AFTER 13 rounds of blood, sweat and tears, the Queensland Firebirds’ premiership dreams will be decided this weekend.
While the Vixens, Fever and Giants have secured their spots in the semi-finals, the battle for fourth place is wide open with the Firebirds and NSW Swifts sitting on 20 points on the Suncorp Super Netball ladder heading into their ‘State of Origin’ game at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.
The winning team will rely on the fourth-placed Magpies (24 points) and Thunderbirds (20 points) to lose their last-round clashes.
Firebirds coach Megan Anderson said there was a positive buzz in camp following last weekend’s “epic game” against Giants Netball, in which her side went down in a nail-biting 72-73.
“On one hand we were pleased we executed so well in so many moments, however obviously the result was not what we wanted,” Anderson said.
“The girls are upbeat and looking forward to taking on this week’s match. We’re still focusing on taking each moment as it comes, executing game plans in training and doing everything we can to give our best in whatever capacity that may be. We’re taking it on this week and enjoying everything along the way.”
The last time the Firebirds and Swifts met was just over five weeks ago, when Queensland recorded a 13-point victory.
Anderson, a four-time Swifts premiership player, said she expected Sunday afternoon’s game to be a “great spectacle” with a palpable intensity and drive from both sides.
“The Swifts have a very open style of play, they can be super quick in attack but also very clinical and safe,” Anderson said.
“I think we will need to suffocate them defensively and force them into errors. The defensive end is tall, strong and mobile so our attackers need to be on the ball and make sure they have strong leads to the ball, and are also able to make good decisions on passing.”
Anderson highlighted rebounding as key this week, given the Swifts turn over a minimal volume of ball through the court.
“If we can force a few missed shots, we need to be able to capitalise on those opportunities.”
Firebirds captain Kim Ravaillion is fully-fit to play this weekend after coming off the court briefly with an ankle injury in the loss to the Giants.
