Making Suncorp Super Netball history, Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Collingwood Magpies will come together on Tuesday, 25 April for the inaugural ANZAC Day match.
The ANZAC Day clash boasts a triple-header of sport including SSN, AFL and Rugby League, with Clubs feeling honoured to partake in such a special day for the country.
Lightning Head Coach Belinda Reynolds said the inaugural match is an important one, both for the significance of the day and the ladder.
“This is a very big game for us. Not only for our season, but to be part of a game that recognises those who have served for our country — it’s pretty special,” she said.
“We’ll be looking to put out a strong, four-quarter performance against the Magpies who have been building in form across the season so far. It’s important for us to continue to be comfortable in high-pressure situations and grinding out the game and finding the win.”
Playing at John Cain Arena with a 1pm centre pass, both teams will be hungry for a win — currently sitting on eight points each on the ladder.
Lightning Captain Steph Wood reflected on the heart-breaking one-point loss against the NSW Swifts last weekend.
“The game definitely got away from us and we were all pretty down. I think if you’d seen us courtside, we were all devastated for that loss because we put a four-quarter performance together and to not come away with the win was disappointing,” she said.
“We’re two wins, three losses, but I think the brand of netball we’re playing is a good brand of netball and I think those wins will come.”
“I’m really excited to be in Olympic Park. The MCG is going to have 90,000 people and of course Storm is also playing that night. So I think it’ll be a really cool experience to go down there,” Wood said.
“Tuesday game is a bit different for us. Having 10 days break has actually been great, but I’m really excited to see what we can do against Collingwood. We both need the win.”
Wood said Collingwood were a strong team and will be difficult to beat, but they are up for the challenge.
“They’re a team that when they click, they click, and they look really good. So we’ve got to make sure we break down some of those connections,” she said.
“It’ll be a tough match for us, but I do think we line up really well against them and I think we have the answers that we need to get that win.”
Sunshine Coast Lightning will play Collingwood Magpies this Tuesday at John Cain Arena at 1pm. Watch live via Foxtel or Kayo Freebies.
