Round 11 smallest in CBT history

No other round in Commonwealth Bank Trophy history has had as few games as Round 11. Rather than the usual four, there are only two netball matches on offer this week.

The lack of matches this week is because most of the Canberra Darters side has gone to Fort Lauderdale, USA to represent Australia at the Under 21 Netball World Championships, and because the Queensland Firebirds, Hunter Jaegers and Melbourne Phoenix have all played an early extra game against the Canberra side to accommodate their international schedule.

But die-hard netball fans don’t despair, we’re left with two interesting match ups between the Orioles and the Swifts, and the Thunderbirds and the Kestrels.

Friday Night, July 22
Sydney Swifts vs Perth Orioles
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre – 7:30pm.

Both of these sides have lost their star Goal Defenders: the Swifts’ Mo’onia Gerrard injured her knee playing against New Zealand last month, and the Orioles’ Sam Lee has just announced her pregnancy and her plan to sit out the rest of the season.

However, the similarities end there. The Swifts have been undefeated all season and look to stay that way. The Orioles, though much improved in 2005, are sitting equal fifth on the ladder.

And while the Perth side are a determined bunch, this game will include the match up of Australia’s most experienced defensive pairing of Liz Ellis and Ali Broadbent who have amassed an impressive 269 games for the Swifts between them, against Australia’s newest shooting combination of Janelle Lawson and Nikala Smit, who have played a combined total of 40 games for the Orioles.

The Orioles should give the Swifts a run for their money, but I tip the Sydney side to prevail without a problem.

Tip: Swifts by 16.

Friday Night
Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Kestrels
ETSA Park, Adelaide – 8:00pm.

This round the in-form Thunderbirds will have to play without their consistently accurate Goal Attack, Natalie Medhurst, who is representing Australia at the Netball World Championships. But this shouldn’t phase the Thunderbirds who have Nat Avellino to fill in against the Kestrels.

While Avellino is considered the national trickster who has timing and ball placement that you can’t teach, she also spent many years as a goal shooter and the Thunderbirds shouldn’t lose any momentum with her leading their goal charge.

The Thunderbirds rivals’, the Kestrels, got hammered last round 63-48 by their cross-town compatriots, the Melbourne Phoenix, and will want to put in a solid performance if they are to make the top four before finals.

The promising form of Kestrels goalers’ Cynna Neele (30 goals from 38 attempts at 79%) and Andrea Booth (12 from 13 at 92%) last week suggests that this game should be competitive. Despite this, I tip the Thunderbirds for a clear win.

Tip: Thunderbirds by 11.

Note: All start times Local unless stated.

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