And the sports action doesn’t stop there - join the redoubtable Jonathan Howcroft over on our Ashes liveblog, as Australia faces a backs-to-the-wall effort to salvage the fifth and final Test at the Oval:
Summary
In expert commentary the great Shane Heal summed it all up for the Boomers. “I’ve been there twice (finishing fourth at a major tournament) - and you never really get over it”. A gut-punch of a finish for a team of warriors who gave so much over the past fortnight, but on balance of play you’d have to say France were deserving winners.
And that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch on this day of huge contrasts. Boomers fans will be heartbroken, but the pubs around Parramatta will be heaving. It’s been a long time between drinks in the NRL for Eels fans - and what a treat witnessed in Parramatta as their team ran out 58-0 winners - yes, 58-0, over the Broncos. Bring on the Storm next week in Melbourne.
And of course earlier, a huge upset in the Super Netball grand final as the Sunshine Coast Lightning were denied a three-peat by a resurgent Sydney Swifts. A much deserved premiership after so long in the netball wilderness!
Contrasting emotions - big wins and tough losses. That’s Sportswatch!
We wondered what that double-overtime loss to Spain took out of the Boomers just 48 hours ago, well that final quarter-and-a-half was the answer.
Out to a 15 point lead at one stage the Boomers were sitting high and dry. Gobert and Fournier were spluttering, but the other French stars stood tall, and too many in green & gold had just hit empty.
An unbelievable tournament - unbelievable effort - but they finish, as they have so often in the past - in fourth place. Heroic effort from the Boomers. Close, but no cigar.
Full-time: France 67-59 Australia
Sacre bleu. It’s De Colo who slips his defenders. Dellavedova eyes a three, but he can’t land it. Batum is fouled and goes to the stripe. Goulding with the last play, but he’s lost it.
And that’s it: France have won the Basketball World Cup bronze medal!
Updated
Final quarter 9 min: France 64-59 Australia
What a cruel game basketball is. They’re still giving it everything, the Boomers - but the sweat and blood they’ve put into this tournament, and in about 40 seconds time it could all be over - and they’ll finish empty-handed!
Mills with a big 3! Can they find something? France call timeout.
Final quarter 9 min: France 63-56 Australia
No waaaaay! It’s Albicy - from three range! This is incredible. He goes pointless for about 35 minutes, and then steps up at the death to drain three consecutive 3 pointers! Unbelievable.
Forget Fournier, forget Gobert - it’s been the De Colo and Albicy show. Amazing stuff.
Final quarter 8 min: France 60-56 Australia
Mills looks to dribble to give himself room, and he’s fumbled off his heel back into halfcourt. Ach. Put that down to fatigue - he’s been nearly flawless for two weeks, Patty!
De Colo with a huge steal. France ball in hand 80 seconds to play.
Final quarter 8 min: France 60-56 Australia
And Gobert has scored his first points of the game! With 90 seconds to play. Ridiculous!
Lemanis calls his final time out. What can the Boomers come up with from the tactics board?
Final quarter 8 min: France 58-56 Australia
16 turnovers for Australia. It’s been their Achilles heel all tournament - maybe trying to force the play on too many occasions. France’s game from here you’d fear unless they can pull out something very special. Dellavedova fouls Fournier, France to feed with just over two minutes to play.
Final quarter 7 min: France 58-56 Australia
Fournier with a great drive. He’s been missing for 10 minutes or so, but he’s back when it matters. Nic Kay chimes in with another two - how good has he been both against Spain and now France. And would you believe it - it’s Albicy with another three!
Final quarter 5 min: France 53-54 Australia
Nice from Bogut - great touch off a Mills feed. Can he lift the Boomers? Now it’s Albicy with a bomb outside the arc! Where’s he been all night - that’s his first points.
Mills drives to the basket, this is better from Patty. France miss and Australia with a chance, but Kay’s shot is knocked away. Game on!
Final quarter 4 min: France 50-50 Australia
Delly with the layoff to Mills, and it’s a key score for Patty. We’re back level and France go to the timeout.
