THE Queensland Firebirds are out to spoil the big day of a club legend on Saturday when they take on the NSW Swifts in their first Suncorp Super Netball away day of the 2023 season, a match that is set to be Romelda Aiken-George’s 200th national league appearance.
Bec Bulley’s team are looking to take some momentum into the game after an impressive second-half fightback in their loss to the Sunshine Coast Lightning last weekend while the Swifts had to settle for a draw with Adelaide after a bizarre game in South Australia was unable to be completed due to a court surfacing issue and then a power outage at the venue.
LAST TIME WE MET
The Firebirds’ finals hopes evaporated with a heartbreaking 63-61 loss to the NSW Swifts at Ken Rosewall Arena in the final round of the 2022 season.
With the game in the balance Ruby Bakewell-Doran’s strong efforts in defence and Donnell Wallam and Gretel Bueta firing in attack had the Firebirds holding a six-point lead at halftime but the Swifts seized the lead with a burst of Suncorp Super Shots late in the third quarter to end the Firebirds’ season.
TEAM NEWS
The Firebirds have travelled with an unchanged squad from their opening two matches to NSW. The Swifts are also unchanged with Aiken-George continuing to fill in for the injured Sam Wallace at goal-shooter.
KEY MATCHUP – MADDY PROUD v KIM RAVAILLION
The battle of the two midcourt captains will be a riveting contest. Proud was arguably the Swifts’ best on court in last weekend’s aborted match against the Thunderbirds. Ravaillion made a rare switch to wing defence against the Lightning with Macy Gardner moving into centre. The experienced Firebirds’ captain showed her class in the positional switch however, playing a vital role as the Firebirds won the second half against their Queensland rivals by eight points.
KEY STAT
These two rivals can barely be split historically in Suncorp Super Netball, having met 12 times with the Swifts winning seven and the Firebirds five of those matches. Queensland however have lost their past four matches against the Swifts in Sydney.
LAST WORD
“We admire everything that she’s given to the game and we wish her all the best but unfortunately we’re going to ruin her party.” – Firebirds defender Ash Unie on facing Aiken-George in her 200th match.
HOW TO WATCH
Tune in to watch Saturday’s match live and on demand on Kayo Sports.
