The 2023 Australian Netball Championships got underway on Monday, with 11 teams from around the country battling it out for gold at Morayfield Sports and Events Centre on Kabi Kabi Country.
The Victorian Fury started their campaign valiantly but fell short to an impressive QBE Swifts Academy outfit.
Q1 | Fury 15 – 20 Swifts
The Victorian Fury got off to a hot start with sharpshooter Emily Andrew sinking the first goal, but multiple turnovers alongside the Swifts’ accuracy in the circle saw the Victorians trail by five at the end of the first quarter. Midcourter Zara Walters was impressive, showcasing her court coverage and pinpoint passing throughout the quarter, while Andrew had a great 15 minutes under the post. Alison Miller and Sophie Fawns combined well in attack for the Swifts with 20 goals between them.
Q2 | Fury 25 – 36 Swifts
Another impressive quarter from the Swifts saw them extend their lead to 11 goals in the second quarter. The Fury cleaned up their passing game early in the term, but the Swifts’ defensive pressure continued to cause turnovers as the clock ticked down. Taylah Brown had a solid 15 minutes in the midcourt, while Emily Andrew had another great quarter in and around the circle. Swifts’ Sophie Fawns proved to be a handful for the Fury defence, tallying 10 goal assists for the half and slotting multiple long-range goals.
Q3 | Fury 39 – 52 Swifts
The Swifts continued to assert dominance across the court, further extending their lead to 13 goals going into the final 15 minutes. Swifts’ Lili Gorman-Brown was near unstoppable in wing attack and led goal assists by the end of the third quarter. Suffocating pressure from the Swifts made it hard for the Fury to get the ball into their goal third, but Emily Andrew continued to fight hard under the post when it came her way.
Q4 | Fury 54 – 66 Swifts
A valiant final quarter from the Fury saw the Victorians bring back the margin to 12 goals by the final whistle. Fury goaler Lily Graham came on in the fourth quarter and made an immediate impact with back-to-back goals, while Emily Andrew continued her dominant performance with 38 throughout the match. Fury defenders Charlotte Sexton and Maggie Caris gave it their all against a solid Swifts attack, but were unable to contain Alison Miller who scored an unbelievable 45 goals.
BY THE NUMBERS
Sharpshooter Emily Andrew was outstanding under the post for the Fury, scoring 38 goals from 41 attempts in the side’s tough loss. Zara Walters was also impressive with 24 goal assists throughout the match.
UP NEXT
Fury will take on Tasmania Wild at 11am AEST tomorrow. Fury will be hoping to bounce back, while the Wild kick off their ANC campaign.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch every match live and free on Kayo Freebies
View the full fixture