De Colo is remarkably now the game’s point-leader, alongside Ingles with 17 each. Poirier and Batum with a useful eight and seven each.
Final quarter 3 min: France 50-48 Australia
Wowee wow. De Colo bombs another huge three! Forget Fournier - this is the man who’s getting it done. Who needs a 8-0 team run, when you can have an 8-0 scoring run by an individual player! Wild. Nic Kay with a settling two. They needed that Australia.
Final quarter 1 min: France 47-46 Australia
Oh my! It’s De Colo with a big three to start the final. They’re coming home hot, France. Dellavedova looks to respond fire, but he’s missed his 3pt attempt. Now it’s the Fenerbache star from the stripe, and he lands 2/2 to put the French in front! Incroyable.
Three-quarter-time: France 42-46 Australia
Baynes misses from the jump shot - it’s not an ideal play. Mills back on court - what can he find for the final minute. Dellavedova with a bucket - very important at this stage, and then it’s Mills with the block! Great defensive play from one of the smallest guys on the court.
A huge final quarter to come. They’re looking flat, the Boomers. Big lift needed.
Updated
Third quarter 9 min - France 42-44 Australia
It’s a 12-4 scoring run to the World No 3 team, ooh la la! Ingles looks for a three, but can’t land it - and then it’s Poirier again with a massive dunk!
Lemanis calls a timeout. Mills has sat out a lot of this quarter - is he carrying a minor knock? They’ve had some shabby third quarters during this tournament, the Boomers, but this has been the worst, hands down.
Third quarter 8 min - France 38-44 Australia
Goulding misses the layout, and then Poirier slams down the dunk! Here they come! Ingles hits a necessary 2pt-er, before De Colo helps himself for France, coast to coast. My, oh my. They were out by 15 and France have just eaten into this lead. De Colo again. The other stars are standing up, with Fournier and Gobert playing cold.
Third quarter 6 min - France 32-42 Australia
Baynes from tight under the ring for two! Fournier fires from three, but misses. Goulding called for an unsportsmanlike foul for a body-check on Fournier off the ball. Eep - they can’t hand France momentum here, the Boomers. He only hits 1/2 but then it’s Batum from outside the arc! Bomb. Four-point play for the French and Lemanis calls a time out.
Third quarter 5 min - France 28-40 Australia
Terrific desperation from Creek! He’s sprinted full-court to deny De Colo from behind on the lay up, but he’s hurt himself on a hoarding. Let’s hope he’s okay for the Boomers.
Third quarter 4 min - France 28-40 Australia
Big dunk Batum! Mills fires from three range - close, but no cigar! Landale with a tip in, Delly assist. And finally - Fournier with a big bucket from 3pt range! They needed that, France. Remarkably he’s 1/9 from 2pt range, 2/2 from three.
Third quarter 2 min - France 23-38 Australia
Delly drives at Fournier - France’s star is on three personal fouls, so the Boomers will look to target him. He tries at the other end, Fournier but the defence is too good. Ingles goes around Gobert - and he gives his Utah Jazz teammate a bit of lip! We saw this during the second round clash - is there a bit of niggle between these NBA teammates? Ingles takes the 1pt extra from the stripe.
Great start, Boomers. They’re out to a game-high 15 lead.
Second half!
We’re back on court and it’s first points from Kay - just as in the first half! Bogut the assist, and he’s fouled en route! Adds one from the stripe.
Half-time: France 21-30 Australia
Gobert misses the last of the half, but it’s Ingles with the final score from Australia! Good D from Bogut at the end - the French wanted a foul.
Ingles 12 points, Mills with eight and Fournier eight as well, but shooting 2/9. France need him to lift.
Second quarter 9 min - France 21-28 Australia
Fournier sinks a three! Is he finding his range? Meanwhile Ingles grabs another two - he’s the best on court so far tonight, Jingles. Dellavdeova draws a foul from Gobert. He’s so tough, mentally, Delly - he’s a terrier. And big Rudy looks a bit off it tonight. Dellavdeova pulls up short on a shot but he hustles and harries Fournier to slow the quick transition! What energy.
