Round 8 of the Suncorp Super Netball League (SSN) took place this weekend with final quarter comebacks, and marginal two goal victories keep the fans tuned in on NetballPass* on the edge of their seats.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
Melbourne Mavericks vs NSW Swifts
Melbourne Mavericks vs NSW Swifts lived up to its expectations, with the two teams once again supplying a thriller in the reverse fixture.
The match ebbed and flowed, with each team controlling the game at different points and neither ever really pulling away.
With 15 minutes to go, it was the visitors that were in front by one but with just over 60 seconds left on clock the scores were back level again at 60 all.
The home side showed their composure in the final minute of the game, as they capitalised off a Maddie Hay deflection with their Jamaican Sunshine Girl Shimona Nelson scoring a Super Shot to see them win 62 – 60.
Australian Jessie Grenvold was key to Maverick’s success as she always found a way for them to get back into the game.
Grenvold made four interceptions, five gains and one turnover, all which proved crucial in such a close contest before she was awarded the Most Valuable Player award.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Queensland Firebirds
In the battle of the birds, it was Adelaide Thunderbirds that came out on top as they beat Queensland Firebirds 73 – 49.
Thunderbirds dominted throughout winning all four quarters comfortably.
It was a full team performance, expertly lead by Co-Captain Australian Diamond Georgie Horjus, that secured them the victory.
Horjus stole the show in attack as she turned her hand to both goal attack and wing attack, scoring eight out of 10 of her shots, as well as contributing 17 goal assists and 27 feeds, and receiving 16 centre passes – Horjus now has the most goal assists in the league with 164 to her name.
Benefitting of those feeds in the shooting circle was South African SPAR Protea Elmeré van der Berg, who continued her dominant debut season adding another 47 one point shots and four Super Shots to her season tally, taking her up to 390 goals for the season and making her the league’s top goal scorer so far.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Sunshine Coast Lightning vs West Coast Fever
It was the penultimate quarter that proved the difference in this clash as Lightning began to fade and Fever found their Rhythm, coming back from five goals down to take a two-goal lead into the final quarter.
Jamaican Sunshine Girl’s Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Romelda Aiken-George were key to the comeback as Aiken-George scored 51/61 of her shots and Dehaney contributed three gains.
The work was far from done for Fever though, as Lightning struck back in quarter four and at one point did manage to level the scores.
However, Fever showed their composure and controlled the game in the closing minutes ensuring they won by four goals, 54 – 58, keeping them 3rd in the league.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Melbourne Vixens vs Giants Netball
Keeping with the theme of close contests, in the top vs bottom clash Giants Netball gave Melbourne Vixens a scare taking them all the way.
With Vixen’s having won seven from seven and Giants lost seven from seven going into this match, one way traffic was expected however the total opposite was delivered.
It was the home side that started the strongest, flying out of the blocks, full of confidence, taking a 21-15 lead into the first break.
However, Giants grew into the game, and the second quarter was all theirs as they capitalised on Vixens errors and were able to tidy up some of their own.
Silver Fern Whitney Souness was key for Giants as she helped them get back into the game, contributing six goal assists and 23 feeds as well as 31 centre pass receives and five turnovers.
Giants managed to bring the score back to 33 – 32, leaving it all still to play for in the second half – and what a second half it was!
The teams went head-to-head right up until the final whistle, with both refusing the give up and the scores back level with just one minute remaining of the game.
Thanks to defensive pressure of Australian Diamonds Kate Moloney and Kiera Austin, Vixens were able to find the all-important turnover with Sophie Garbin then able to convert under post twice in the dying second to secure a 66 – 64 win for the league leaders, keeping their unbeaten record alive and leaving Giants with a winless record they are desperate to end.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass now to catch up on all the action ahead of Round 9 which starts on Friday 8th May.
To view all the fixtures, results, where to watch information and more visit our SSN page here.
*Restrictions are in place – viewers in Australia should head to Kayo Sports, Foxtel and for the first time, Binge.