Battle of Queensland to produce title winner
AUSTRALIAN Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says the winner of Sunday’s suddendeath semi-final between the Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning can go all the way and win the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball title.
Alexander has coached, or coached against, a majority of the players in the star-studded starting line-ups which will go toe-to-toe in the “Sunshine Shootout” at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Alexander believes homecourt advantage gives the Firebirds an edge in what should be a thriller between the teams that have collectively won the last three national league grand finals.
Regardless of who claims victory, she says the winner can do more damage in the finals series and would not fear a match-up with the GWS Giants or West Coast Fever the following week.
The Firebirds and Lightning had their share of close losses during the regular season to finish in the bottom half of the top four behind the minor premier Giants and Fever.
But Alexander says ladder positions are now irrelevant.
She said big game experience along with top-end talent counts for everything — something both the Firebirds and Lightning have in spades.
“Whoever wins has a genuine chance to win it all, particularly the Firebirds who have played well against both the Giants and Fever in recent times,’’ Alexander said.
“Lightning have got their act together too in the last half of the season … Noeline (Taurua, Lightning coach) showed us last year that she gets her team to play well when it counts.
“Both teams had their issues at the start of the season but have come good. The Firebirds have settled down quite nicely and have got some really good connections happening.
“They are a real chance should they get through.’’