Second quarter 7 min - France 18-26 Australia
Ingles again with two - he’s in a mood tonight, which is promising for Australian fans! Gobert goes to the stripe - but he misses both. Is he struggling tonight, the 7ft-er? Australia get the rebound and it’s Landale who goes over the big man at the other end! Time out, France.
Second quarter 5 min - France 18-22 Australia
A lot of shots missing and not much better from the stripe from either side. Finally Fournier grabs 3/3 from the paint. They’re warming up here, France.
Second quarter 4 min - France 15-21 Australia
Huge block from Boguy on De Colo! Kay concedes the foul, but France can’t capitalise. Creek doing a job defensively on Fournier, but Labeyrie dunks! Ingles hits two at the other end, we’re back to six the difference.
Second quarter 2 min - France 13-19 Australia
Fournier goes up but he misses again - 1/5 from the field for France’s star. Boomers also pass the chance at an early score, before Joe Ingles finally drops a three! Australia need him back in a rhythm, hot-hands Joe went missing against Spain.
Finally Fournier drops a 2-pointer for France.
First quarter: France 11-16 Australia
A bright start from the Boomers who go to the first break five ahead. It’s been a grind to start - both sides having to rise above the psychological blow of missing the gold-medal game.
First quarter 7 min - France 8-13 Australia
I’d love to tell you a bit more but my internet’s gone on the fritz. Australia out by five, as Baynes and Goulding come into the contest for the Boomers.
First quarter 4 min - France 4-7 Australia
Fournier gets France on the board, before Batum doubles fire, and it’s Mills again at the other end for Australia. Gobert turns it over - it’s been a tired start from the “Stifle Tower” before Bogut misses the tip in off Mills’ shot. Expect fatigue to be a factor tonight - what is this, the eighth game for both these sides in about two weeks?
First quarter 2 min - France 0-5 Australia
And it’s first points - Nic Kay! He starts ahead of Lansdale, a reward for his terrific showing against Spain, and who’s next? It’s Patty Mills from the pocket with the first three of the game.
First tip!
Australia start with ball in hand - the Chinese boo-boys are back in action, and it’s an early offensive foul called against the big man, Bogut, for blocking France’s star, Fournier.
They will forever be remembered as the team that slayed the USA, but can France grab a bronze medal for their efforts? And can the Boomers lift after another morale-sapping loss to Spain, in double overtime too?
Our players are on the court - Bogut comes in for Aron Baynes for the Boomers. Here. We. Go!
I’d love to rake the embers on that one - what a remarkable NRL finals performance, but it’s a hard gear change now on Sportswatch. We’re off to China and to the bronze-medal match at the Basketball World Cup. It’s Australia v France - the game nobody wants to be in, but there’s a pretty significant reward for the winner - especially the Boomers, who you’ll remember have never won a senior men’s medal at an Olympics or a World Cup.
Full-time: Parramatta 58-0 Brisbane
What. To. Say.
That was something, and then something else again. What a complete performance from the Eels. Almost the perfect 80 minutes. Attacking intent - skill in the halves, and terrific discipline to not concede. Points from everywhere.
They’ll be watching the tape on this one - the Storm. There’s a blue & gold army heading south to Melbourne next week!
Updated
Try! Parramatta 58-0 Brisbane (Alvaro)
79 min: That was pure determination - Alvaro set it up with a terrific run, and he’s got his personal reward, and Anthony Seibold has just walked out of the coach’s box. They’re shattered, the Broncos.
And they give Manu Ma’a the final kick - a nice touch. And it’s ugly - but it crawls over!
Try! Parramatta 52-0 Brisbane (Brown)
76 min: You worried the floodgates would open after that Moeroa try, and they have. Lovely stuff from the young half, Brown and he treats himself to a second.
Moses from dead in front: 6/11 inching a much better percentage.
Try! Parramatta 46-0 Brisbane (Moses)
73 min: Terrific from Takarangi and great vision from Mahoney, who puts Moses in a hole! He’s popping up everywhere.
And he hits that one right over the black dot - that’s better from Moses.
