By Stephanie Smarrelli
This weekend of netball is certain to deliver some epic showdowns and thrilling individual match ups when two of the competition heavyweights battle it out on the court.
While what's happening on the court is usually front and centre, during Round 4 we will focus on what's happening off it.
This weekend marks the leagues' annual Inclusion Round with each home club choosing to champion inclusion by supporting causes that reflect their team and organisation’s values.
It is the second year Inclusion Round has featured on the fixture with the aim to celebrate netball as a sport for everyone.
While the teams will be united in championing inclusion there will be no shortage of rivalries and action-packed match ups on the court.
Here's what you can expect from Round 4, including the blockbuster you can't miss.
CAN THE SWIFTS HALT THE FEVER’S RUN?
If there's one match sports fans don't want to miss, it's Sunday's encounter between the West Coast Fever and NSW Swifts.
The ladder leaders are set to go head-to-head with the Swifts this week.If their last two encounters are anything to go by, the battle between the two sides promises to be ferocious.
At Suncorp Team Girls Cup in February, the Fever claimed victory by just two-goals, while during last year's preliminary final the Swifts ended Fever's run for premiership glory.
The Fever remain undefeated at the top of the table but the Swifts are steadily climbing. The Fever are yet to be truly challenged this season with the Mavericks last week the only opposition to get within single digits of the WA team.
While the Swifts proved they’ve learned their lessons from 2023 showing true grit and determination to come back from eight goals and win in extra time.
To win this week the Swifts will need to work together in the midcourt and defence to keep Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld and Kelsey Browne under control. The pair dominated in Round 3 with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard almost impossible to stop in the goal circle.
While the Fever will need to pay close attention to Helen Housby. The dangerous goaler has slotted an average of seven Suncorp Super Shots per match this season and her work outside of the circle opens space for her shooting partners. Most likely to be tasked with minimalising Housby’s impact will be Fever defender Sunday Aryang. The match up will be scintillating to watch but Housby may also find herself head-to-head with England Roses teammate Fran Williams.
Defender Sunday Aryang will need to keep Helen Housby away from the Suncorp Super Shot zone.The battle between the Fever and Swifts could swing either way, with history showing that both sides can remain cool under pressure to execute their game plans until the final whistle.
HOW THE REST OF INCLUSION ROUND IS SHAPING UP
The Mavericks have another opportunity to make history and get their first win.
But standing in their way is the Sunshine Coast Lightning who will be ruing last week’s loss to the Thunderbirds.
Sitting sixth and seventh on the ladder, the sides both need the win if they hope to remain in touch with the top four teams.
Last year's premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds will host the GIANTS who are still searching for their first win of the season.
For the GIANTS, there’s no sugarcoating it, they desperately need to win following an almost 20-goal loss to the Vixens last week. They looked well off their best, something the side will need to rectify if they have any chance of challenging the top teams this season.
The GIANTS need to bounce back following their loss to the Vixens in Round 3.Then on Sunday the Vixens will welcome the Firebirds to the John Cain Arena fortress.
The Vixens are still undefeated, and they’ll feel confident at home in front of a packed house.
The Firebirds though, can not be underestimated. While they've only banked one win so far, they’ve been putting all the pieces of the puzzle together week by week. They came close to toppling the Swifts last weekend, but their inexperience showed in extra time.
If the Firebirds can get on top of the Vixens by disrupting their clinical play and keep their cool under pressure then there could be an upset on Sunday afternoon.
For more information about the league’s Inclusion Round and the club’s chosen initiatives click here.
