The curtains are up for the Suncorp Super Netball 2023 as two games marked the opening round on Saturday evening. In one of the most-anticipated matches, the Collingwood Magpies went head-on with the NSW Swifts, claiming a dominant 71-63 victory. The Jamaican import for Collingwood, Shimona Nelson, was the star of the match with her perfect goals and wins. Jodi-Ann Ward, her teammate and MVP, earned her stripes with an excellent defensive game, forcing changes in the Swifts attacking end. In this article, we will recount all the highlights and lowlights of the first round in the Suncorp Super Netball 2023.
Important Details about Shimona Nelson stars for Magpies in Super Netball win over NSW Swifts –
– Super Netball is back for 2023 with two games on Saturday evening
– Jamaican import Shimona Nelson starred for the Magpies in their round one victory over the Swifts
– The Magpies beat the NSW Swifts 71-63
– Nelson was perfect with 53/53 goals, thanks to the defensive efforts of Jodi-Ann Ward
– Ward had four intercepts, seven deflections, and four pick-ups
– The Swifts rotated through their entire bench before halftime
– Youngster Teigan O’Shannassy disrupted the aerial game of Collingwood
– Sophie Garbin contributed 12/16 goals at goal attack for the Magpies
– Romelda Aiken-George returned to the Swifts
– Magpies mid-court Kelsey Browne and Molly Jovic outsmarted Diamonds duo Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud
– English international Geva Mentor showed her skills in her 21st season of elite netball.
Super Netball 2023: A Recap of Round One
The much-awaited Super Netball 2023 season is finally here, and we got to witness two thrilling games on Saturday evening. The opening round was full of excitement, and the teams were determined to start the season on a high note. In this article, we will recap the action from round one, giving you a glimpse of what went down.
Magpies vs. Swifts: A Comprehensive Victory
The defending champions, Collingwood Magpies, started their campaign with a comprehensive victory over their opponents, the NSW Swifts. The game saw a dominant performance from Jamaican import Shimona Nelson, who spearheaded the Magpies to a 71-63 victory. Nelson was in scintillating form, nailing a perfect 53/53 goals, thanks to the defensive efforts of her compatriot and MVP Jodi-Ann Ward.
Ward was the star of the show in the defensive end, with four intercepts, seven deflections, and four pick-ups. She forced changes in the Swifts attacking end, with legendary Romelda Aiken-George spending some time on the bench. Nelson and Aiken-George were both fighting for the second goal shooter spot on the Jamaican World Cup team, and Nelson’s showing against Australian goal-keeper Sarah Klau solidified her position at the top of the list.
The Swifts had a tough start, rotating through their entire bench before halftime, trying to stop the dominant Magpies. Despite having international players aplenty, the Swifts couldn’t find an answer to Collingwood’s onslaught. The one shining light for the Swifts was youngster Teigan O’Shannassy, who was injected during the second quarter and disrupted the aerial game that Collingwood had been playing with ease.
Despite Sophie Garbin’s dominance at goal shooter for Australia across the international season, Magpie coach Nathan Buckley pushed her out to goal attack, where she has historically struggled. Garbin had trouble connecting with her teammates after missing a chunk of preseason through injury. Still, once she settled into the game, she contributed 12/16 goals, including 6/7 super shots against her former side.
Buckley was quick to sing Garbin’s praises, saying, “Sophie was great for us at goal attack; there’s a lot of external noise about playing her at goal shooter, but when you’ve got someone like Nelson putting in the game she did today, why would you shift her? Sophie’s come a long way from Round 1 last year… and it’s great to see her shoot at range. We’ve done a lot of work in that space, and to see her get the rewards of that is pleasing to see.”
While the Swifts were able to better match Collingwood in the second half, the damage was already done after an uncharacteristic slow start, leaving the Swifts in chase mode for the whole match.
Romelda Returns
Romelda Aiken-George, the superstar Jamaican shooter, made her Super Netball return following the birth of her first child last year. While it was not a performance she will be adding to the highlight reel, her accuracy was an improvement to what we’ve seen in the past, and she will be hoping to return to her former dominance over the coming weeks.
Magpies Mid-Court Magic
Magpies Kelsey Browne and Molly Jovic ran rings around Diamonds duo Paige Hadley and Maddy Proud in the mid-court. Their speed and smarts left their opposition in the dust, giving them the time and space to find their shooters with ease.
Mentor of Old
Geva Mentor, the seasoned English international, showed why she has become a household name in her 21st season of elite netball. After a disappointing domestic and international campaign in 2022, Mentor means business in 2023 and was a standout performer in Round One.
Wrapping Up
Super Netball is back, and it’s great to see the teams battling it out on the court. Round one was full of excitement, thrills and spills, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates and recaps from the world of Super Netball.