An outstanding game from this bloke 🔥#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/cBO5HWzzrg
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
Try! Parramatta 40-0 Brisbane (Moeroa)
69 min: Still plenty of work going in here - and the Eels aren’t letting up at all. This could get nasty, late on. It’s the big basher off the interchange bench who finishes it, and Moses enjoys another easier one from near in front to lift his average with the kick.
Terrific Tepai!#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/lYWMYxtzDp
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
64 min: The veteran, Brad Takarangi, goes ever so close! Ach, of anyone who deserves a try, how bout this bloke. He’s pulled down a few metres out and Brisbane suck in the big ones.
61 min: 29,372 in at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta. The SFS rebuild might be turning into an absolute white elephant but at least they got this one right. Wait til the Wanderers get 30,000 in. Heaving.
58 min: It’s almost like that try has made Brisbane realise the day’s officially over, and somehow released the pressure valve. Or it’s a dead cat bounce. Either way, this is the best they’ve looked in this game so far. Yet Parramatta still come.
55 min: And they’re gluttons for punishment, Brisbane as they go for the short kickoff - and regather. But the tryline begging they’ve put a pass behind the winger Isaako and any chance is snuffed out.
Try! Parramatta 34-0 Brisbane (Brown)
Blow it up, refs. Somebody stop the fight. It’s a Gutherson bust, he looks around for support and finds the teenager Dylan Brown backing up on the inside.
And Moses gives a sigh of relief for finally getting one in front of the posts. He kicks it - 3/8 now.
Try! Parramatta 28-0 Brisbane (Sivo)
49 min: Wowee. Where do they find these Fijian wingers? It seems a lifetime ago since Semi Radradra was rampaging up and down the Parra touchline, but Semi-who - Maika Sivo is on absolute fire - he’s surely close to the hottest wing-property in the NRL.
Moses misses again - admittedly, they’re not giving him easy ones.
22 for the year... WOW ✊#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/xOuIGk82ic
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
46 min: We’re back to business as usual as the Eels probe - but it’s Sivo into touch. Moses continues to throw 30m passes - they’re stretching the Broncos side to side, Parramatta. And it’s working for them.
43 min: Mitchell Moses with back to back infringements - he’ll have to be careful. First he hung on too long after Milford made a clever bust, then he tried a one-on-one strip and was too eager. They won’t take the two, Brisbane, so you could say smart play, but he has to be careful.
And they get within 10m of the line - seemingly for the first time all game, Brisbane, and we’ve got a ball to ground!
Second half!
40 min: Okay, we’re back. What can the Broncos muster now? They need a big start - they have to score first otherwise it’s definitely curtains.
So. You’re the coach. Your team’s been absolutely battered. What does Anthony Siebold come up with from here?
And spare a thought for Brad Arthur. After everything he’s been through at Parramatta over the past few years. The shenanigans. The controversy. The pressure. The player-power issues. And here he is overseeing a team that’s absolutely rolling in clover out there, in front of a packed-out home crowd that’s loving it. Remarkable.
Half-time: Parramatta 24-0 Brisbane
Yikes. Have you seen many better halves of footy than that?
It’s been near-flawless stuff from the Eels. If you had to find a criticism though it’s that Moses has left a few points on the field with the boot. 2/5 from conversions and 0/1 penalties. 32-0 would be good night, nurse - but given how instrumental he’s been in most of the plays you can’t really fault the kid.
Updated
Try! Parramatta 24-0 Brisbane (Sivo)
37 min: There’s some tired legs already out there for Brisbane, they need to get in the sheds and work out what’s gone wrong here.
But wait - they’ve not have they! Sivo with a dance down the touchline - it’s a juggle as he almost loses possession - but the NRL’s leading tryscorer adds one more!
START THE CHANT!#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/9fsdhH384q
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
Try! Parramatta 20-0 Brisbane (Lane)
33 min: Clever stuff again - this is scintillating from Parra! Moses switches the play with a big 30m pass and they work it through the hands - and it’s the Big Man Bun - Shaun Lane, who crashes over!
Moses with a decent attempt from near the sideline - it curls a little, but it’s off the post and then down onto the crossbar! Can you get any closer?! No extras.
