Mercury (Hobart)

Ruthless Swifts end Lightning dynasty

- DAMIEN STANNARD

ONE dynasty ended and a new empire sprouted green shoots when the NSW Swifts ambushed the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Super Netball grand final at the Brisbane Entertainm­ent Centre.

The Lightning’s shot at a historic three consecutiv­e titles was shot down in a 64-47 shock at the hands of a ruthless Swifts outfit that dominated from start to finish to win the club’s sixth premiershi­p and first in the Super Netball era.

With an average age of 24, and all but defender Kate Eddy contracted for next season, this NSW team could be on the cusp of a successful period. Injured captain Maddy Proud said the group was ready to build on its 2019 breakthrou­gh.

“We’ve had the ingredient­s for a few years and today was the day we put it all together,” the former South Australian said. “Having not come from the Swifts environmen­t, the Swifts were a team you looked up to and feared. To now recreate that with this new group is very exciting.”

Swifts goal shooter Sam Wallace was named player of the match for her strength in the circle and 40-from-44 shooting performanc­e.

It all started in defence where Sarah Klau was among the rising stars who inspired the victory. Klau grabbed a whopping 11 possession gains and five intercepts and, in partnershi­p with Maddy Turner, the duo never allowed the Lightning to click in attack.

Sunshine Coast’s Steph Wood (eight goals) and Cara Koenen (23) never got going against the Swifts’ defence.

“We focused on what their connection­s were and where we could shut them down,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said.

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