NS SCOREBOARD: SSN Round 4

Writers: Katrina Nissen, Andrew Kennedy, Ariane Virgona, Ian Harkin, Jenny Sinclair

Photographers: Danny Dalton, Tash Rudd, Aliesha Vicars

Cover image: Aliesha Vicars

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Statistics are courtesy of Champion Data

RESULTS

Queensland Firebirds 78 def Giants Netball 55

Adelaide Thunderbirds 55 def Melbourne Mavericks 48

West Coast Fever 77 def NSW Swifts 57

Melbourne Vixens 70 def Sunshine Coast Lightning 59

The Firebirds were elated to snap their losing streak. Image: Tash Rudd

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NEWS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations are in order for former Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Steph Fretwell and her husband, Marcus, who welcomed their first child, a daughter named Hallie.

Congratulations also go to Laura Scherian, who married over the weekend.

Due to the Round 3 ACL injury of Tara Hinchliffe and the maternity leave of Molly Jovic, the Mavericks have elevated Jamie-Lee Price to on court vice captain.

In conjunction with Eltee Sydney, Kiera Austin has developed a range of period undershorts to help girls and women continue to play sport while experiencing their period or even urinary incontinence. Tested by Austin herself, the shorts are capable of absorbing up to 20ml, or the contents of four sanitary pads.

Austin told the ABC, “I still remember needing to learn to use a tampon probably earlier than I felt ready just to play the game, so I hope this is a product that can help many girls.” The underwear are available here.

The Vixens unfurled their 2025 premiership flag at their first home game of the season. Pre-game, family and friends formed an honour guard for the team, with the banner unveiled by captain Kate Moloney and coach Di Honey.

Vixens unveil their 2025 premiership flag. Image: Aliesha Vicars

Vixens at the pre-game flag presentation. Image: Aliesha Vicars

Sara Francis-Bayman spoke to Netball Scoop about her role as General Manager – Pathways & Performance – of West Coast Fever. Describing it as her dream job, one of Francis-Bayman’s priorities will be building on diversity and inclusion, with the club already a strong supporter of the Shooting Stars programme. She said, “To make a difference, it has to be systemic, all the way from grassroots through to elite.”

Former Fever import and wife, Stacey Francis-Bayman, is General Manager of Rowing WA, with the challenging roles keeping the couple on their toes. Read more about Sara’s role here.

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NEWS OF THE ROUND

Kelly Jackson (Firebirds) was an eleventh-hour omission for the side, citing ongoing effects after the face knock in Round 2. Speaking post-match, coach Kiri Wills said Jackson is likely to be back next week. Lily Gribble debuted in Jackson’s absence.

Jane Watson (Giants) was forced from the court during her side’s match with the Firebirds. She was seen on the sidelines with heavy strapping and ice on her right calf.

Jane Watson left the court with what appeared to be a calf injury, and didn’t return. Image: Tash Rudd

Kiri Wills gave the media an update on Maddy Gordon’s injury. She said Gordon is ahead of schedule in her recovery but is still likely to miss a couple more rounds.

Sarah Klau (Swifts) was a late withdrawal due to a quad complaint – her first missed elite-level match after 140 consecutive games for the Swifts. Klau’s omission meant that young shooter Nicola Barge made her Super Netball debut for the Swifts.

Nicola Barge made her debut for the Swifts, while Sarah Klau was sidelined. Image: Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports

Alice Teague-Neeld (Fever) was subbed out of the game early with a niggling back injury.

Tayla Fraser (Swifts) received a blow that saw her come off the court in the first quarter. She later returned to the court after what looked like an examination by the club doctor.

Early in the week, it was confirmed that Mavericks’ defender Tara Hinchliffe had unfortunately suffered her third ACL rupture in five years. Mavericks’ 11th player Charlotte Sexton was elevated into the match day 10 to replace her.

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Firebirds 78 def Giants 55 (MVP: Ruby Bakewell-Doran)

Hard midweek conversations and an MVP performance from Ruby Bakewell-Doran sparked the Queensland Firebirds to their best performance of the year, and their biggest winning margin in four years, despite missing Kelly Jackson and Maddy Gordon. Isabelle Shearer replaced Jackson in the starting lineup, and her combination with Bakewell-Doran was a winning one.

Efficiently capitalising on their own defensive gains and also the regular errors made by the Giants, Firebirds led 43-24 at half time and from there, the result wasn’t in doubt. After being benched last week, Mary Cholhok showed what she was capable of, slotting 62/80 and was ably assisted by Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who put in her best performance of the year with 10/12 and adding 29 feeds and 13 centre pass receives.

