Saturday night’s round eight 49-33 victory over the Sunshine Coast Thunder, their second victory of the season, featured the Wildcats producing their greatest winning margin in three years.
“It’s the best game as far as scores go, we haven’t really won most of the quarters in a game before,” Wildcats coach Megan Lynch said.
Lynch guided her side to victory in three of the four quarters, including the all-important 'championship quarter'.
“For the first time all season we won the third quarter, which was the focus for the week,” Lynch said.
“We had done some analysis about us and where we’re falling down. So we changed things at certain times of the game.”
Lynch called upon young goal attack Kydan Tuapou from the Wildcats’ Ruby team, sending her onto the HART Sapphire Series court for one-and-a-half quarters.
“She was fantastic, slotted in,” Lynch said.
“It was one of the strongest games by a kid coming from Ruby to Sapphire that I’ve seen.”
Lynch is weary of believing any hype around their swing in form, opting instead to take a week-by-week approach.
“There’s a lot of work to do, a lot of potential for this season, so regardless of how this season plays out I’m happy with the progress,” she said.
“As long as every week is better than the last, then I can’t ask for more than that.”
The Wildcats now look ahead to a round nine clash with the TAE Aerospace Jets, in Ipswich, this Sunday afternoon at 5pm.
The Jets are coming off a solid 67-47 victory over the Bond University Bull Sharks, where coach Paula Stuart was once again forced to recruit from outside the usual ranks.
“I had only four of my original players on court,” Stuart said.
“I think the opposition is confused too. I had Megan Lynch say to me, ‘so who are you running next week?’, but I don’t even know.”
Stuart’s been quick to commend her core group of players, who’ve been consistently welcoming unfamiliar faces into a side impacted by Suncorp Super Netball and international representative duties, injury and pregnancy.
“The main aim is to get in the top four,” Stuart said.
“We’re taking it week by week but basically the core of the team, their resilience, mental strength is phenomenal. People coming in are embraced and the encouragement out on court shows.”
Jets captain Hulita Veve was again an omission on the weekend, as she was required at selections for the Tonga Talas ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
“I’ve never in all my netball career had people out with pregnancies, SSN and injuries all in one year,” Stuart said.
“This is uncommon to lose so many. The girls are pretty resilient, and whoever comes in they embrace.”
The Jets remain on top of the HART Sapphire Series ladder, but share the same number of points as the Gold Coast Titans following the Titans’ 49-45 round eight defeat of the Brisbane North Cougars.
It’s the second time this season the Titans have claimed bragging rights over the defending premiers, who lined up without captain Leesa Mi Mi (SSN) and Lillyana Rennie (illness).
The Titans now enjoy a bye in round nine, which kicks off this Saturday at Nissan Arena with a battle between the fifth-placed Sunshine Coast Thunder and fourth-placed Carina Leagues Club Tigers.
KommunityTV
Round 9, June 10
Sunshine Coast Thunder v Carina Leagues Club Tigers
4pm Ruby, 6pm Sapphire
