Magpies backed for title

SWIFTS coach Rob Wight believes the Collingwood Magpies will be one of the biggest movers and shakers of the late season, forecasting the preseason favourites will fly from fourth place to be vying for the first ever Super Netball crown in June.

That’s the verdict of the coach who lost two stars to the powerhouse club in the offseason in Sharni Layton and Caitlin Thwaites, who was an interested bystander as the Magpies beat the Giants in Round 9 on Sunday.

But when it comes to who the revitalised Magpies will face in the season finale, Wright is still hedging his bets.

With his young side out of the running for a spot in the semi-finals after its weekend loss to the Vixens, Wright believes the current four best teams in the competition will fill the semi-final spots.

This means the Firebirds, which went into the season as the ANZ championship winners, will miss the cut.

“I think the four in the four will stay in the four,’’ Wright said.

“And I think all four, on their day, have shown they can win the title.

“Collingwood, if they sort things out with their goal attack, they are a juggernaut.

“You won’t want to be playing them. In five weeks’ time they will be scarify good.’’

The Melbourne Vixens (7 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw) took the competition lead off the Giants after the NSW side suffered only its second loss of the year.

Lighting, also boasting a 7-1-1 record, moved into second place on goal percentage with the Giants (7-2) dropping to third place.

The Magpies round out the four with a 5-4 win/loss record.