The NSW Swifts are facing a massive final round clash with unbeaten Kiwi outfit Southern Steel as they battle to retain the coveted top spot in the trans Tasman netball league's Australian conference.
The Swifts needed the late injection of shooter Caitlin Thwaites to break clear on the Northern Mystics in the final quarter for a 59-53 win in Auckland on Sunday.
The win kept the Swifts (10-2) on top of the Australian conference but locked in a fierce duel with their arch rivals, the defending champion Queensland Firebirds.
The Firebirds (9-2) play their penultimate regular season clash with the Waikato Magic in Hamilton on Monday when a win would put them level on points with the Swifts.
The Swifts currently have a slightly better percentage (125.9 to 118.9) but likely need to overcome the Steel (11 wins, one draw) at home in Sydney on Saturday if they are to top the conference.
The Firebirds also have a tough final assignment against the third-best Australian team, West Coast Fever (7-5), but they beat them 62-51 back in May.
Whoever tops the conference gets a week off before playing in the conference final while the second and third placed teams battle for the other spot.
The return of skipper Kim Green from knee injury for the second half provided a real boost for the Swifts against the Mystics.
The scores were tied 41-41 with 15 minutes remaining before Swifts coach Rob Wright's decision to replace Susan Pettit (24 from 29) with Thwaites for the final quarter proved key.
Thwaites' extra height provided a real target for her feeders, and her accuracy was impressive as she sunk 13 from 13 to bring home the win.
The Mystics remain locked in a three-way battle with Mainland Tactix and Central Pulse for third in the New Zealand conference.
