Aiken-George’s record match soured as Swifts beat Fever
Sebastian Tan |
The NSW Swifts have spoiled Romelda Aiken George’s milestone match, beating the West Coast Fever 63-57 to keep their Super Netball finals hopes afloat.
Aiken-George became the first player to reach 255 national league games on Sunday in front of a packed RAC Arena, moving clear of former Diamond Catherine Cox’s record that had been held for 12 years.
The prolific goal shooter was typically busy, shaking off the occasion to nail 49 goals from 51 attempts against her former team, although she missed a crucial late Super Shot.
But the 37-year-old revealed the past week had not been easy, with off-court issues clouding her historic feat.
“Let me catch my breath,” a tearful Aiken-George said after the match.
“It’s been a struggle all week with my mum being really sick, but everyone has rallied around me to ensure that I’m the best on game day.
“Cath Cox, you’ve been the trailblazer for holding so many games, but I’m sorry, I’ll take it from you.”
Regardless of the result, the milestone adds another achievement to the Jamaican star’s resume, having won four premierships, three MVP gongs and netting more than 9000 goals since making her Trans-Tasman league debut in 2008.
It didn’t appear Aiken-George would reach the milestone after she retired at the end of last season.
But with her Jamaican teammate Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard announcing her pregnancy, Aiken-George answered the Fever’s SOS call.
“I’ve tried to stay away from netball for a little bit, because I knew it (the milestone) was coming,” she said.
“To be able to get another opportunity from Dan (Ryan, West Coast coach) and Tania (Obst, Adelaide Thunderbirds coach), I’m super grateful.”
After suffering a brutal 65-45 loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds last round, which was their biggest defeat since 2019, West Coast (6-4) were looking to turn their fortunes around and cement their spot inside the top four.
But not even Aiken-George’s superb performance was enough to overcome a courageous Swifts outfit.
Goal attack Grace Whyte netted a pair of Super Shots to help the Swifts lead 20-18 at quarter-time, then combined with star goal shooter Grace Nweke to push the lead to six goals at the main break.
A series of Fever turnovers in the third period further laid the platform for the Swifts’ victory, with the visitors going ahead 52-43 at the final change.
West Coast found a new gear in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to three goals, before Maddy Proud grasped a major interception to help the Swifts secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
NSW may have to count the cost of the victory, as Nweke limped off the court after landing awkwardly on her ankle late in the contest.
Defender Sarah Klau (four gains, two interceptions) and Proud (24 feeds, 19 goal assists, three gains) were the difference as the Swifts (4-6) moved within one win of the fourth-placed Melbourne Mavericks.
AAP