'Weren't good enough': History made in Super Netball finals humiliation
Updated . First published at
NSW Swifts coach Briony Akle was extremely disappointed by her side's crushing 32-goal capitulation to the West Coast Fever in the Super Netball's major semi final at Perth's RAC Arena on Sunday.
The one-sided result marked the biggest winning margin in the league's history, with the Fever achieving the highest score in a final and the highest-scoring quarter in a final with 26 goals in the second quarter.
Having secured the minor premiership with 12 victories from 14 matches this season, the Fever won every quarter to build on the record 77-45 scoreline and book their place in the big dance on Saturday, August 2.
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Goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard starred for the Fever with 66 goals.
Allie Smith of the Swifts reacts during the major semi final against the Fever. James Worsfold via Getty Images
With co-captain Paige Hadley ruled out of the match with a lower leg injury and rising star Teigan O'Shannassy out of the finals series with a back injury, the Swifts came into the match under pressure.
The match also marked youngsters Freddie Schneideman and Grace Whyte's first Super Netball final, and marquee Kiwi recruit Grace Nweke's first final Down Under.
However, Akle rejected any excuses for her side's performance.
"We just weren't good enough," she told media during her post-match press conference.
"We didn't turn up against them, so hats off to them."
Akle put the team's struggles down to their 30-15 turnover count, saying it "was not good enough."
The Swifts had no response to the Fever's dominance, with Akle using all 10 of her players in an effort to find the right combination.
Akle also called out poor player accountability, regardless of their inexperience, believing they failed to do their job.
Nweke finished the match with 23 goals at 82 per cent accuracy, a stat Akle acknowledged she would be dissatisfied with.
"She's 23 – I think people forget she's a 23-year-old out there," Akle said of Nweke.
"She's not 33, she's not 28 – she's 23 playing in her first season of SSN.
"She wouldn't be happy with her performance. She wants 50-goals plus, but that's not reality in the world's best netball sometimes.
Grace Nweke of the Swifts looks to pass. Grace Nweke
"There's nothing physically wrong with her.
"Watch out next week because she'll come back."
The Swifts will now host the Vixens in the preliminary final on Sunday following their 59-56 win over reigning champions the Thunderbirds.
Akle was confident the team could rectify these issues to push for a grand final berth.
"Every team is going to have a game like that somewhere in a career – it's how you respond, how we get back up and we fight again," she said.
It is hoped that Hadley will return sometime in the finals series.
