NSW Swifts defeat GIANTS Netball in 20th Sydney Derby
Credit: Getty Images (NSW Swift)
In the 20th Edition of the Sydney Derby a lot was on the line. For the Swifts, they were coming off back to back losses for the first time this season. For the GIANTS they had all the momentum with back to back wins. The Derby was sold out 11 days prior to the first centre pass - something Netball NSW should celebrate. With Verity Simmons not making the Swifts 10, Allie Smith started at Centre and Paige Hadley shifted to WA to start the Derby. But all eyes were on battle of the Kiwis, Swifts GS Grace Nweke and GIANTS GK Casey Kopua.
In the first quarter, the Swifts turned the ball over straight away and GIANTS were quick to capitalise on the Swifts’ mistake. With GIANTS taking an early lead 4-0 after 3 minutes, the Swifts found their first goal through Nweke. Early in the first quarter, Kopua forced a turnover after a contest for the ball with Nweke. Teigan O'Shannassy was injected into the game just prior to the Power 5 along with Sophie Fawns as the Swifts looked to close the gap. But the GIANTS shooting duo of Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer were off to a strong start. GIANTS led at the end of the first quarter 21-10.
Grace Whyte was brought on in WA for the Swifts to start the 2nd quarter. Hadley moved into centre up against Jamie-Lee Price and O'Shannassy remained at GK. GIANTS were still in control of the 2nd quarter and Maddy Turner returned to the game at WD 6 minutes into the quarter. Helen Housby had two impressive drives and shifted the momentum the Swifts way. Reducing the gap from 12 back to 9. An offensive contact called on Maddie Hay off the GIANTS centre pass kept the momentum with the Swifts and the GIANTS called a tactical time out. With 6 minutes to go, GIANTS by up by 8. Maddy Turner had another timely turnover and Nweke pounced for the Swifts. Going into half time, the contest was getting physical and umpires were struggling to contain the contest. At half time the GIANTS led 36-28, but crucially, the Swifts won the quarter by 1.
At the start of 3rd quarter, Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle asked her players to be more brave and go for those one-on-one contests. Swifts responded and started the quarter off strong and reduced the gap to 5 points within 2 minutes. Maddie Hay and Sophie Dwyer fumbled the ball and O'Shannassy pounced on the loose ball. Swifts took the opportunity to score off the GIANTS centre. O'Shannassy forced another intercept. Nweke scored and Swifts had reduced the gap to 2 points. GIANTS were quick to call time out to stop the Swifts momentum. Tilly McDonnell was brought on at GD for the GIANTS to give O’Brien a break leading into Power 5. But as the Power 5 started, GIANTS missed back to back super shots and Swifts through Fawns were quick to capitalise with a super shot of her own. The powerhouse of Helen Housby levelled it up 48-48 all and Ken Rosewall Arena rose to their feet. GIANTS quickly responded with a Super Shot of their own through Dwyer but Housby rose to the occasion and levelled it up again at 52-52 going into the final quarter. Swifts won the third quarter by 8.
At the start of the final quarter, the Swifts took an early lead by 3 points. For the GIANTS they brought on Matisse Letherbarrow for the first time in the game right when they were on the back-foot. O'Shannassy looking to intercept the ball, made heavy contact with Price and the court. With O'Shannassy coming off for medical attention, both sides had a chance to reset with 7 mins to go. Swifts lead by 3 going into the Power 5, but the GIANTS missed back to back super shots and with that, the Swifts were able to continue ticking the scoreboard over. The Swifts who were down by as much as 11 in the first quarter, chipped away at the score and won the game by 9 goals 75-66. The Players of the Match were Paige Hadley and Teigan O'Shannassy. O'Shannassy starred with 6 gains and with this win, the NSW Swifts regain 1st position on the Super Netball Ladder.
