The battle for Super Netball finals has heated up, with Sunshine Coast Lightning sneaking into fourth place on the ladder after a narrow win against the NSW Swifts in Sydney, 66 to 64. The Swifts third consecutive defeat came as their strike shooter, Sam Wallace-Joseph, has been inexplicably absent from Super Netball for the past two rounds.
The club has remained tightlipped about their star, with a statement released Friday stating only that she was unavailable due to a private matter.
“The club is currently working with Wallace-Joseph and her management team on the matter and no further comment will be made at this time.”
Other than Wallace-Joseph’s omission, both sides were back to full strength with the Swifts’ co-captain Maddy Proud and Lightning’s Courtney Bruce returning from lengthy injury stints on the sidelines. While the latter was on limited minutes and didn’t take the court till the third quarter, Proud made an immediate impact with her attacking nous and ability to feed the circle.
The match started clinically but was played at a frenetic rate, with errors creeping in whenever teams traded accuracy of passing for speed of ball movement. Sophie Fawns proved to be a pillar of strength under the post in Wallace-Joseph’s absence, finishing with 40 from 49. There was also a strong attack on the super shot by both sides, an aspect that’s been missing from Lightning’s game so far this season. MVP Steph Fretwell had a hot hand, delivering six from long range, in a total of 27/29.
Liz Watson and Steph Fretwell celebrate the win. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds called for her defence to be bold and chaotic, and they delivered, with new Diamond squad member Ash Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe combining for 11 gains. Their heroics saw Lightning push their lead out to seven points at three quarter time.
During a fourth quarter time out, Swifts coach Briony Akle challenged her defence to lift, asking them if they wanted to play finals.
Sarah Klau had a hand in everything, finishing with five gains and dragging her side back to within two points with seconds left to play. However, Lightning’s experienced heads handled the pressure cooker, and they ran out winners by two points.
CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS
It’s not the first time that controversy has swirled around Sam Wallace-Joseph this year. In April, her tweets about the timing of the International Transgender Day of Visibility were seen as inflammatory and subsequently investigated by the Super Netball league under the Social Media Code of Conduct. Wallace-Joseph completed the Proud2Play programme afterwards and committed to encouraging inclusion in sport.
FINALS FRENZY
Champion Data’s Ladder Simulator showed just how much was riding on this match. With the top three Super Netball spots almost sewn up by Fever, Vixens and Thunderbirds, the race for fourth and a coveted place in the finals is still wide open. The simulator shows a 48 percent chance that Lightning will make it to the semi-finals, a 25 percent chance that Swifts will, while new kids on the block Mavericks are sitting on 20 percent.
Sam Wallace-Joseph private matter, absence, NSW Swifts vs Sunshine Coast Lightning highlights – MASHAHER
The battle for Super Netball finals has heated up, with Sunshine Coast Lightning sneaking into fourth place on the ladder after a narrow win against the NSW Swifts in Sydney, 66 to 64. The Swifts third consecutive defeat came as their strike shooter, Sam Wallace-Joseph, has been inexplicably absent from Super Netball for the past two rounds.
The club has remained tightlipped about their star, with a statement released Friday stating only that she was unavailable due to a private matter.
“The club is currently working with Wallace-Joseph and her management team on the matter and no further comment will be made at this time.”
Watch every game of the Suncorp Super Netball Season live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Fever take out 3 point thriller | 00:56
Other than Wallace-Joseph’s omission, both sides were back to full strength with the Swifts’ co-captain Maddy Proud and Lightning’s Courtney Bruce returning from lengthy injury stints on the sidelines. While the latter was on limited minutes and didn’t take the court till the third quarter, Proud made an immediate impact with her attacking nous and ability to feed the circle.
The match started clinically but was played at a frenetic rate, with errors creeping in whenever teams traded accuracy of passing for speed of ball movement. Sophie Fawns proved to be a pillar of strength under the post in Wallace-Joseph’s absence, finishing with 40 from 49. There was also a strong attack on the super shot by both sides, an aspect that’s been missing from Lightning’s game so far this season. MVP Steph Fretwell had a hot hand, delivering six from long range, in a total of 27/29.
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds called for her defence to be bold and chaotic, and they delivered, with new Diamond squad member Ash Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe combining for 11 gains. Their heroics saw Lightning push their lead out to seven points at three quarter time.
During a fourth quarter time out, Swifts coach Briony Akle challenged her defence to lift, asking them if they wanted to play finals.
Sarah Klau had a hand in everything, finishing with five gains and dragging her side back to within two points with seconds left to play. However, Lightning’s experienced heads handled the pressure cooker, and they ran out winners by two points.
CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS
It’s not the first time that controversy has swirled around Sam Wallace-Joseph this year. In April, her tweets about the timing of the International Transgender Day of Visibility were seen as inflammatory and subsequently investigated by the Super Netball league under the Social Media Code of Conduct. Wallace-Joseph completed the Proud2Play programme afterwards and committed to encouraging inclusion in sport.
FINALS FRENZY
Champion Data’s Ladder Simulator showed just how much was riding on this match. With the top three Super Netball spots almost sewn up by Fever, Vixens and Thunderbirds, the race for fourth and a coveted place in the finals is still wide open. The simulator shows a 48 percent chance that Lightning will make it to the semi-finals, a 25 percent chance that Swifts will, while new kids on the block Mavericks are sitting on 20 percent.
Source Agencies