Sunshine Coast Lightning will leave no stone unturned in their efforts during the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball Finals series.
Head Coach Kylee Byrne said their sights are set on the Grand Final date in a fortnight’s time, with the Club’s proud history providing valuable motivation for the team.
“There’s a line drawn in the sand and this is our year to put our hand back up,” Byrne said.
“We’ve been reflecting all week on the different finals campaigns that Lightning has been a part of -right back to 2017.
“It’s a special and privileged position but we don’t want it to end this weekend.”
Lightning will take on a determined West Coast Fever outfit in the elimination Semi-Final on Saturday and the Queensland side’s most recent win is providing an initial blueprint for this weekend’s game plan.
“The foundation is there from what we did in Round 10 but we know we have to be better than that,” she said.
“It’s finals – it’s the top four teams in the competition, so this is another level of netball and athleticism.”
While there is the obvious tall task of thwarting Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler’s game, Byrne said the team needs to win their position in all areas of the court to succeed.
“We’ve concentrated on other areas of the court and we have to win those battles,” she said.
“Across all three positions we need to make sure we’re sticking to our game plan and delivering on what we know can do the job.”
Midcourter Laura Scherian will again provide the conduit from the centre pass to the Lightning shooters – an important role when competing with a high scoring opponent.
The foundation Lightning player knows finals well and is excited to get out on court and show netball fans what the side is capable of.
“Once the finals start it’s a different game,” Scherian said.
“Everyone is so eager to get out on court and play in this finals series – it’s a really good vibe.
“Fever is definitely a challenge, they are playing really well but we had a good game against them in the home and away rounds.
“[The win] sets the base for what we want to do, the brand of netball we want to play, but there are other little things we want to bring into finals.”
Sunshine Coast Lightning will take on West Coast Fever in the minor Semi-Final on Saturday 14 August from 3pm at Nissan Arena.
Limited tickets are still available via Ticketek, while the game will also be broadcast live across Channel 9.
