball finals on a winning note after overcoming the Queensland Firebirds 79-75 in an extra-time thriller at Nissan Arena. After losing four of their past five games the second-placed Swifts entered Sunday's match in desperate need of a confidence-boosting win. NSW looked to have the win in the bag after opening a six-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a Super Shot bonanza by the Firebirds sent the game into extra time. Scores were level at 75-apiece early in the second period of extra time, but a series of mistakes from the Firebirds allowed the Swifts to score the final four goals of the match. NSW goal attack Helen Housby nailed six-of-eight super shots in a hot shooting display, while Grace Nweke finished with 59 goals from 66 attempts. For the Firebirds, Mary Cholhok nailed 47-of-53, as well as a super shot, while Emily Moore was six of 10 from super shot range. Moore levels the score! 🔥Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) July 13, 2025 NSW (10-4) will travel to Perth next week to take on the ladder-leading Fever in the major semi-final. The winner secures a direct berth into the August 2 grand final in Melbourne, while the loser goes to the preliminary final. Season 2025 will be one to forget for the Firebirds, who won their first two games before losing the remaining 12 to take the wooden spoon. The Swifts announced before Sunday's match that Teigan O'Shannassy had been officially ruled out of the finals series with a back injury, while co-captain Paige Hadley was rested due to a foot injury. Housby's hot shooting from range in the first half helped give NSW a 34-30 edge at the long break. Veteran Swifts star Verity Simmons grew increasingly frustrated with some of the Firebirds' delaying tactics in the first half, and she received a talking-to from the umpire late in the second quarter. "I don't think we're really having the umpires on our side at the moment, it's really tough," Simmons told Fox Sports at halftime. "It's a hard game to umpire, I understand that, but I think we all need to leave the frustrations at bay. "It's the delaying stuff, that's the stuff we can change. It ticks the clock over, which does change the game. If it's both ways, no worries." The second half was a captivating affair, with the Firebirds hitting back late to send it to extra time, only for the Swifts to come up trumps after that.
The Advertiser
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Swifts hold nerve to sink Firebirds in extra time
The NSW Swifts will enter the Super Netball finals on a winning note after overcoming the Queensland Firebirds 79-75 in an extra-time thriller at Nissan Arena. After losing four of their past five games the second-placed Swifts entered Sunday's match in desperate need of a confidence-boosting win. NSW looked to have the win in the bag after opening a six-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a Super Shot bonanza by the Firebirds sent the game into extra time. Scores were level at 75-apiece early in the second period of extra time, but a series of mistakes from the Firebirds allowed the Swifts to score the final four goals of the match. NSW goal attack Helen Housby nailed six-of-eight super shots in a hot shooting display, while Grace Nweke finished with 59 goals from 66 attempts. For the Firebirds, Mary Cholhok nailed 47-of-53, as well as a super shot, while Emily Moore was six of 10 from super shot range. NSW (10-4) will travel to Perth next week to take on the ladder-leading Fever in the major semi-final. The winner secures a direct berth into the August 2 grand final in Melbourne, while the loser goes to the preliminary final. Season 2025 will be one to forget for the Firebirds, who won their first two games before losing the remaining 12 to take the wooden spoon. The Swifts announced before Sunday's match that Teigan O'Shannassy had been officially ruled out of the finals series with a back injury, while co-captain Paige Hadley was rested due to a foot injury. Housby's hot shooting from range in the first half helped give NSW a 34-30 edge at the long break. Veteran Swifts star Verity Simmons grew increasingly frustrated with some of the Firebirds' delaying tactics in the first half, and she received a talking-to from the umpire late in the second quarter. "I don't think we're really having the umpires on our side at the moment, it's really tough," Simmons told Fox Sports at halftime. "It's a hard game to umpire, I understand that, but I think we all need to leave the frustrations at bay. "It's the delaying stuff, that's the stuff we can change. It ticks the clock over, which does change the game. If it's both ways, no worries." The second half was a captivating affair, with the Firebirds hitting back late to send it to extra time, only for the Swifts to come up trumps after that. The NSW Swifts will enter the Super Netball finals on a winning note after overcoming the Queensland Firebirds 79-75 in an extra-time thriller at Nissan Arena. After losing four of their past five games the second-placed Swifts entered Sunday's match in desperate need of a confidence-boosting win. NSW looked to have the win in the bag after opening a six-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a Super Shot bonanza by the Firebirds sent the game into extra time. Scores were level at 75-apiece early in the second period of extra time, but a series of mistakes from the Firebirds allowed the Swifts to score the final four goals of the match. NSW goal attack Helen Housby nailed six-of-eight super shots in a hot shooting display, while Grace Nweke finished with 59 goals from 66 attempts. For the Firebirds, Mary Cholhok nailed 47-of-53, as well as a super shot, while Emily Moore was six of 10 from super shot range. NSW (10-4) will travel to Perth next week to take on the ladder-leading Fever in the major semi-final. The winner secures a direct berth into the August 2 grand final in Melbourne, while the loser goes to