The first of just two losses this season for the Melbourne Vixens on their way to the minor premiership became a critical signpost in the pursuit of the Super Netball championship now within sight. It was round two, away, against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, and a six-goal defeat that vice-captain Liz Watson regards as the catalyst for much of what has followed.
Kristina Brice has been a second-half superstar for the Giants en route to Saturday's elimination final against the Magpies.
The only numbers that concern Madi Robinson on Super Netball's inaugural semi-final weekend are the scoreboard digits she hopes will be sufficient to extend the Magpies' season for at least another week.
They consistently score more goals than anyone else. They consistently score more goals from their centre pass. They consistently punish teams who cough up possession. But can they win the Championship?
Swifts coach Rob Wright has turned his attention to retaining his playing roster after their season ended on Saturday.
Collingwood have survived a big second-half scare to down the Adelaide Thunderbirds 49-47 in a Super Netball thriller at Titanium Security Arena.
Melbourne Vixens have claimed the inaugural Super Netball minor premiership with a 68-42 thrashing of West Coast Fever at Perth Arena.
The Giants will play the Magpies next weekend in an elimination final after losing by a point to Sunshine Coast.
The Queensland Firebirds have made it two wins in two weeks in Sydney after downing the Swifts by 19 points.
EON sports, the digital 24-7 sports radio network, has been forced to abandon local programming due to cost issues.
Let's start with a hypothetical: what would happen if Sharni Layton played against herself? "Oh my God. One of me would die," says the Magpies defender. "It's true. Because I'm that competitive and I'm not giving a crap and the other me's not giving a crap. Like, shit could get real."
Jo Harten will be up against one of her toughest ever opponents when the Giants host Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
"I hate that term 'premiership favourites'," says coaching legend and club patron Joyce Brown.
Swifts coach Rob Wright is determined to make every post a winner at the Fast5 tournament later this year.
Star Australian netballer Renae Ingles will retire after this weekend's final round of Super Netball.
There are big question marks on goal attack and goal defence in the Australian team.
One loss was a rare enough occurrence for the Melbourne Vixens. Two in succession, with top spot to play for on the eve of the Super Netball finals? Simply not happening.
The Giants are still tinkering with their attacking set-up just two weeks out from the Super Netball finals.
The Queensland Firebirds have upset the Giants to blow the Super Netball minor premiership race wide open.
Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis does not believe some kind of pre-finals let-down was inevitable after a stellar eight-game winning sequence, but nor does she think last Sunday's round-12 loss that conceded top spot to the Giants has come without a potential silver lining.
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