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Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League: Round 8 International Player Watch

Round 8 was nail bitingly close across the board, with no more than 7 goals separating any of the teams at full-time in their respective matches.

The closest contest came between Vixens and Fever, as Vixens’ got their revenge beating Fever by one goal thanks to Australian Diamond Kiera Austin.

Many other international stars also played their part this round, and you can find out more in our International Player Watch:

Firebirds 73 – 67 Magpies

This was a match of two halves, with Magpies allowing their lead to slip away in the third quarter.

The two teams went goal-for-goal in the first quarter, before the luck went Magpie’s way in the second allowing them to take a two-goal lead into half-time.

However, Firebirds used the pause in play to regroup, and came out on top stamping their authority over Magpies with a 19-12 quarter victory which they then went on to extend in the final 15-minutes to take an eventual 73-67 lead.

One international player that made their mark for Firebirds was training partner and Tongan Tala Hulita Veve who was called up following an injury to Macy Gardner.

Veve, who just captained Tonga as they won the PacificAus Sports Netball Series live on netballaustralia.tv, made an instant impact for the Firebirds at centre making three turnovers, one interception and 10 goal assists.  

With Tonga confirmed to be competing at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023, Veve could be one to watch in the coming weeks as she fights for international selection.

Giants 50 – 54 Thunderbirds

In a match where Giants England Rose shooter Jo Harten’s international career was celebrated off the court, it was a fellow England Rose Eleanor Cardwell that celebrated on the court with her Adelaide Thunderbirds team taking the win. 

Both teams started the match clinically making very few errors and leaving the defenders with a tough task at hand as they looked to win ball.

A strong Power Five from Thunderbirds saw them take the lead into the first break, but it wasn’t until the second quarter that the defence on both teams stepped it up.

Thunderbirds Jamaican Sunshine Girl Shamera Sterling came through with an early flying interception, which England Rose Cardwell was then able to go on and score from at the other end.

Sterling then stood up again when it mattered blocking Sophie Dwyer’s shot and forcing a held ball just before half time, helping her team stay in front at the main break.

The second half promised more of the same from Sterling as she continued to win ball, but her team just weren’t as clinical in attack as the first half, and they failed to reward her defensive efforts with a goal.

Giants attacking duo of Harten and Dwyer on the other hand really stepped it up in the third quarter, and managed to give Giants a 1 goal lead going in the final 15-minutes.

After an exciting end-to-end final quarter, Thunderbirds then managed to pull back the lead to win 50-54.

Vixens 74 – 73 Fever

After missing out earlier in the season by one goal, Vixen’s got their revenge on Fever in Round 8 of the Suncorp Super Netball League thanks to Australian Diamond Kiera Austin.

In a very close encounter that went goal-for-goal and left little room for error Austin was a stand-out international star on the court.

The goal attack did not just contribute in the form of goals, she also did her bit in defence coming away with two interceptions in a match where the ball was hard to come by.

As the final quarter got underway only one goal separated the two sides, with Fever leading 53-54.

However, with Vixen’s 100% home record on the line it was clear they were not going to let Fever run away with this.

The fourth quarter went goal-for-goal until the Power Five, with Jamaican Sunshine Girl Jhaniele Fowler scoring two supershots for Fever to bring the game back level, before Austin scored a supershot on the buzzer to secure the home-side a 74-73 victory and keep their 2023 unbeaten home record alive.

Swifts 67 – 64 Lightning

The final match of the round finished with yet another close score line, but after a slow start it was Swifts that always looked to have the upper hand in this one.

From the second quarter onwards, Swifts showed just why they are looking to be a top four team this season.

Notably in the second set of 15-minutes Swifts Jamaican Sunshine Girl Romelda Aiken-George put out a blinding performance, managing to bring in more circle feeds and converting her chances to bring the score line back to 26-26.

It was then time for Aiken-George’s partner in crime, Helen Housby, to hold her composure in the final second of the second quarter as she scored a supershot on the buzzer to put her side in front 35-34. 

The third quarter then became the story of the Swifts defence, as they made Lightning work tirelessly in their attacking third to get the ball anywhere near their shooting circle.

Young Australian Teigan O’Shannassy was a standout performer at goal keeper for Swifts, as she made some key interceptions and was always on hand to pick-up any lose ball.

It was an O’Shannassy intercept in the dying seconds that stopped Lightning from having another shot at goal, and helped Swifts get there 67-63 victory over the line.

The defender could be an international star to watch in the future.

More information…

The Suncorp Super Netball League season will be made of 14 rounds, with the Grand Final scheduled to take place on the 8th July 2023, just in time for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 which will begin on the 28th July in Cape Town, South Africa.

To find out more about the Suncorp Super Netball League, click here.

To view the full fixture list, click here.

To find out more about the start date of the other domestic leagues around the world, visit our Domestic League page here.

 

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