the preliminary final. Season 2025 will be one to forget for the Firebirds, who won their first two games before losing the remaining 12 to take the wooden spoon. The Swifts announced before Sunday's match that Teigan O'Shannassy had been officially ruled out of the finals series with a back injury, while co-captain Paige Hadley was rested due to a foot injury. Housby's hot shooting from range in the first half helped give NSW a 34-30 edge at the long break. Veteran Swifts star Verity Simmons grew increasingly frustrated with some of the Firebirds' delaying tactics in the first half, and she received a talking-to from the umpire late in the second quarter. "I don't think we're really having the umpires on our side at the moment, it's really tough," Simmons told Fox Sports at halftime. "It's a hard game to umpire, I understand that, but I think we all need to leave the frustrations at bay. "It's the delaying stuff, that's the stuff we can change. It ticks the clock over, which does change the game. If it's both ways, no worries." The second half was a captivating affair, with the Firebirds hitting back late to send it to extra time, only for the Swifts to come up trumps after that. The NSW Swifts will enter the Super Netball finals on a winning note after overcoming the Queensland Firebirds 79-75 in an extra-time thriller at Nissan Arena. After losing four of their past five games the second-placed Swifts entered Sunday's match in desperate need of a confidence-boosting win. NSW looked to have the win in the bag after opening a six-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a Super Shot bonanza by the Firebirds sent the game into extra time. Scores were level at 75-apiece early in the second period of extra time, but a series of mistakes from the Firebirds allowed the Swifts to score the final four goals of the match. NSW goal attack Helen Housby nailed six-of-eight super shots in a hot shooting display, while Grace Nweke finished with 59 goals from 66 attempts. For the Firebirds, Mary Cholhok nailed 47-of-53, as well as a super shot, while Emily Moore was six of 10 from super shot range. NSW (10-4) will travel to Perth next week to take on the ladder-leading Fever in the major semi-final. The winner secures a direct berth into the August 2 grand final in Melbourne, while the loser goes to the preliminary final. Season 2025 will be one to forget for the Firebirds, who won their first two games before losing the remaining 12 to take the wooden spoon. The Swifts announced before Sunday's match that Teigan O'Shannassy had been officially ruled out of the finals series with a back injury, while co-captain Paige Hadley was rested due to a foot injury. Housby's hot shooting from range in the first half helped give NSW a 34-30 edge at the long break. Veteran Swifts star Verity Simmons grew increasingly frustrated with some of the Firebirds' delaying tactics in the first half, and she received a talking-to from the umpire late in the second quarter. "I don't think we're really having the umpires on our side at the moment, it's really tough," Simmons told Fox Sports at halftime. "It's a hard game to umpire, I understand that, but I think we all need to leave the frustrations at bay. "It's the delaying stuff, that's the stuff we can change. It ticks the clock over, which does change the game. If it's both ways, no worries." The second half was a captivating affair, with the Firebirds hitting back late to send it to extra time, only for the Swifts to come up trumps after that.
Perth Now
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Swifts hold nerve to sink Firebirds in extra time
The NSW Swifts will enter the Super Netball finals on a winning note after overcoming the Queensland Firebirds 79-75 in an extra-time thriller at Nissan Arena. After losing four of their past five games the second-placed Swifts entered Sunday's match in desperate need of a confidence-boosting win. NSW looked to have the win in the bag after opening a six-goal lead with less than five minutes remaining. But a Super Shot bonanza by the Firebirds sent the game into extra time. Scores were level at 75-apiece early in the second period of extra time, but a series of mistakes from the Firebirds allowed the Swifts to score the final four goals of the match. NSW goal attack Helen Housby nailed six-of-eight super shots in a hot shooting display, while Grace Nweke finished with 59 goals from 66 attempts. For the Firebirds, Mary Cholhok nailed 47-of-53, as well as a super shot, while Emily Moore was six of 10 from super shot range. NSW (10-4) will travel to Perth next week to take on the ladder-leading Fever in the major semi-final. The winner secures a direct berth into the August 2 grand final in Melbourne, while the loser goes to the preliminary final. Season 2025 will be one to forget for the Firebirds, who won their first two games before losing the remaining 12 to take the wooden spoon. The Swifts announced before Sunday's match that Teigan O'Shannassy had been officially ruled out of the finals series with a back injury, while co-captain Paige Hadley was rested due to a foot injury. Housby's hot shooting from range in the first half helped give NSW a 34-30 edge at the long break. Veteran Swifts star Verity Simmons grew increasingly frustrated with some of the Firebirds' delaying tactics in the first half, and she received a talking-to from the umpire late in the second quarter. "I don't think we're really having the umpires on our side at the moment, it's really tough," Simmons told Fox Sports at halftime. "It's a hard game to umpire, I understand that, but I think we all need to leave the frustrations at bay. "It's the delaying stuff, that's the stuff we can change. It ticks the clock over, which does change the game. If it's both ways, no worries." The second half was a captivating affair, with the Firebirds hitting back late to send it to extra time, only for the Swifts to come up trumps after that.
