Talking points: Round 3 Part 2

By Sophie Taylor

The split round is done and dusted and the Swifts remain the only team undefeated after a blockbuster two weeks.

We run you through our top talking points from the second weekend of Round 3 action.

JHANIELE RETURNS

Here come the Fever.

With the return of their lynchpin in attack, the Fever looked dangerous on Sunday afternoon against the Vixens.

The return of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard from personal leave is not only a huge boost for the team in green but also for the competition with the best in the world back out on court.

While the Fever missed the Aryang sisters in defence, Sunday missing the match due to ankle soreness and Ruth ruled out for the remainder of the season (Achilles tendon), the return of Fowler-Nembhard did wonders for her side’s confidence.

Her reliability and strength on the hold were second to none with 59 goals from 60 attempts. Compatriot Shanice Beckford had a season-best performance with 20 goal assists and seven goals.

The Fever host the Lightning next week in a blockbuster battle at home in Perth. Expect noise.

FIREBIRDS FOUND OUT

If the Swifts proved last week they are the real deal, the Firebirds did the opposite this week with a 14-goal loss to the Lightning.

Mary Cholhok was limited to just 23 goals by an outstanding Ash Ervin (11 gains).

Wayward feeds forced continuous errors in the Firebirds attack, which the hungry Lightning had no issue picking off time and time again.

The Firebirds will rue missed opportunities after completing the match at just 68 percent shooting accuracy, though the superb output of Ruby Bakewell-Doran (eight gains, six deflections) should be lauded.

This week will be a true test of the Firebirds’ mettle when they take on the ladder-leading Swifts in Sydney on Sunday.

MORE MILESTONES

Yep. Another week, three more milestones in the bank.

Cara Koenen and Mahalia Cassidy marked twin centuries on Sunday afternoon.

Remarkably, Koenen has played all 100 of her matches in Lightning colours, and shone bright for the occasion.

Her 39 goals were pivotal to the Lightning’s win, but even more impressive were her two final quarter Suncorp Super Shots which got the home crowd to their feet.

Cassidy started out her career with the Firebirds before moving up the coast in 2021 and showcased her dash and dare over the weekend with an intercept and a pickup.

In Melbourne Rudi Ellis earned the start in her 50th SSN match, tasked with the challenge of former teammate Fowler-Nembhard and finishing off with three gains from 30 minutes on court.

HONOURARY MENTION: HI, ROBERT!

If you thought you saw Robert Irwin at the netball on Sunday afternoon, you would not be mistaken.

Australia’s favourite – ahem – wildlife conservationist has been a talking point over the last few weeks, and following some strong campaigning from the Lightning, made it to UniSC Arena for the Queensland derby.

While he was a little bit taller than the typical ball deliverer, he did a solid job and we’d love if he came back!