Choo, choo! All aboard, tickets please for the Lane Train 🚝#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/HRYNu0DLdA
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
31 min: This time it’s Gutherson who puts it on the toe - to the same result! Six again. It’s Sisyphus-ian stuff for the Broncos right now.
28 min: They’ll have to defend here again, first though, Brisbane - as the golden boot of Mitch Moses rolls another terrific ball in-goal and they’re forced to concede the repeat set of six.
They’ve enjoyed twice as much time with the pill, the Eels - 14 sets to seven. 147 tackles made to 83 - and as if they weren’t already on top, imagine how tired some of these big Bronco forwards will be later in the match. They’re getting through a power of work.
Updated
24 min: So. It’s a kaibosh of an opening from the Eels. What can the Broncos muster from here? They need a spark and quickly or their season is over. Who can find it?
Try! Parramatta 16-0 Brisbane (Ferguson)
19 min: My, oh my. They’re in again! They’re racing the clock - point-a-minute style, here, Parramatta. It’s a break from deep, and again it finishes off a Moses kick. He looks crossfield, it’s not cleanly collected but Waqa Blake does brilliantly to set up his winger. And the veteran (is he veteran status yet?), Ferguson - finishes!
No extras from the sideline. Your move, Broncos.
The @TheParraEels are playing sensationally 💥#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/EXvs6WJYFn
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
Try! Parramatta 12-0 Brisbane (Moses)
16 min: Ooh, that’s brilliant from Moses! They’ve parted like the Arabian desert, Brisbane - he faked to kick right and dropped the most delicate of grubbers, only to regather and ground just ahead of the defence.
What a way to say “Sorry lads” after that missed penalty! He slots the conversion. It’s all Parra!
Mitchell Moses is on fire 🔥#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/1IJzlKjcKg
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
15 min: Penalty against Brisbane, Ofahengaue is late on Moses as he looks to kick. It wasn’t spiteful, but it is a heavy fall for the halfback.
Moses dusts himself off and duly looks to slot the extra two. But he’ misses the penalty!
Try! Parramatta 6-0 Brisbane (Jennings)
11 min: An early ebb and flow settling in here - Parra with the better metres and attacking intent.
And now Ferguson sparks the bust! They’ve got numbers here, it’s 3 on 2, but who comes up with the big tackle - it’s Payne Haas! Incredible recovery from the front rower. Mitchell Moses goes to the sky on the next play, crossfield, he looks for Jennings who claims on the juggle - a back-bending grab and plant - terrific footy, Eels!
Moses adds the extras from just off to the left.
The suburb of Parramatta goes up!#NRLEelsBroncos#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/coLXbN5c1C
— NRL (@NRL) September 15, 2019
Updated
7 min: Mushka! Big hit, Matt Gillett (the best a man can get).
And Parra look for the final play grubber, but it ricochets off a pack of legs and falls harmlessly into a Bronco arms.
The Eels come again, and it’s the rapid fridge, Maika Sivo who is pulled short by inches! What a wrecking ball - he carried about three of them like sherpas.
5 min: The Broncos survive. A suspected high shot on Milford, but it goes unpaid. And it’s first penalty against Brisbane. It’s Parramatta that have started brighter - what can they make of this good early opportunity.
2 min: Both sides get through their first sets, it’s Parra who roll a well-weighted kick into the corner, about 10m of the Broncos line. Can they pinch a scrum feed? We miraculously saw that a few weekends back (can anyone remember what game that was?)
Alas, no. Brisbane bring it out from their line. But Reed Mahoney comes up with a huge play - he’s caught Milford on the final tackle before he could kick, and it’s the Eels with ball in hand with only 50m to get through.
Kick off!
And it is Gutherson who gets us underway! Broncos receive, under a slight pall of fireworks smoke. Thankfully no Joey Leilua-style incidents (see yesterday) today.
The new-look Parra stadium is our venue to determine who gets a playdate with Melbourne Storm next week after their surprise loss to Canberra yesterday. Doesn’t it look a sight, resplendent in blue and yellow, with a smattering of Broncos’ orange. You can’t beat sold-out stadiums.
