Talking points: Round 7

By Sophie Taylor

First Nations Round marked the midway point of the season over the weekend, with a top-of-the-tables clash and accuracy from range telling the tale of Round 7.

We run you through our top talking points from First Nations Round.

CAN THE SWIFTS BE BEATEN?

That’s the question on everybody’s lips this week.

The highly-touted 1v2 battle on the weekend was no issue for the Swifts from the very beginning, extending an early lead and not relinquishing it from there.

The Swifts have looked dangerous all season, and now having completed the clean sweep with seven wins on the trot, they enter the second half of the season brimming with confidence.

And why shouldn’t they?

Helen Housby is in sparkling form, while her combination with Grace Nweke somehow is still improving week on week.

Sharni Lambden has been a revelation down back and elevated Allie Smith along for the ride, while Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner and Teigan O’Shannassy are picking up more loose ball than penalties after a challenging 2024 season.

Factor in the reliability of captain Paige Hadley and the Swifts are well and truly on their way to a third SSN premiership this season.

They’ll have two big tests in the coming weeks with second-ranked Fever – who did not yet have Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard back in the side last time they played – and third-ranked Thunderbirds coming right up.

But if the Swifts’ eight-goal win over the Lightning tells us anything, it’s that they should be feared in 2025.

ACCURACY FROM RANGE

Whether you’re a lover or a fighter, you can’t deny the Suncorp Super Shot has showcased improved shooting accuracy from range inside the goal circle.

And while some teams opt to stick with the ‘ones’, others such as the Swifts continuously use it to extend their margins.

Take Helen Housby, for instance.

Didn’t need to take the Super Shots this week, but put up four successful shots from six attempts to pile on the offensive pressure against Lightning to undeniably kick them while they were down.

The GIANTS, Lightning and Mavericks used it much the same way, but to whittle back their respective scorelines to be much more reasonable in the scheme of the season.

The Lightning were down by as many as 18 goals late in their loss to the Swifts, but managed to whittle that down to just eight goals by the final siren credit to Steph Fretwell and Cara Koenen’s accuracy from range.

The Mavs hit 10 Suncorp Super Shots at 100 percent throughout the match, with five coming in a flurry late in the last quarter, while GIANTS’ Matisse Letherbarrow was dangerous with ball in hand with eight from 12 attempts.

MILESTONES GALORE

Three significant milestones were achieved over the weekend.

Fretwell suited up for her 150th match in a challenging outing against the Swifts, putting a respectable 14 goals and eight assists on the board, including three late Suncorp Super Shots to reduce the margin.

Sophie Garbin took the court for the 100th time on Sunday afternoon, and came away with a solid win and 42 goals to her name against the Firebirds.

There’s no denying Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s skill and execution, and the Fever goal shooter did it in style on Sunday as she put her 9000th national league goal on the board.

“This is just another record to add to the long list she already holds,” head coach Dan Ryan said.

“She genuinely is one of the greatest this sport has ever seen, and we’re so proud of everything she’s achieved and continues to do.”

ON THE STATS SHEET

Latanya Wilson is continuing to shine this season, leading all-comers for deflections (44) and intercepts (21).

Klau trails marginally for both stats with 36 deflections and 13 gains to her name, sitting second and third respectively..

Nweke remains on top for goals scored once more this week, with 363 to her name and Shimona Jok not far behind on 330. Fowler-Nembhard is drawing closer (290 goals in five matches).

Letherbarrow’s eight successful Suncorp Super Shots keep her ahead of Housby again this week (34 to Housby’s 26).

Housby leads a trio of Swifts for Net Points (649) and still holds the mantle for goal assists with 150 to her name ahead of Alice Teague-Neeld (139) and Liz Watson (136).

Watson leads Teague-Neeld and Tayla Fraser for centre pass receives, while the Firebirds remain on top for rebounds with Mary Cholhok dominating the offensive stat (54) and Ruby Bakewell-Doran taking out the defensive stat (16).