The Sunshine Coast Lightning prevailed in a thriller on Saturday, climbing to the top of the Super Netball ladder in the process.
Sunshine Coast Lightning have vaulted to the top of the Super Netball ladder with their depth and versatility helping them outlast the Collingwood Magpies in an extra-time thriller.
The Magpies had a chance to cause an upset in regular time, with scores locked and the ball in the hands of star goaler Shimona Nelson in the dying seconds.
But believing the full-time hooter was about to sound, the Jamaican let off a wild shot, with the miss resulting in just the second extra-time match this season.
The Lightning made the most of the five-minute extra period, eventually winning 67-65.
The loss was a let-down for the Magpies, who led at every change in regular time and needed the victory to stay in touch with the top four to enhance their bid to make the finals.
The Lightning hit the halfway point of the season in top spot on the ladder but headed into the match in third spot after both Sydney-based teams – the Giants and NSW Swifts – won their matches last week in the opening weekend of the split round.
But they are now sole leaders, after again showing their experience in tight situations.
Lightning coach Kylee Byrne shuffled her combinations, using all 10 players to break the Magpies’ midcourt rhythm and stifling defence.
It worked, with reserved Peace Proscovia, Binian Hunt and Kate Shimmin playing key roles in the revival, while Steph Wood, who switched between the goal circle and the midcourt, accelerating the fightback when she hit the only super shot of the match late in the fourth quarter to tie the scores.
Midcourter Ash Brazill was outstanding for the Pies, while Nelson was close to the player of the match despite her late miss, finishing with 52 goals.
The Magpies scored five in a row early in the opening quarter to establish a four-goal lead and while the Lightning hit back with a run of their own, Collingwood held their nerve to take a five-point lead to the first break.
The Lightning clawed their way back to within two by halftime and while they were within a goal late in the third term, a Brazill gain helped the Magpies push the lead back out to four goals at the final break.
But when their backs are to the wall, the Lightning are at their most dangerous and they charged home to show they remain a genuine premiership threat.
Shooters on song
Both the Lightning and Magpies are led by strong goal shooters and Cara Koenen (Lightning) and Shimona Nelson (Magpies) spearheaded their teams’ efforts with outstanding contributions.
Nelson showed why she is regarded as one of the most improved players in the league with 52 goals (52/57), including a perfect 13-of-13 in the opening quarter that kickstarted her team’s run.
Koenen had 46-of-52 shooting but her effort to push out to goal attack in the second half earnt her player of the match honours, picking up six goal assists, 11 circle feeds and a gain as she powered her team’s revival.
Magpies finals contenders
The Magpies finished with the wooden spoon last season but things were always going to be different in 2021 after they regained star midcourters Ash Brazill and Kelsey Browne from injury.
Many regarded the Pies as dark horses for the finals and with confidence in their combinations continuing to grow, they are showing why.
The loss makes their journey to the finals more difficult but they remain in touch with the top four, a single win behind fourth-placed Fever, who have a match in hand.
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 67 (Koenen 46, Proscovia 11, Wood 10)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 65 (Nelson 52, Sinclair 13)