3 minute read

The NSW Swifts are determined to stop their losing run and resurrect their Super Netball title defence when they take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Cairns.

The NSW Swifts are going all out to stop their losing Super Netball run when they meet the Adelaide Thunderbirds in their clash in Cairns on Saturday.

The defending champions have lost their past three matches to slide down the ladder to fourth and are six points clear of the chasing Giants with two rounds to play.

Melbourne Vixens have locked in the minor premiership, with Sunshine Coast Lightning and West Coast Fever filling in the other finals spots.

While it's unlikely they will lose to both Adelaide and the Giants in the last fixture before the finals, the Swifts' recent form means there are no guarantees.

They are also currently the most penalised team in the league and have conceded the third most goals per game.

Swifts defender Maddy Turner says the team talked about what's on the line.

"We have, and our aim this week is to play some good netty as we think we haven't hit our straps yet," said Turner, who made her Diamonds debut last year.

"We want to play some really pretty netball and get the win."

Turner said her side needed to overcome the mental fatigue of the condensed season, where teams are playing twice weekly.

She said her team had identified their start as key against the Thunderbirds, who are seventh.

"They have nothing to lose and will want to finish the season on a high.

"They have the ability to mix it up and will keep us on own toes."

Turner said her team still had confidence about going all the way, as long as they cemented a finals berth.

In other round 13 matches, the Fever and Giants meet in the early game on Saturday at the pop-up court in Cairns, while the Vixens and Firebirds also play there on Sunday.

Collingwood fell to the Lightning 53-63 in a Thursday night game played in Townsville, with this round the first played in regional Queensland.