The Giants are still struggling to find consistency in bringing the ball down court with turnovers from key ball carriers becoming a real issue. Post-match, Giants coach Nerida Stewart said there has been a breakdown in several areas on court and despite everything flowing nicely at training, the skills are not transferring to game day. Amy Sligar and Jodi-Ann Ward were the best in a beaten team.

Mary Cholhok had her best game for the Firebirds. Image: Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports

Lily Gribble debuted for the Firebirds. Image: Tash Rudd

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Thunderbirds 55 def Mavericks 48 (MVP: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey)

Thunderbirds maintained their unbeaten record to start the 2026 season, but they were made to work for it by Mavericks. In what was at times a scrappy game, both teams were able to upset their opponents’ attacking rhythm, and force turnovers. For Thunderbirds, it was the ever-reliable duo of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson that did most of the damage. They combined for 13 gains, seven intercepts, 14 deflections, and four rebounds.

Shimona Nelson, in particular, had a hard time against Sterling-Humphrey and finished the game with just 13 goals and seven general play turnovers in 33 minutes of netball. Jamie-Lee Price also had a disappointing game by her high standards, opposed to Kate Heffernan. For Mavericks, it was Reilley Batcheldor who stood up in attack and kept her team in the hunt.

Thunderbirds took the lead after five minutes and never relinquished it, but they weren’t able to dominate as they had in the first three rounds. The reason for that was the pressure applied by Jessie Grenvold and Kim Brown. Grenvold finished with seven gains, including six intercepts. In such a defence-dominated game, Elmere van der Berg was still able to shoot 41/45, enough to keep Thunderbirds in control, as they ran out seven goal winners.

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Fever 77 def Swifts 57 (MVP: Romelda Aiken-George)

West Coast Fever showed off their experience and flexibility, anchored by a remarkable game from green goaling machine Romelda AIken-George, The iconic Jamaican continues to flourish and set personal bests in her new environment, with a variety of assertive holds and takes. The Swifts midcourt and transition defence was disappointing, allowing the Fever feeders too many options, Aiken-George shooting 67/76 with seven rebounds.

Sasha Glasgow took on the majority of feeding responsibilities, ably assisted by Jordan Cransberg’s stunning lobs from well off the circle edge. Returning from injury, Zoe Cransberg teamed up strongly with her sister, demonstrating the versatility of the Fever team. In defence, a strong and consistent Fran Williams earned five gains and provided excellent leadership and transition.

Trailing 35-30 at half-time, Swifts’ coach Briony Akle made changes, but a rejigged attack line in the third quarter didn’t work, with Helen Housby benched and Grace Whyte moved from wing to goal attack. The changes led to a lack of connection and wasteful turnovers, the hosts going down 10-21 for the quarter to effectively put the result beyond doubt.

Romelda Aiken-George is pumped! Image: Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports

Nicola Barge made her debut for the Swifts. Image: Tash Rudd

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Vixens 70 def Lightning 59 (MVP: Kiera Austin)

The Vixens reminded us that the third quarter really is the championship quarter as they came from behind to remain undefeated in 2026. Lightning’s defensive pressure forced the home side into several errors early and disrupted their ability to capitalise. Tight body defence and cleaner hands meant Lightning were in control for much of the first half, leading by as much as seven goals, but Kiera Austin was able to slot 5 supershots to keep the margin to just one.

Vixens then asserted some superiority in the second half to run out 11-goal winners. Zara Walters replaced Hannah Mundy at wing attack during the second quarter and offered more give-and-go and drive to the ball. For Lightning, Liz Watson’s playmaking abilities were on show, serving Donnell Wallam (46/59) well. Gabby Sinclair debuted at goal attack for the Lightning in the third quarter, but she had just one unsuccessful attempt, and the Lightning lost some important momentum in her short time on court.

Austin continued to play a strong game for the four quarters, taking control of the attack end. Meanwhile, Vixens captain Kate Moloney was as steady as ever at centre. At the end of the game, Moloney said, “it’s great that we stayed in it”. However, to win against the likes of the Fever and the Thunderbirds, the Vixens will need to set the pace for the full 60-minutes, rather than be in chase mode to claw back a deficit.

Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin were happy about the result. Image: Aliesha Vicars

Courtney Bruce made life difficult for the Vixens in the second quarter. Image: Aliesha Vicars

Em Mannix comes up with the ball, despite Jo Weston and Cara Koenen’s best efforts. Image: Aliesha Vicars

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PLAYERS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE

Ruby Bakewell-Doran is having her best season. On Saturday, the Firebirds captain showed tenacity, game smarts and an incredible work rate. Most importantly, she was also economical with the ball, not giving away any turnovers and only conceded seven penalties, while producing nine gains. This season Bakewell-Doran has also added versatility to her resume by showing the same doggedness at wing defence which could be beneficial for her bid to don the Diamonds dress again.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran had a captain’s performance, and was rewarded with MVP. Image: Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports

In a match where Mavericks’ goal shooter Shimona Nelson struggled, it was her shooting partner Reilley Batcheldor who took control of the circle for her team, putting in a composed performance, one of her best in Super Netball. She finished with 15 goals, including six super shots, 10 assists, four rebounds, and two pickups. Considering that she was up against the formidable Thunderbirds defence, it was a promise of better things to come.

Vintage Liz Watson was on show against the Vixens. She offered her level-headedness and play-making court craft across the full 60-minutes, finishing with 28 centre pass receives, 24 feeds with an attempt, one gain, one intercept, and the highest net points of her team.

The short-and-sharp cut and drives and fast footwork of Zara Walters were integral to the Vixen’s win against the Lightning, continuing to cement herself as a valuable midcourt option for the championship side. She finished with 19 feeds with an attempt, 17 centre pass receives, one pickup, and just three penalties.

Grace Whyte is growing into a valuable midcourt piece for Swifts, having come through junior pathways as a shooter. In the first half at wing attack she put in a commanding performance, being ever-available, showing smart pass selection and timing for 12 goal assists, often from way off the circle and athletically dodging around the three-foot guard.

Romelda Aiken-George continues to wind back the clock with yet another career best performance. In an MVP outing for the Fever, the Jamaican finished with her highest numbers across 18 seasons of netball, with 67/76 (88%), 7 rebounds, and just 1 turnover. While Aiken-George is perhaps less mobile than she used to be, she’s every bit as valuable under the post.

Vintage Romelda Aiken-George turned in her highest ever score in an MVP performance. Image: Tash Rudd

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STAT CHAT

The round began with the Firebirds having a comprehensive win over a struggling Giants team. One of the stand out elements of the performance was their efficiency, particularly in the first two quarters. Incredibly, the Firebirds converted 94% of gains and turnovers (16/17) in the first half. That kind of conversion rate is almost unheard of. They dropped off somewhat in the second half, but by that stage, the damage was done, and they went on to win by 23 goals. That’s a 50-goal turnaround after losing by 27 to Thunderbirds in round 3. Firebirds finished the game with exactly 100 attempts, with 80% of those coming from Mary Cholhok (62/80).

Matisse Letherbarrow and Isabelle Shearer compete for the ball. Image: Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports

Thunderbirds won their fourth straight match in a scrappy battle against the Mavericks. Defensive pressure forced numerous mistakes from both teams. There were 30 general play turnovers in the first half before the teams settled down somewhat. Although Thunderbirds were not nearly as clinical as they had been in the first three rounds, their opponents found the going even tougher. Mavericks only converted 51% of their centre passes for the match. Their strategy to stay in touch was the super shot, but that proved risky, leading to a low shooting percentage (72%), and meaning that they gave up six missed goal turnovers. Thunderbirds had none.

A major factor in Fever’s big win over Swifts was their tidiness with ball in hand. Fever finished the match with just nine general play turnovers, compared to Swifts’ 19. That is impressive enough as it is, but even more so when you realise that both teams were level on seven turnovers at half time. Fever had just two general play turnovers in the second half while Swifts had 12. With that advantage, it’s no wonder they won the second half 42-27 and ran out 20 goal winners. Fever finished the match with a centre pass to goal rate of 88%. In fact, it was an astonishing 92% for the last three quarters.

Vixens maintained their unbeaten start to the season with an 11-goal win over Lightning. In a game which was competitive and tight in every other way, one decisive factor stood out – the use of the super shot. Vixens’ Kiera Austin landed 7/8 super shots at 87.5%, continuing her impressive form from two-point range this year (3/4, 4/4, 5/8). By contrast, Lightning’s Donnell Wallam struggled with 2/9, leading to several missed goal turnovers. Lightning doesn’t seem to know how to attack the power five. And it showed on the scoreboard. Vixens outscored Lightning 31-19 while the super shot was in play, meaning Lightning was actually a goal up (40-39) for the remaining 40 minutes of the match when it wasn’t.