The Queensland Firebirds’ brilliant 13-goal win over the NSW Swifts on Saturday has set the standard for the rest of the season, according to head coach Megan Anderson.
In possibly their best performance of 2022, the Firebirds blitzed the Swifts in a 73-60 victory with the help of a vocal home crowd of 3363 at Nissan Arena.
An elated Anderson told the media post-match the win gave the Firebirds invaluable confidence ahead of a challenging draw which includes three consecutive interstate trips to Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
“(It was important) to get that win leading into a tough couple of games where we have the Vixens next week and then into our week where we have three games – so confidence is key,” she said.
“But I think the players now know that is the work-rate needed, we have to keep that level and that is all on them.
“We know that when we play how we want to play we are good, we just have to put the foot down and make sure that we commit to it every game.
The Firebirds bounced back in emphatic fashion after Anderson and the coaching staff challenged the players to play to their potential after a disappointing loss to the Magpies last week.
Anderson said the uncharacteristic display itself was enough to make her team want to make amends. And that they did.
“Everyone was disappointed (last week), even us as coaches and our performance staff there was things we could have down better throughout the week,” The Firebirds coach admitted.
“The players were all bitterly disappointed, so it didn’t take much to rev them up this week.
“But we all certainly got the memo on the vibe and energy and having some good body language this week and it just transferred out onto the court.”
There was plenty of build up to Saturday’s clash with the Swifts – with the round themed State v State, in what is netball’s version of State of Origin.
The two teams share a healthy, respectful yet fierce rivalry that continues to grow each year.
And having been a part of both as player and coach, Anderson herself took some extra satisfaction out of the win.
“I live here now so I am a Queenslander, it is just all Firebirds,” the former Swift said.
“But it was great to finally get a win over Briony, my first win, so I am pretty happy about that.”
The win sees the Firebirds consolidate their third place on the ladder with a 4-3 record after the first seven games of the season.
