In form Swifts use lessons from 2015 for Firebirds title shot

The NSW Swifts enter Sunday’s 2016 ANZ Championship Grand Final against defending champion Queensland Firebirds in stellar form after a stunning semi final win over Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Hamilton last Monday.

The 64-45 victory over the Kiwi side set up a mouth watering second straight Swifts versus Firebirds grand final, the Queensland team having earned their spot in the decider by edging the Southern Steel, 67-64, last weekend.

In last year’s championship game the Firebirds came from behind to take a last gasp win that broke the hearts of the plucky Swifts side but head coach Rob Wright’s team have played throughout 2016 armed with the confidence of a new found realisation.

Wright has revealed the Swifts were able to admit that in 2015, the Firebirds were a better all-round side than his team and that luck had played little part in their grand final loss.

It is that realisation that has allowed the Sydney based team to reach new heights in 2016 and set up a revenge match against the Firebirds.

“The (grand final) loss hit hard because we knew we weren’t good enough,’’ Wright admitted in an interview with leading netball journalist Amanda Lulham from the Daily Telegraph’s Swoop.

“We knew we had to become much better this year to have another shot at them.

“I think we’ve done that. But now we have to go to a new level to win on Sunday.’’

The Grand Final takes place at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday at 12 noon (AEST). The game will be broadcast live on Channel 10 (ONE in WA), Fox Sports Australia 3, Sky Sport NZ 1 and the Netball Live App.