Super Netball
R12: NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds
Image: Firebirds’ Macy Gardner throws a pass during the clash. Credit: HER WAY
JUNE 30, 2024
FIREBIRDS 61
SWIFTS 60
The Queensland Firebirds have kept their slim hopes of finals alive with a thrilling one goal win over the NSW Swifts at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on a cold Sunday afternoon.
Just nine days ago the Firebirds were still reeling from the departure of their coach Bec Bulley, and sat at the bottom of the table. Now, after defeating defending champions Adelaide last week and the 2024 Team Girls Cup winners today, the team in purple now find themselves just one win off fourth spot with two rounds to go.
The Firebirds’ task heading into the game was made more difficult when Diamonds star Donnell Wallam, who was so dominant in last week’s victory, didn’t make the trip to Sydney because of illness. Added to that, the match was a special occasion for the Swifts, as they celebrated their annual Heritage Round and commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the club’s 2004 Premiership, with members of that team including legend Liz Ellis in the building.
For these reasons, Firebirds caretaker coach Katie Walker believed today’s win was even more impressive than their victory over the high flying Thunderbirds a week earlier, saying,
“It’s been a long time since we’ve won away from home. There’s a lot of things we had to contend with. We said we’d stick tight, and we stuck tight.”
The Swifts had the better of the opening quarter, winning it by four goals to lead 19-15 at the first break. Replacement shooter Uneeq Palavi, in her first start for the Swifts since joining the squad as a replacement player, was impressive from the start and didn’t miss a one point goal until the final seconds of the second quarter, but she executed a last second shot before halftime to give the home team a one goal lead.
On the other side of things, Firebirds centre Macy Gardner was busy throughout, combining well in the midcourt as she linked up with her shooters, providing 22 goal assists and 40 feeds. The Firebirds went on to win the next three quarters, all by small margins. Ultimately it was Super Shots that proved to be the difference. With the Swifts getting out to a six goal lead a couple of times during the match, Emily Moore stepped up to sink 5/7 two pointers during the match, including the match winner which rattled around the hoop before dropping with just seconds remaining. Moore and Tippah Dwan combined for 12 successful two point shots, while the Swifts managed just four.
Stepping up to replace the hole left by Donnell, Emily Moore said after the match she was confident in her own abilities;
“For me, I wasn’t trying to do what Donnell does. I bring something different. We knew that the Swifts were prepared to come up against Donnell - she was an absolute machine last week. To put out something different was always going to be a challenge for them and we really wanted to soak that up and make sure we did what we could in the moving circle.”
The Firebirds host local rivals Sunshine Coast next week in a game that has extra meaning if they win, with the Lightning currently occupying fourth spot, while the Swifts will host Adelaide Lightning, who kept the NSW side to their lowest ever score when they last met.
SCORES:
QLD Firebirds 61 (Dwan 24/29, 7/12 SS)
NSW Swifts 60 (Palavi 35/27, 2/6 SS)