Gutherson leads out the Eels. We have our players out on the field and first whistle can’t be too far away.
Kia ora! A lovely welcome to you all and thanks JP for those kindly words. I don’t know why but I read that opening line very much as per the stylings of Gil Heron Scott. Your humble scribe will hope to deliver.
We’re not far away from the final NRL elimination final of the weekend - it’s Parramatta hosting Brisbane, 5 v 8, and we’ll have it all for you, here on Sportwatch!
Ok, the next words you see will have been typed by Richard Parkin. Thank you for your company today and a thoroughly entertaining Super Netball grand final. Enjoy the rugby league!
Phew! That was fun. Time to get our breath back and regroup for the afternoon’s NRL action. The Eels and Broncos will be underway in about 20 minutes. Richard Parkin will join in for that one.
Swifts lift the trophy! 🏆❤️️💙
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/TbrJlGdzZ8
All class from Laura Langman 👏
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/2A9bgAchAV
Here’s Erin Delahunty’s report from courtside at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Sam Wallace has been named as the player of the match for her 40 goals and dominant display in the circle.
Sam Wallace is your player of the Grand Final 🙌
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/P2sCeF0n1f
Updated
Erin Delahunty was courtside in Brisbane, her match report will be up shortly.
ABSOLUTE SCENES!@NSWSwifts 🏆
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/0gPPhFHVCt
Updated
Briony Akle taking basketball’s lead and putting the bench on to finish the game out.
— Nat Medhurst (@natmedhurst) September 15, 2019
Must admit, as a player, being on court when that final siren goes and you’ve just won a Premiership.. nothing better! @SuperNetball
Hugs all round.
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/DAwKnmbIuw
NSW Swifts win the Super Netball grand final!
It ends 64-47 in favour of the visitors. What an astonishing result.
“Swifts are a pretty strong chance of running this out”.... ah well, 16goals up, 6min to go... yeah I’d say so!
— Nat Medhurst (@natmedhurst) September 15, 2019
Unbelievable team performance by the @NSWSwifts.
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Lightning 43-59 Swifts - Muhammad Ali once bragged that he handcuffed lightning but Sarah Klau has done just that over four imperious quarters in the Super Netball grand final. She is leading her Swifts to an incredible victory.
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Lightning 40-56 Swifts - It is definitely party time now. Haythornthwaite robs the Lightning as if she was hiding in plain sight then goal after goal rains down on the home circle. This is an emphatic drubbing now. Time out called by Noeline Taurua but it is too little too late.
Q4: 10 mins remaining: Lightning 38-51 Swifts - The time out worked superbly, drawing the sting out of the contest and allowing the Swifts to regroup. Wallace and Housby take advantage, continuing their excellent afternoons. It’s almost party time now for NSW.
Q4: 11.45 mins remaining: Lightning 38-48 Swifts - Swifts time out just as the Lightning were building a head of steam. Briony Akle has controlled this contest superbly. “Just stay in the moment” she demands as the NSW huddle breaks away.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Lightning 36-48 Swifts - The final quarter begins with the Lightning missing a shot at goal at one end and Housby making them pay with a brace at the other. The margin out to 12.
Klau’s reached 100 Nissan Net Points. Four rebounds, five interceptions, and a presence that has rattled the Lightning. Seriously impressive.
3QT: Lightning 36-46 Swifts
This has been such an impressive display from the Swifts and they are on course for a comprehensive upset victory over the Lightning. That’s three quarters in a row in favour of the visitors and the 2019 Super Netball championship is within reach.
WHAT wins championships, folks? #SSNGrandFinal
— Erin Delahunty (@della79) September 15, 2019
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Lightning 33-41 Swifts - The defending champions have had two or three bursts of pressure this afternoon but every time the Swifts have absorbed the pressure and come out the other side. They do so again with Housby once again influencing at one end and Klau marshalling the other. Klau is absolutely bossing this. So so impressive.
