SWIFTS BRING END TO LIGHTNING RUN

NETBALL:ETBALL: One dynasty ended and a new empire sprouted green shoots when the NSW Swifts ambushed the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Suncorp 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.

Sarah Klau starred in defence. She 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 goalers Steph Wood (eight goals) and Cara Koenen (23) never got going.

It was a hollow farewell for Sunshine Coast’s founding coach Noeline Taurua whose tenure at the expansion club is now over. Off-contract Lightning star Laura Langman has yet to declare her plans for 2020.

“You’ve always got to give respect to the opposition and I thought they were sublime right from the start,” Taurua said.