Klau a lightning rod as Swifts cause a boilover
ONE dynasty ended and a new empire sprouted when the NSW Swifts ambushed the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Super Netball grand final yesterday 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 11 possession gains and five intercepts, and, in partnership with Maddy Turner, never allowed the Lightning to click in attack.
Sunshine Coast goalers Steph Wood (eight goals) and Cara Koenen (23) never got going against the Swifts’ fierce defence.
“We really focused on what their connections were and where we could shut them down,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said.
“I thought we did that really early on.”
It was a hollow farewell for Sunshine Coast’s founding coach, Noeline Taurua, whose tenure at the expansion club is now over.
The defeat may also be the final act in Australia’s national league for off-contract Lightning star Laura Langman, who 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. They played really well and deserved the win and we weren’t in the play from the start,” Taurua said.
As hard as Langman ran, she could not will her side any closer on the scoreboard. With every touch of the ball she gave the Sunshine Coast energy, but by early in the final term the margin had blown out to 12 goals.