Swifts too powerful for Firebirds

Round 12 was never going to be easy for the Queensland Firebirds, with the competition cellar dwellers taking on competition leaders, the Sydney Swifts.

Although the Swifts ran home victors with a 64 – 46 scoreline, the Firebirds gave their strong supporter base something to cheer about, by putting out a strong performance in the second half, and winning their final quarter against the reigning premiers.

The Swifts started the game in devastating form, racing out to an early 6–1 lead. The Firebirds attack had no answers for an impressive swifts defence end, which forced the home side into making many unforced errors and basic mistakes. The pressure applied by Swifts mid-courters Nardia Fitzgerald and Selina Gilsenan ensured the Firebirds attackers struggled to get the ball anywhere near their shooters.

Down the other end, Swifts attackers Catherine Cox, Megan Anderson, and Sarah Barret were turning on the razzle – dazzle, and producing some breathtaking passages of play which caught the Firebirds defence unguarded. A strong performance by all seven Swifts players ensured they went to the quarter time break with an 18–9 lead.

In the second quarter, the Swifts introduced Adelaide Johnson at GK, with Liz Ellis and Alison Broadbent moving forward to GD and WD respectively. Johnson didn’t disappoint, using her long arms to gain touches on the ball, and frustrate the Firebirds shooters. Likewise, Ellis appeared to relish the opportunity to have a run in the centre- third, using the extra space to take some magnificent trademark intercepts.

Firebirds shooters Carla Dziwoki and Alissa Castrisos put out an improved performance in the second quarter, and managed to find some more space for themselves in the goal circle. However, this wasn’t enough to stem the dominance of the Swifts, who went to the half time break with a 35-18 lead.

The third quarter saw Ellis and Broadbent return to their tradition positions, while Erin Bell replaced Catherine Cox at GS. The absence of Cox resulted in some increased hesitancy in the swifts goal circle, with the Firebirds defenders taking full advantage of some poor shooting and indecisive movement by the Swifts shooters.

Ellis continued her good form, intercepting and deflecting everything within reach, however many of the opportunities she created were wasted by a Swifts attacking end who were struggling to find their rhythm. Firebirds defenders Mel Mckenzie and Peta Stephens took full advantage of these opportunities, with the third quarter marking an overall improvement by the home team.

The final quarter saw mammoth shooter Karyn Bailey entering the game at GS for the Firebirds, and having a huge impact, shooting 9/9 – 100% for the quarter. Ellis and Broadbent struggled to adjust to the change of style that Bailey brought to the Firebirds, while the Swifts attackers put out an unconvincing and scrappy display down the other end of the court. The Firebirds won the final quarter 16 – 15, giving their large home crowd something to cheer about, and their highly – rated opposition something to think about!

Firebirds GS Carla Dziwoki was an accurate target for her team, shooting 20/21 – 91%. However, the efforts of the swifts circle defenders for the first three quarters resulted in her being starved of possession. The Firebirds came away from the game with a higher shooting percentage (88%) than the Swifts (83%) however it was the lack of opportunities which cost them dearly.

Catherine Cox top scored for the game, shooting 35/40 – 88%, while Liz Ellis displayed her defensive prowess by taking a phenomenal eleven intercepts for the match.

Next week the Firebirds face the Melbourne Kestrels in Geelong, while the Swifts will need to step up a gear and put out an elusive four quarter performance if they are to keep their unbeaten season alive, when they take on the in form Melbourne Phoenix.

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