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Lightning 31-39 Swifts - The Lightning are in the middle of a handy burst. Maweni secures her first clean intercept of the game to set up an attack that ends with the margin cut to six goals. It should be five but Klau yet again comes to her team’s rescue - what a match she is putting in - five intercepts now!
Q3: 9.30 mins remaining: Lightning 28-36 Swifts - Time out Swifts. During the break Briony Akle exudes confidence and good cheer. She singles out Klau who must now be favourite to collect player of the match honours.
Sarah Klau reading them like a book today.
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal @NSWSwifts #LIGvSWI pic.twitter.com/lwdogyjna9
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Lightning 27-36 Swifts - Turnovers at both ends again rouse the crowd but the Swifts settle. Wallace has been dominant in the circle all day.
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Lightning 24-33 Swifts - “This is about us” Noeline Taurua tells her troops before the second half gets underway but the Lightning concede the opening two goals of the third quarter as the grand final starts to leak away from the minor premiers.
The stats at half-time favour the Swifts, as you would expect with an eight-goal lead. Individually Klau, Haythorthwaite, and Wallace are leading the Nissan Net Points.
The half time stats.
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal @NSWSwifts pic.twitter.com/TcNIfA5bzo
HT: Lightning 23-31 Swifts
Woah! Wood is called for footwork when the margin look destined to be cut to three. Instead Wallace hits the rim then recovers superbly to extend the Swifts’s lead to five. That becomes six, then seven, and with the final play of the half eight! What a finish by the Swifts, resisting that challenge from the Lightning and hitting back late. A four goal margin at quarter-time has double by the main break.
'They can't do anything wrong'
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal pic.twitter.com/QfQ95aw3gp
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Lightning 23-27 Swifts - Errors in both circles slow the scoreboard. The Lightning respond by recalling Steph Wood in place of Cara Koenen. For the Swifts Garbin is on for Housby.
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Lightning 21-25 Swifts - The visitors have lost their early fluency in possession but they are fighting hard to retain their slender lead. A midcourt turnover helps shift the momentum of the quarter. Wallace is up to 16 from 17.
Q2: 8.30 mins remaining: Lightning 19-21 Swifts - The momentum is now all with the Lightning. They’re attacking at speed and forcing the Swifts into awkward chains of possession. Pretorius has been immense this quarter and her presence is making the Swifts over-possess around the circle. Time out called by the Lightning.
Q2: 10 mins remaining: Lightning 18-20 Swifts - Turnover after turnover has the crowd on its feet and after scares at both ends of the court the chaos favours the Lightning. Proscovia has been flawless since her introduction.
Q2: 13 mins remaining: Lightning 15-17 Swifts - The Swifts think there’s a steal in the opening possession of the quarter but the umpires find a footwork penalty and the Lightning dodge a bullet. The Swifts’s pain is reinforced with an error from the centre restart and the Lightning pull within just two goals.
QT: Lightning 12-16 Swifts
What a start from the Swifts! The Lightning began the day as hot favourites but they have plenty of work to do now against a determined NSW opposition. Defensively the Swifts have been outstanding, led by Klau, their ball movement channeled through Housby has been slick, and Wallace is shooting 10 from 11.
For the Lightning, Peace Proscovia has come on at GS, Cara Koenen has moved to GA, Steph Wood has come off.
WHAT AN INTERCEPT!
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
Take a bow Sarah Klau.
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal @NSWSwifts pic.twitter.com/lDJ5bajVpK
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Lightning 8-13 Swifts - Klau is on fire, setting up the Swifts for another rebound that’s rewarded after some patient build-up play. But the Lightning are working their way into the contest and finally bag two in a row with quarter-time approaching.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Lightning 6-11 Swifts - Straight after the restart Wood fluffs her line under the net and yet again the Swifts are brutal, punishing every mistake. The first NSW handling error offers Sunshine Coast the chance of back-to-back goals for the first time today but Klau does superbly in the circle to maintain the Swifts’s ascendancy.