Perth Now
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Vixens book finals spot as McKinnis signs off in style
The Melbourne Vixens have given long-time coach Simone McKinnis a parting gift by booking a spot in the Super Netball finals with a tense 64-62 win over the Queensland Firebirds. The Vixens (8-5) climbed into third place at John Cain Arena on Sunday, leapfrogging both Adelaide and Sunshine Coast (both 7-6), who meet in the last round of the regular season. It means the Vixens will play finals regardless of the result of their last-round away clash with top team West Coast Fever. Down by five goals at the last change, Queensland rolled the dice late as super shots from Abigail Latu-Meafou and Emily Moore got them back within one. But the Vixens wound down the clock superbly in the final minute and sealed the result through outstanding shooter Sophie Garbin (42/47) in the dying stages. "We got the win but it wasn't enjoyable viewing," McKinnis told Fox Sports after her final home game at the helm before she stands down at the end of the season. "It was tough and I think at times we made it hard for ourselves as well, but I'm happy with the win." McKinnis led the Vixens to national titles in 2014 and 2020, and can now turn her mind to potentially adding a third before her 14-year tenure ends. The former Australian Diamonds star admitted she had to tackle plenty of extra emotion around her last home-court appearance as coach. "In the game not so much because it was just like, 'Come on, get the job done'," McKinnis said. "I've got family here and when I realised that they were all coming today because it was my last game here, it was a bit emotional. "So I think I was mindful of just staying pretty calm." Under pressure to confirm a finals spot, Melbourne dominated the first period and looked as if they would take complete control when they led 18-12 at quarter-time. But the Firebirds didn't read the script, surging back into the contest late in the second quarter to take a 32-31 lead at halftime. McKinnis demanded a greater work rate from her team in the second half and eventually got it. A three-goal deficit midway through the third period was turned into a 49-44 lead at the final change on the back of a 15-6 run. The last-placed Firebirds threatened to pull off a major upset in the dying stages but could not complete their comeback attempt. McKinnis welcomed the last-round Fever clash as a chance for the Vixens to make a statement ahead of the finals. "If you're fair dinkum and you want to be going and winning finals, then you've got to be able to beat the best," she said. "I think it's a great game for us to be heading over there."
The Advertiser
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Hot-shot reserve helps Jo's Giants finish off Firebirds
Supersub Matisse Letherbarrow came in cold and caught fire, lifting the Giants to a 68-63 win over the Queensland Firebirds and helping Jo Harten celebrate her 200th Super Netball game in style. After watching their 12-goal lead evaporate into a three-point deficit at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Sunday, the Giants turned to Letherbarrow - and she delivered. Checking in partway through the final quarter, the sharp-shooting reserve nailed eight of 10 shots, including four of five super shots, and single-handedly outscored Queensland 10-2 in the last five minutes. Letherbarrow's late-game blitz delivered the knockout blow after Amy Sligar had laid the early foundations. "We wanted to come out and put in a solid four quarters," Sligar said. "It was really challenging, but it was good to get the win and celebrate Jo's 200th. "It's an incredible achievement and goes to show what kind of player she is." The Firebirds, who slumped to a 10th straight loss, were already on the back foot after losing co-captain Hulita Veve and attacker Tippah Dwan to knee injuries during the week. The Giants started fast, with Jamie-Lee Price on top in the middle and Sligar strong at wing defence. The Firebirds coughed up seven turnovers as the Giants jumped to a 21-14 quarter-time lead. Harten and Sophie Dwyer were in sync in attack as the margin stretched to 32-20, before Queensland clawed their way back. Lara Dunkley started getting on top of Sligar, as did Macy Gardner against Price in the middle. The Firebirds finished the half on a barnstorming 14-5 spree, capped by Abigail Latu-Meafou's three unanswered goals - including a super shot - inside the last minute to slash the margin to 37-34. Turnovers crept in again for Queensland in the third quarter as the Giants stretched their cushion to 51-44. But another Firebirds surge - a 6-0 run over the last 90 seconds, capped by a stunning Emily Moore super-shot right on three-quarter time - trimmed the gap to 51-50. Queensland coach Kiri Wills delivered an impassioned address at the final break. "We've got 15 minutes (left) where we need to work, work, work," she