Will the tide turn?

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

We’ve arrived at Round 3, four teams will go head-to-head this weekend with the remaining four to clash next week. 
 
The winless Mavericks and GIANTS are both desperate for the tide to turn their way with the sides to open Round 3 on Sunday afternoon. 

The GIANTS head into the game on a seven-match losing streak, their longest in history which they’ll be dying to break. 

We’ve seen flashes of dominance from both sides over the last two weeks but neither has been able to get the job done. 

The time to step up though is now. 

Every win counts and could be the difference between playing finals and missing out come the pointy end of the season, something both teams are acutely aware of having missed out last year. 

The Mavericks fell short at the hand of super shots last week and will need to be more accurate this weekend to defeat the GIANTS who shot seven last week via the hot hands of Matisse Letherbarrow and Jo Harten. 

 
Tracey Neville and her crew will have faith in their shooters though with Shimona Jok’s one-goal game strong under the post and Sasha Glasgow, should she play, after not finishing last week’s match strong from range as are both their training partner options. 
 
This match is likely to come down to who can shoot more accurately when it counts, and which team can turn over ball to provide their goalers with golden opportunities.  

The last time these two met it was a thriller with the GIANTS defeating the Mavericks by a goal. 
 
Both teams threw their everything at each other then and they’ll no doubt do the same again on Sunday to avoid dropping further down the ladder. 
 
Then, the competition’s leaders battle for top spot. 

The Thunderbirds currently have the throne, but the Swifts are tracking along nicely and are in prime position to steal their crown. 

The Thunderbirds are on their longest winning streak in SSN history and will be hoping to add to it this weekend in front of their home crowd. 

But the Swifts have never lost a Round 3 SSN clash and will be aiming to spoil their party.  

 
Having survived a scare from the Mavericks last weekend by putting their foot down late, the Swifts will carry some confidence into the match.  

The super shot skills of Helen Housby were too slick for the Melbourne side and those skills are going to come in handy this weekend against the Thunderbirds. 

While last weekend was smoother sailing for the reigning champs who pushed through a tight first half contest with the Lightning to run away winners. 

For all the super shots Housby can slot, the Thunderbirds’ own Georgie Horjus, Lauren Frew and Lucy Austin will know they’re capable of matching her. 
 
Throughout 2024, the Swifts were unable to break through the Thunderbirds defensive pressure but with the dynamic duo of Grace Nweke and Housby in the goal circle and powerhouses Paige Hadley and Verity Simmons feeding them expect the margin to be close this weekend. 

In defence, Teigan O’Shannasy, Sharni Lambden and Sarah Klau were influential last weekend for the Swifts and will come out swinging against the reigning premiers. 

The Thunderbirds, know the task at hand, they’ve done it time and time again the past few seasons. 

Defeat the Swifts. 

The last time the Swifts defeated the Thunderbirds during an SSN season was 2022. 
 
At some point momentum will swing back the other way and this weekend has the potential to be the turning point. 

In defence, the reigning premiers have the advantage, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey leads the league for gains and deflections with her partners in crime Latanya Wilson and Matilda Garrett also high on the stats sheet. 

But which team has shot the most goals? 

The Swifts. 

It’s hard to predict which way this match will swing but one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be entertaining from start to finish. 
 
Next weekend Round 3 will continue with the Lightning to take on the in-form Firebirds and the Vixens will come up against a hungry West Coast Fever.