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AAP
AAP
National
Adrian Warren

Swifts squeeze out Mavs by a point in thriller

Helen Housby (c) has led the Swifts to a thrilling victory over the Mavericks at Qudos Bank Arena. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Ice queen Helen Housby has landed a last gasp shot to give the NSW Swifts a dramatic 70-69 Super Netball home win over Melbourne Mavericks.

After scoring the first goal, the Swifts trailed for almost the duration of the second game of the double header at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.

In front of a regular season record crowd in Sydney of 13,462, the Mavericks led by seven in the first quarter.

The Swifts clawed their way back, winning the last three quarters by three, one and three respectively, with Housby clinching the game with a close range shot with two seconds left.

England shooter Housby has forged a reputation for delivering clutch shots in pressure situations.

"It feels like I've been playing with that pressure since I started my career'" Housby told Fox Sports and Kayo.

"I quite like shouldering that. I think that's when the best stuff comes out."

Sydney scored the opening goal of the match but didn't lead again until 100 seconds from the end.

The Swifts had lost seven of their past nine Super Netball games despite making the 2025 finals and were thrashed 74-54 in last week's season opener.

"It means so much. We said before the game this was the perfect occasion for us to bounce back," Housby said.

"We weren't happy with that performance last week and I personally was really disappointed."

Sharni Lambden.
Playing the angles: Sharni Lambden of the Swifts gets a pass away against the Mavericks. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Housby (16/22) missed five of her nine super shots but Silver Fern Grace Nweke (47/51) made three of four long range attempts.

Swifts midcourter Maddy Proud added vital energy in her 150th game when she came on for the second half.

The Mavericks had five more interceptions and eight more gains, but incurred 23 more penalties.

Shooter Shimona Nelson (54/57) was replaced in the fourth quarter by Uneeq Palacio as the Mavs looked to improve their Super Shot capabilities.

"Credit to the Mavs, they played incredible tonight," Proud told Kayo and Fox Sports.

"I thought our defence really stood up in that second half and got us a lot of ball back."

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