It had been 21 matches and 15 months since the Queensland Firebirds had tasted defeat, but the NSW Swifts ended that run in spectacular fashion with a 58-54 come-from-behind win before a record trans-Tasman netball crowd in Sydney.
The Firebirds were well placed to continue their streak after claiming a four-point lead at the halfway point but, backed by the raucous 13,304 home crowd, the Swifts showed fortitude to earn a famous victory.
The Swifts had failed to beat the Queenslanders in their past six clashes, most notably the heartbreaking one-point loss in the 2015 grand final, and they had to make do without their captain Kimberlee Green who failed a late fitness test.
Significantly, the win moves the Swifts narrowly clear of the Firebirds on the Australian Conference ladder on goal percentage.
Down 26-22 at halftime, Swifts coach Rob Wright took a chance by removing prolific goal shooter Caitlin Thwaites for Stephanie Wood.
Susan Pettitt was impressive throughout for the Swifts, scoring 33 from 39, while Thwaites contributed 10 from 14 and Wood 15 from 19.
"The attacking change was a bit of a gamble and it paid off," said Wright. "I felt momentum wasn't really with us (at halftime)."
"A very mobile shooter combo is not something many teams get to experience a lot, and at four down we thought it was worth trying something different."
Wright said his side had benefited from their 10-point loss against the Firebirds in Brisbane last month.
"Sometime when you lose, you learn a whole lot more," Wright said.
"There was certain areas we didn't do well last time.
"They are probably still the best team in the competition, so we need to find a way to keep improving."
Pettitt paid tribute to the record crowd as a factor in the Swifts' fightback.
"I don't usually hear the crowd but that last five minutes was definitely special," she said.
The Firebirds played their part in a memorable, high-intensity match between two fiercely competitive teams.
The contest between Swifts defender Sharni Layton and Jamaican superstar Romelda Aiken was a highlight, with the Firebirds key attacker contributing an impressive 46 goals from 51 attempts.
Firebirds skipper Laura Geitz said the Swifts were worthy winners.
"We had our chances in the first half but we couldn't capitalise, and we couldn't get over the line in the end there," he said.
"We were just outplayed. They were first to any loose ball and had great pressure all over the court.
"They don't make many errors (in attack), and we did so that was probably the underlining factor.""
Share
