Suncorp Super Netball semi-final preview: Liz Ellis welcomes rivalry between Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning
Australian netball icon Liz Ellis has welcomed the friction between the Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast lighting ahead of Sunday’s minor semi-final.
This week, Lightning captain Geva Mentor lit a fuse when she accused the Firebirds of disrespect, claiming they were undermining the presence of Queensland's other Super Netball team.
Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson adamantly denied those accusations as Ellis welcomed the war of words mounting ahead of the fiery fixture.
“I think it’s a great thing I love it, I love it,” Ellis said.
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“It’s good for the game and it creates that little bit of friction between the two teams.
“The fact of the matter is the Queensland teams have won the last 3 national league titles.
“They’ve had this monopoly on wining the past three seasons and the Firebirds didn’t like that the Lightning were dropped into their backyard. And they liked it even less last year that the Lighting won the title on their home court.
“It’s a really great rivalry and its only taken 18-months and there is already so much feeling in it.
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“I suspect that the winner of this game may even pop up in the final.
To do that however, they’ll have to take out the loser of the major semi-final between GWS Giants and West Coast fever.
Ellis lauded the heavyweight fixture and stressed the impact the dominance of Fever goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler would have on the outcome.
“Having Jhaniele Fowler come into goal shooter for the Fever this season has been an enormous boost for them, just her ability to score.
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“Just her ability to score means when their defensive end gets turnovers they know that it’s probably going to be finished off down the other end of the court.
“She’s given that confidence to the fever team across the court, they’ve all just stepped up because they know that goals are highly likely to come.
The GWS Giants will take on the West Coast Fever on Saturday at 3pm in the major semi-final while The Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast lighting will duke it out in the minor semi-final at 1pm on Sunday.
