The NSW Swifts unbeaten run has rolled on, but the spotlight remains on Sydney rivals the Giants who are anchored at the bottom of the table for a second straight year.
The Battle of the Bridge has historically produced thrilling encounters, but Sunday’s clash saw the Swifts claim a blowout 82-69 win off the back of some MVP Teigan O’Shannassy (five gains, four intercepts) brilliance.
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Adding to the pain, Giants shooter Jo Harten failed to see out the match in her first game back after missing last week’s loss to the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Harten (27 goals at 93%) came from the court midway through the third term and went into the rooms; and from there things unravelled quickly for the Giants.
What had been a three-goal half time deficit became 12 goals by the final change in worrying signs for Julie Fitzgerald’s charges.
Giants and Australian netball great Kim Green was disappointed in that third term – given the side only finished -4 for the other three quarters combined.
“It’s just not good enough – especially when they had got themselves into such a great position,” she lamented.
“Obviously with Harten going off makes such a big difference to this team and that is quite a concern going forward if she can’t play a full game.”
Harten’s replacement Matisse Letherbarrow had an impressive 21 minutes on court, landing 11 goals at 100% before adding five supershots.
But trying to feed the youngster proved an issue for the side as the Swifts ran out 13-goal victors to now sit two games clear at the top of the table.
Kiwi Grace Nweke’s strong debut Super Netball season has rolled on with 64 goals at 95.5% before finishing the match on the bench.
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In Sunday’s other match, the Sunshine Coast Lightning easily accounted for the Melbourne Vixens 62-50 in a match where the visitors won every quarter.
But the big news was the lack of court time for Diamonds star Cara Koenen.
Koenen was reportedly in a moon boot at the airport in the lead up to the Vixens clash. The star goaler suited up and completed a warm up with teammates – but did not take the court as Reilley Batcheldor (48 goals at 92%) and Steph Fretwell (11 goals at 85%) carried the load.
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds tried to downplay Koenen’s injury issue pre-match.
“I think it’s not unusual to see in a sporting environment people in boots,” she told Fox Netball.
“It’s a long season for her especially with the international season as well.
“It’s a precautionary thing.
“She’s named fit and ready to fire.”
But given Koenen didn’t feature, Fox Netball’s Cath Cox questioned just how fit the star was.
“Vision of Cara Koenen walking around in a moon boot – I think she (Reynolds) blew it off as something that happens in elite sport all the time,” Cox said on Fox Netball’s Pivot.
“I played 18 seasons and never rocked around in a moon boot!
“Clearly there is something going on with Cara Koenen – we don’t know what that is … they are not giving much away.”
Koenen’s fitness will prove crucial as the side heads into a top of the table clash against the unbeaten Swifts next weekend.
While it was joy for the Lightning, the Vixens have plenty of woes as they now sit second-last on the ladder.
Kiera Austin and Lily Graham only added seven goals apiece from close range while Sophie Garbin finished with 22 goals at 85%.
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