said. "Give this crowd something to bloody cheer for." The Firebirds heeded Wills' message and pinched the lead, before their shooters went cold down the stretch, while the Giants rode Letherbarrow's hot hand at the other end. Supersub Matisse Letherbarrow came in cold and caught fire, lifting the Giants to a 68-63 win over the Queensland Firebirds and helping Jo Harten celebrate her 200th Super Netball game in style. After watching their 12-goal lead evaporate into a three-point deficit at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Sunday, the Giants turned to Letherbarrow - and she delivered. Checking in partway through the final quarter, the sharp-shooting reserve nailed eight of 10 shots, including four of five super shots, and single-handedly outscored Queensland 10-2 in the last five minutes. Letherbarrow's late-game blitz delivered the knockout blow after Amy Sligar had laid the early foundations. "We wanted to come out and put in a solid four quarters," Sligar said. "It was really challenging, but it was good to get the win and celebrate Jo's 200th. "It's an incredible achievement and goes to show what kind of player she is." The Firebirds, who slumped to a 10th straight loss, were already on the back foot after losing co-captain Hulita Veve and attacker Tippah Dwan to knee injuries during the week. The Giants started fast, with Jamie-Lee Price on top in the middle and Sligar strong at wing defence. The Firebirds coughed up seven turnovers as the Giants jumped to a 21-14 quarter-time lead. Harten and Sophie Dwyer were in sync in attack as the margin stretched to 32-20, before Queensland clawed their way back. Lara Dunkley started getting on top of Sligar, as did Macy Gardner against Price in the middle. The Firebirds finished the half on a barnstorming 14-5 spree, capped by Abigail Latu-Meafou's three unanswered goals - including a super shot - inside the last minute to slash the margin to 37-34. Turnovers crept in again for Queensland in the third quarter as the Giants stretched their cushion to 51-44. But another Firebirds surge - a 6-0 run over the last 90 seconds, capped by a stunning Emily Moore super-shot right on three-quarter time - trimmed the gap to 51-50. Queensland coach Kiri Wills delivered an impassioned address at the final break. "We've got 15 minutes (left) where we need to work, work, work," she said. "Give this crowd something to bloody cheer for." The Firebirds heeded Wills' message and pinched the lead, before their shooters went cold down the stretch, while the Giants rode Letherbarrow's hot hand at the other end. Supersub Matisse Letherbarrow came in cold and caught fire, lifting the Giants to a 68-63 win over the Queensland Firebirds and helping Jo Harten celebrate her 200th Super Netball game in style. After watching their 12-goal lead evaporate into a three-point deficit at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Sunday, the Giants turned to Letherbarrow - and she delivered. Checking in partway through the final quarter, the sharp-shooting reserve nailed eight of 10 shots, including four of five super shots, and single-handedly outscored Queensland 10-2 in the last five minutes. Letherbarrow's late-game blitz delivered the knockout blow after Amy Sligar had laid the early foundations. "We wanted to come out and put in a solid four quarters," Sligar said. "It was really challenging, but it was good to get the win and celebrate Jo's 200th. "It's an incredible achievement and goes to show what kind of player she is." The Firebirds, who slumped to a 10th straight loss, were already on the back foot after losing co-captain Hulita Veve and attacker Tippah Dwan to knee injuries during the week. The Giants started fast, with Jamie-Lee Price on top in the middle and Sligar strong at wing defence. The Firebirds coughed up seven turnovers as the Giants jumped to a 21-14 quarter-time lead. Harten and Sophie Dwyer were in sync in attack as the margin stretched to 32-20, before Queensland clawed their way back. Lara Dunkley started getting on top of Sligar, as did Macy Gardner against Price in the middle. The Firebirds finished the half on a barnstorming 14-5 spree, capped by Abigail Latu-Meafou's three unanswered goals - including a super shot - inside the last minute to slash the margin to 37-34. Turnovers crept in again for Queensland in the third quarter as the Giants stretched their cushion to 51-44. But another Firebirds surge - a 6-0 run over the last 90 seconds, capped by a stunning Emily Moore super-shot right on three-quarter time - trimmed the gap to 51-50. Queensland coach Kiri Wills delivered an impassioned address at the final break. "We've got 15 minutes (left) where we need to work, work, work," she said. "Give this crowd something to bloody cheer for." The Firebirds heeded Wills' message and pinched the lead, before their shooters went cold down the stretch, while the Giants rode Letherbarrow's hot hand at the other end.
