The HCF Run Home from Round 11

By Matt Fotia 

The race is still on.

The Vixens continued their surge up the ladder by defeating the Lightning, while the GIANTS briefly dreamed of an unlikely finals run.

Where to for the Lightning, and will the Swifts hang on to top spot?

Get your head around all the permutations and complications of the final three rounds with the return of The Run Home below. 

NSW Swifts (36 points, 109.7%) 
Current ladder position: 1st  
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 234 

To come:  
Melbourne Mavericks (Away) 
Sunshine Coast Lightning (Home) 
Queensland Firebirds (Away) 

There would have been some very nervous Swifts fans at quarter time on Sunday, as Briony Akle’s side trailed their plucky orange neighbours 21-10 at the first break and were staring at a third straight defeat. 

Fortunately, the ladder leaders found their groove and were able to overhaul the GIANTS to get back on the winners list, while another win against the Mavericks this weekend should all but lock in the double chance for the Swifts. 

West Coast Fever (36 points, 107.4%) 
Current ladder position: 2nd   
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 185 

To come:  
Sunshine Coast Lightning (Away) 
GIANTS (Home) 
Melbourne Vixens (Home) 

Another challenge overcome for Dan Ryan’s crew, thanks to two ultra impressive bookend performances. 

The Fever won the first quarter on Friday night 20-14 and closed out their tussle with the Thunderbirds by winning the last quarter 17-12 to extend their winning streak to nine. 

The win wasn’t enough to overhaul the Swifts and claim top spot, but the Fever could lock in the double chance this weekend with a win against the Lightning. 

Melbourne Vixens (28 points, 101.9%) 
Current ladder position: 3rd  
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 185 
 
To come:  
Adelaide Thunderbirds (Home) 
Queensland Firebirds (Home) 
West Coast Fever (Away) 

Another win for the Vixens, mainly thanks to a scintillating second quarter on the Sunshine Coast which swung them into an unassailable lead.  

The win was not only a nice leveller for their Round 6 loss to the Lightning but also helped them leapfrog the Sunshine Coast outfit into third spot on the table. 

One more win will make finals a certainty, while three wins would keep them in the hunt for the most unlikely of top two finishes. 

Sunshine Coast Lightning (24 points, 104.9%) 
Current ladder position: 4th  
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 161 

To come: 
West Coast Fever (Home) 
NSW Swifts (Away) 
Adelaide Thunderbirds (Away) 

Things looked promising early against the Vixens, but the Lightning were unable to wrestle back momentum from the Vixens after half-time, despite the best efforts of skipper Steph Fretwell. 

Things don’t get any easier for the Lightning, who take on the top two sides over the next fortnight, which given current form could be considered free hits. 

Their Round 14 matchup against the Thunderbirds looming as a 'mini elimination final’, with both sides on track to be level on points prior to their meeting the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. 

Adelaide Thunderbirds (20 points, 103.9%) 
Current ladder position: 5th  
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 169 

To come: 
Melbourne Vixens (Away) 
Melbourne Mavericks (Home) 
Sunshine Coast Lightning (Home) 

The Thunderbirds will be rueing their slow start on Friday but will be buoyed by their ability to more than match it with the Fever on their home court. 

Round 12’s trip to John Cain Arena could prove pivotal. Win and the Thunderbirds will (likely) draw level with the Lightning and become favourites for fourth spot given their very winnable Round 13 fixture against the Mavericks. 

Lose, and they’ll still fancy their chances, but will be very dependent on their Round 14 match-up with the Lightning. 

Melbourne Mavericks (12 points, 94.9%) 
Current ladder position: 6th 
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 209 

To come: 
NSW Swifts (Home) 
Adelaide Thunderbirds (Away) 
GIANTS (Away) 

Got back on the winners list with an impressive all-round performance against the Firebirds and will be hopeful of carrying that form into this weekend's clash with the Swifts. 

Round 14 against the GIANTS will be circled in red as the Mavericks look to win the race for sixth place. 

GIANTS (12 points, 90.7%) 
Current ladder position: 7th 
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 161 

To come: 
Queensland Firebirds (Away) 
West Coast Fever (Away) 
Melbourne Mavericks (Home) 

GIANTS fans would’ve had the calculators out at quarter time on Sunday, frantically doing all sorts of sums to see if their beloved GIANTS could make an unlikely run into the finals. 

Alas, the GIANTS were overrun by the Swifts and officially ruled out of finals. 

They’ll still more than fancy their chances of finishing with a flurry, with games against the Firebirds and Mavericks on the horizon. 

 
Queensland Firebirds (8 points, 88.7%) 
Current ladder position: 8th 
Round 11 HCF Team Health Score: 153 

To come:  
GIANTS (Home) 
Melbourne Vixens (Away) 
NSW Swifts (Home) 

Not the showing Firebirds fans had hoped for when they turned up at Nissan Arena on Sunday, as Kiri Wills’ side went down to the Mavericks. 

Their last real chance of victory arrives this weekend when they host the GIANTS. 

Predicted Ladder 

1. NSW Swifts – 48 points, 110.5% 

2. West Coast Fever – 48 points, 108.1% 

3. Melbourne Vixens – 32 points, 102.7% 

4. Adelaide Thunderbirds – 28 points, 104.2% 

5. Sunshine Coast Lightning – 28 points, 102% 

6. GIANTS – 20 points, 93.1% 

7. Melbourne Mavericks – 12 points, 93.3% 

8. Queensland Firebirds – 8 points, 88% 

 

Predicted first week of finals. 

Major Semi Final 
NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever 

Minor Semi Final 
Melbourne Vixens v Adelaide Thunderbirds 

 

To get your own HCF Team Health Score™ and for the chance to win a SSN Grand Final Experience and more* play the HCF Team Health Score game now. 

Disclaimer: * Competition closes 11.59pm 13 July 2025 AEST. Full T&Cs visit hcf.com.au/netball. Authorised under SA Permit T25/490 and ACT Permit TP 25/00643