In their 25th season the NSW Swifts have claimed a record seventh Premiership just three days shy of the 20th Anniversary of their first.
Up against their local rivals the GIANTS in today's Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, the Swifts were just a little bit more streetwise than their opponents - winning 63-59 to claim a second title in three years.
The success was built on a huge defensive shift from MVP Maddy Turner who was a thorn in the GIANTS' side all afternoon, while up front Sam Wallace was imperious, shooting 51 of her 55 attempts including multiple Super Shots.
There was also huge composure when required. A powerful third quarter, which the Swifts won 17-12, is were the game was won and lost. Briony Akle's troops headed to the last break with a nine-goal lead and went shot for shot with the Giants right up until the Power Five in the fourth.
It meant the GIANTS had to resort to two-pointers in the final five minutes, and while they did enough to make the Swifts nervous, the champions reset and played the clock smartly to ensure their opponents' final scores would be too little too late.
The most clever period of play came at the end of the third quarter. With the GIANTS looking to get back into the contest, the Swifts starved them of possession. It allowed them secure a lead which they would just need to defend with simple, smart netball in the last period.
Coming on the back of a season of upheaval, today's success at Brisbane's Nissan Arena is another proud chapter in the club's storied history and takes its place alongside the successes of 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2019.
The Swifts started with a bang, bouncing with energy and racing out to a 5-0 lead before the GIANTS called their first timeout. It allowed them settle and a missed Wallace shot, coupled with a pushed pass that Tayla Fraser couldn't handle, gave the GIANTS a window to get into the contest.
Heading into the first Power Five the Swifts led by one but a Sophie Dwyer Super Shot gave the GIANTS their first lead of the game. The momentum had swung in favour of Julie Fitzgerald's team but Wallace was quick to steady the Swifts.
She landed two Super Shots in response to another by GIANTS captain Jo Harten and heading to the first break the Swifts led 17-15.
The upped physicality in the second quarter led to the game becoming a scrappy affair with neither side looking particularly composed. As the quarter progressed the Swifts started to slowly get on top with a number of offensive contact calls against Harten and Maddie Hay hurting the GIANTS.
In the second Power Five the GIANTS looked for two-goal shots often but the defence of Sarah Klau, Turner and Lauren Moore was disrupting their flow on attack. The Swifts managed the last five minutes better and going to the sheds at halftime they led by four.
The sides exchanged scores in the opening five minutes of the third quarter as good midcourt pressure from both teams meant long passes began to be the order of the day.
Swifts head coach Akle called a timeout and her team looked more fluid on attack after they emerged, and with possession gains from Klau and Turner they stretched the lead to eight.
Replacement Natalie Haythornthwaite was impressive at the end of the quarter as the Swifts started to take control. She ran the midcourt beautifully as the Swifts took their time on approach to goal, denying the GIANTS the chance to score Super Shots in the process.
Heading to the last break the Swifts led by nine, however, the GIANTS had already demonstrated their ability to race back into the game.
However unlike in previous contests between the sides, today there would be no miracle comeback.
Quarter by quarter scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 17, Q2: 32 (15), Q3: 49 (17), Q4: 63 (14)
GIANTS | Q1: 15, Q2: 28 (13), Q3: 40 (12), Q4: 59 (19)
Starting teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Paige Hadley, C Maddy Proud, WD Tayla Fraser, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Sophie Garbin, Lauren Moore, Natalie Haythornthwaite
GIANTS | GS Jo Harten, GA Sophie Dwyer, WA Maddie Hay, C Jamie-Lee Price, WD Amy Parmenter, GD April Brandley, GK Sam Poolman
Reserves used: Kristiana Manu'a, Matilda McDonnell
Match stats: View HERE
