Finals dream or final whistle?

By Stephanie Smarrelli
 

It’s not hard to work out that two doesn’t fit into one. 

But that’s the scenario at hand for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Sunshine Coast Lightning. 

The pair will go head-to-head this weekend in a winner-takes-all clash for the final spot in the top four. 

But that’s not the only finals implication this weekend.  

The Vixens are also in the spotlight.  

Win and they’ll earn the right to host the Minor Semi Final, but lose and they’ll be forced to travel interstate given the Lightning and Thunderbirds both have a stronger percentage.  

The chance of a threepeat is still alive for the Thunderbirds but the Lightning could ruin it for them.  

Last weekend Steph Fretwell came in clutch for the Lightning, scoring the match-winning Super Shot under immense pressure. 

And after two weeks on the sideline, Cara Koenen put out an MVP performance. 

But this week they’ll have to face the league’s best defender, Latanya Wilson. 

Wilson will head into the match full of confidence after a massive performance last round against the Mavericks. 

She leads the league for intercepts (39), deflections (88) and gains (71).  

Her battle with Koenen could decide the match and besides them on the court another key contest looms. 

Matilda Garrett vs Fretwell. 

The Thunderbirds’ unsung hero, Garrett’s influence is crucial to supporting Wilson and creating turnover opportunities and this week will be no different. 

At the other end, Ash Ervin and Tara Hinchliffe will have their hands full limiting the impact of the Thunderbirds attack. 

Romelda Aiken-George, Georgie Horjus and Lauren Frew know what it takes to win and when the pressure is on, they've proven they can stay calm under the post. 

This match is likely going to come down to the wire and will be won and lost based on execution. 

Things are pretty level when it comes to general play turnovers, the reigning premiers have 229 for the season and Lightning 228. 

The Sunny Coast side have the edge in Super Shot accuracy (55 per cent to 50 per cent) and slightly lead in one-point shooting, but the Thunderbirds have been better at converting from gains (68 per cent to 64 per cent). 

To win this clash, both teams will need to play with hunger and smarts in the important moments otherwise it’ll be lights out.  
 

REST OF THE ROUND 
 
The action begins with the GIANTS and Mavericks this weekend. 

Neither can make finals but pride is on the line.  

The GIANTS have a lot to prove, last time they met they fell to the Mavs by 15 goals despite being in the game for the opening half. 

But the Mavs are yet to come up against the GIANTS featuring former Silver Fern Casey Kopua. 

Kopua’s impact on the playing group has elevated the team around her and the side’s confidence on the court. 

Then Sunday it’s one of netball’s biggest state rivalries the Firebirds vs the Swifts. 

The Firebirds and Swifts are both locked into their positions on the ladder but form matters. 

A win will be crucial for the Swifts to carry momentum with them into finals having lost four out of their last five games. 

While the Firebirds will be desperate to put out a good performance to end their season. 

Then closing the round it’s the Vixens up against Fever. 

Defeating Fever in Perth is no easy feat and the Vixens know that as well as anyone. 

But the right to host the Minor Semi Final is on the line for them. 

And by the time they play on Sunday they’ll know their opponent for week one of finals. 

It’ll either be the Lightning or Thunderbirds and they won’t want to reopen old wounds in Adelaide if it’s the Thunderbirds. 

To claim a home crowd advantage in the do-or-die Minor Semi Final they’ll have to do what no team has been able to do since Round 2, defeat Fever. 

The minor premiers are on an 11-game winning streak and while they’re locked to host the Major Semi Final don’t expect them to go easy on their rivals this weekend.