Having weathered a tumultuous finals experience, star attacker Helen Housby of the NSW Swifts asserts that their Super Netball journey can only improve from here. The Swifts are set to face off against the Melbourne Vixens in a high-stakes preliminary match at the Sydney SuperDome on Sunday, with a coveted spot in the 2025 decider on the line.
The Swifts are still reeling from a crushing 77-45 defeat at the hands of the West Coast Fever in the semifinals, a match described as a “dungeon” experience at the Perth Arena. This loss marked a significant downturn for the team, which had started the season with an impressive 8-0 record but has since lost five of their last seven games.
From Nightmare to Opportunity
Reflecting on the semifinal loss, Housby remarked, “It kind of feels like we’ve lived our nightmare but, in saying that, the sun came up the next day.” She emphasized the team’s resolve, stating, “We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain going into this game.”
Housby is no stranger to adversity. The Swifts have historically faced challenging paths to the grand final. In 2019, they suffered a 58–48 defeat to the Sunshine Coast in the major semifinal but rebounded to claim the championship. The 2023 season also saw them narrowly eliminate the Fever by one point, only to lose the grand final by a single point to Adelaide.
“It does feel like a bit of deja vu,” Housby said. “It always seems like there’s a bit of adversity in our wins and in our premierships, so I quite like that.”
The Swifts’ Road to Redemption
The Swifts are bolstered by the anticipated return of co-captain and mid-courter Paige Hadley from a leg injury, providing a significant boost for coach Briony Akle’s squad. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Vixens enter the match on a high note, having ended Adelaide’s pursuit of a third consecutive title with a narrow 58-56 victory last week.
The Vixens’ path to potential grand final glory is strategically advantageous. Despite finishing fourth, they will enjoy home-court advantage at the Rod Laver Arena if they advance, owing to Super Netball’s controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider.
Looking Forward
The Swifts’ determination is palpable as they prepare to face the Vixens. Housby and her teammates are eager to demonstrate their resilience and prove their mettle on the court. “I love to be on the edge of performance,” Housby stated. “This group is itching for it. Just itching for another chance to prove ourselves and to show the netball world that that’s not what we stand for.”
As the Swifts and Vixens gear up for this crucial encounter, the stakes are undeniably high. The outcome of Sunday’s match will determine who moves forward to the grand final, promising an intense and thrilling showdown for netball fans.
