NSW Swifts v Northern Mystics, Round 10, ANZ Championship
12.10pm (AEST), Sunday 26 May, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, NSW

Broadcast on SBS 2 and FOX SPORTS 2, Sunday 26 May @ 12.00pm (AEST) (check your local guides)
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The NSW Swifts are excited to be back in front of their home fans when they take on the Northern Mystics at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC) this Sunday 26 May.  It is the first time the Swifts will have a chance to avenge their one goal loss to their trans-Tasman rivals in the final round of the 2012 ANZ Championship season*.

 

The Swifts return to Sydney on the back of another slim loss, falling two goals short of the Adelaide Thunderbirds in an enthralling game at Netball SA Stadium last weekend.  Swifts Head Coach Lisa Beehag says although disappointed with the end result, the team has been buoyant by the thrilling performance, and ready to repeat this against the Mystics on Sunday.

 

“[We are] happy to be home because we have our crowd behind us, yelling out for us ... the cheers and the support the girls get [is fantastic],” Beehag said.

 

“It was a hard fought game [last weekend against the Thunderbirds]; I think the skills were really on display.  This week will be a little different because obviously we will still be working hard on our one-on-one, but expect the kiwis to be a bit more offline in their defence ... looking at the game you should be able to see a real contrast defensively.”

 

New Zealand-based teams have always been renowned for their ‘zone’ style of defence, which Beehag says the team is anticipating ahead of their Round 10 clash.  However the players were given early exposure, with the Thunderbirds switching their defensive styles throughout the match.

 

“I think there are a few teams trying to do a little bit [game-style reshuffling] ... changing it up and throwing in a zone or a split, or one of those defensive styles, just means attackers have to suddenly stop and think about what’s going on,” said Beehag.

 

“It was good for us that [the Thunderbirds threw a zone] in that we have the kiwi [defensive] style this week, but at the same time, we expect at some stage, especially with [Julie] Corletto in the back end, there will be some one-on-one from them as well.”

 

Speaking of the Mystics line-up, Beehag said their versatility is a huge strength when preparing for their clash.

 

“It’s interesting for us [this week] – usually we sit down and pretty much can predict what the opposition line-up will be.  The Mystics are a little bit tricky in that regard this year ... [Cathrine] Latu didn’t start last game, where will they start [Kayla] Cullen, where will they start Corletto ... So our match-ups, I’m not 100 per cent who we will have on who,” Beehag said.

 

Beehag also reassured fans not to rule out seeing co-captain Mo’onia Gerrard on Sunday, after the veteran defender came off during the third quarter of last week’s game.

 

“It’s a progress thing; like all injuries we just work with our medical staff and guided by what they say.  At this stage we are expecting Mon to be part of our 12 [players] on the weekend.”

View the full interview on NSWSwiftsTV:



Tickets for Sunday’s Game

A very limited number of tickets are still available for Sunday’s game via www.swiftstickets.com.auor by contacting Ticketek; www.ticketek.com.au.

 

Complete Round 10 Fixture (all local times)
NSW Swifts v Northern Mystics                                                 Sunday 26 May, 12.10pm (NSW)
QLD Firebirds v WBOP Magic                                                       Sunday 26 May, 2.10pm (QLD)
Central Pulse v West Coast Fever                                             Sunday 26 May, 7.20pm (Wellington, NZ)
Canterbury Tactix v Adelaide Thunderbirds                          Monday 27 May, 7.40pm (Dunedin, NZ)
Melbourne Vixens v Southern Steel                                        Monday 27 May, 7.40pm (VIC)

2013 ANZ Championship, broadcast on FOX SPORTS and SBS2 (check your local guides)

 

*Previous Results:
2012, Round 14 - Northern Mystics 50 def NSW Swifts 49, The Trusts Stadium, Auckland, NZ
2011, Semi Final – Northern Mystics 49 def NSW Swifts 44, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, NSW
2011, Round 10 – NSW Swifts 53 def Northern Mystics 46, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, NSW
2010, Round 11 – NSW Swifts 54 def Northern Mystics 48, The Trusts Stadium, Auckland, NZ
2009, Round 4 – NSW Swifts 59 def Northern Mystics 55, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, NSW
2008, Round 10 – NSW Swifts 64 def Northern Mystics 62,  The Trusts Stadium, Auckland, NZ

 

Be part of the NSW Swifts BIGGEST game of the season when they take on Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Allphones Arena BLOCKBUSTER on Sunday 2 June.

 

Tickets are now on sale including a fantastic group ticket offer. Secure your seat today, simply click on the button below to purchase.