Swifts claim derby bragging rights in Giants demolition
Sebastian Tan |
The NSW Swifts have kept their Super Netball finals hopes alive, defeating cross-town rivals Giants 72-59 at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Going into the match on a four-game losing streak, the Swifts’ post-season hopes risked being on life support if they lost to the cellar-dwelling Giants on Saturday.
Despite their team having the worst defensive record in the league, the Swifts defenders fired, with Sharni Lambden (five gains, three intercepts) and Maddy Turner (three gains, two intercepts) helping them keep their four-year winning streak against their opponents intact.
Along with the prolific defence, the Swifts dominated the midcourt with goal attack Grace Whyte posting 28 feeds and 17 assists while centre Maddy Proud grabbed 22 feeds, 17 assists, and four gains.
In-form Kiwi international Grace Nweke capped off their efforts, nailing 61 goals from 69 attempts.
The Swifts (2-5) will hope the victory can ignite their 2026 season, after injuries to stars Helen Housby (back) and Sarah Klau (quad) contributed to them winning just once in their opening six games.
They now sit one win shy of the fourth-placed Sunshine Coast Lightning (12 points) on the ladder.
“Obviously, the last few weeks have been a bit hard,” Lambden told Fox Sports.
“We just really wanted to come out, we always like playing in a derby, so we had to give 110 per cent and that’s what we did today.”
The Giants (0-7) were without Diamonds hopeful Lucy Austin after her season-ending foot injury but fellow attacker Sophie Dwyer was busy, netting a career-high 10 Super Shots from 14 attempts.
But conceding 28 turnovers and 55 penalties cruelled their chances of a first win, leaving coach Nerida Stewart with her head in her hands.
The Swifts darted out to an early lead as they picked off their opponents’ lacklustre passes, before they put foot to throttle to beef up their advantage to 21-14 at quarter time.
NSW went on a 6-0 run to start the second period, turning their strong defence into lethal attack, and took a 40-26 lead at halftime.
Whyte went off in the third quarter complaining of a corked leg, but the Swifts shook off the loss as they cruised to victory.
AAP