Q1: 9 mins remaining: Lightning 4-9 Swifts - Housby is all action for the Swifts and she nets her 700th of the season. At the other end of the court Koenen is growing into the contest and her relationship with Langman is already proving crucial. But a contact penalty against the Lightning shooter earns the Swifts another turnover and Wallace finishes off an end-to-end passage of play. That forces the first time out of the day and there’s plenty of work for Noeline Taurua in the huddle.
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Lightning 3-5 Swifts - The Lightning are lacking a little composure in these early exchanges but they’re hanging tough. The Swifts are pinging the ball around with intent.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Lightning 1-3 Swifts - Superb start from the visitors, scoring within seconds of the opening possession then turning a turnover into a goal as soon as the Lightning see the ball.
We are go!
The Super Netball grand final is underway!
The national anthem has been sung, the huddles are underway, the Suncorp Super Netball grand final is seconds away...
The teams are making their way out onto the court. The Swifts are out first to a ripple of applause but the noise is deafening when the Lightning emerge.
The grand final umpires are Michelle Phippard and Helen George.
They're only reading out the teams here at the @SuperNetball grand final but already it's clear @sc_lightning fans outnumber @NSWSwifts by, let's say, four to one.
— Erin Delahunty (@della79) September 15, 2019
The Nissan Net Points team of the Super Netball season has just been revealed. It’s further confirmation of the importance of the duel between Karla Pretorius and Helen Housby.
The stars of Super Netball 2019 🤩
— 9Netball (@9Netball) September 15, 2019
WATCH: @Channel9#9Netball #SSNLightningSwifts #SSNGrandFinal pic.twitter.com/JV9dxwZS9j
The head-to-head record strongly favours the Lightning. They’ve won this match-up four times in a row, including three victories this season. However, the wins back in rounds four and 11 were by just two goals.
The Starting Sevens are in:
HERE IT IS! Our starting 7 for the 2019 Grand Final!
— Sunshine Coast Lightning (@sc_lightning) September 15, 2019
The countdown is on! #WeStrikeAgain #TogetherWeStrike pic.twitter.com/1Oe1fVVzNu
That world class defence and the luxury of Peace Proscovia on the bench - it’s little wonder the Lightning have been the dominant force this season. “It’s a day of celebration,” Laura Langman says in her prematch interview, “a chance for all of us to say thank you to Noeline Taurua.”
One last hurrah. Here's our starting seven for today's GRAND FINAL! #GoNSWSwifts #SSNGrandFinal pic.twitter.com/gaWnUJdPbZ
— NSW Swifts (@NSWSwifts) September 15, 2019
“In the semi-final she showed me up, but it’s a team game” says Swifts skipper Paige Hadley about her head-to-head battle with Langman.
Wilma Shakespear and Vicki Wilson have just brought the Suncorp Super Netball trophy into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. We’ll be underway in the grand final in not time at all.
Here’s Erin Delahunty’s grand final preview, highlighting the significance of the duel between the Lightning’s Karla Pretorius and the Swifts’s Helen Housby.
A single match-up rarely dictates the outcome of any game, but in Sunday’s Super Netball decider, the contest between Helen Housby and the world’s best goal defence, Karla Pretorius, could do precisely that. The head-to-head between the NSW Swifts’ goal attack, still struggling with a thigh injury sustained at July’s World Cup, and the tenacious Sunshine Coast Lightning defender, named the best player of that tournament in Liverpool, is tantalising.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to a special grand final edition of Sunday sportwatch. Yes, there is plenty going on today but nothing more important than the highpoint of the Super Netball calendar when the Lightning host the Swifts shortly after 1pm for the right to call themselves the best side in Australia.
We’ll be paying close attention to that from the get-go, after which we can divert our attention elsewhere, like the Ashes, or Australia’s women’s T20 international in the West Indies, or yesterday’s dramatic NRL and AFL finals.
By 4pm we’re back into the live stuff with the Eels hosting the Broncos in the last NRL final of the weekend.
Then we’re into the business end of the Basketball World Cup from 6pm before turning our attention once again to the Oval for what may prove to be the final day of Ashes action this year.
Please keep me company throughout the afternoon, either on Twitter @JPHowcroft, or by email: jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com. Comments should also be open below the line.
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