State bragging rights are on the line as the Swifts host the GIANTS at Ken Rosewall Arena on Anzac Day in what's sure to be a heated a NSW Derby.
When and Where: Saturday, April 25 at 5pm at Ken Rosewall Arena
Tickets: While not a GIANTS home game, show your support at Ken Rosewall Arena this Saturday. Tickets available via Ticketmaster
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel, Kayo Freebies or Binge. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
Last Time they Met: The two sides last met in round 11 last season where it was the Swifts who overcame a superb start from the GIANTS to register a 75-66 Derby win. Full of energy from the first centre pass, the GIANTS dominated the opening quarter as Erin O’Brien continued her standout form to give her side an 11-goal lead at the first break. After making a host of tactical changes the Swifts slowly got back into the game in the second term, outscoring the GIANTS 18-15 in the quarter to cut the lead to eight at the half. The Swifts ramped it up a gear in the third term as their defensive intensity lifted to give them a 7-1 headstart in the quarter. The strong third term saw the Swifts level the scores at the last change before they continued to fire in the final term to run out 11-goal winners.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS will be hoping they can break their 2026 hoodoo in the best way possible on Saturday – with a win over their crosstown rivals. While still searching for their first victory of the season, the GIANTS continue to show that their best is good enough for large periods despite falling short of victory thus far. The GIANTS had a chance to take down the Lightning in their most recent outing but a big last quarter from the Sunshine Coast saw the GIANTS fall, 59-51. After trailing by three at the half the GIANTS came out with renewed energy in the third to race out of the blocks and hit the lead. The Lightning managed to hit back to level the scores entering the final term before their composure when it mattered most saw them run out eight-goal winners. As has been the tale for the last few weeks, the GIANTS will need to focus on their consistency if they’re to take down the Swifts on Saturday, with their best clearly good enough, but just needed across four quarters of netball.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Swifts will also enter Saturday’s Derby hoping to kickstart their season after a tough start to their 2026 campaign sitting at 1-5 as they enter the half-way mark of the season. Similar to the GIANTS, the Swifts will be hoping for a more consistent performance on Saturday after following up a fantastic first half against the Firebirds with a poor second half last week to fall 77-66. The Swifts led 42-37 at the main break before being outscored 40-24 in the second half to go down by 11. They’ll now be eager to respond with a much more consistent output throughout the game in order to take down the GIANTS on Saturday.
The Name: Jo Harten - Adding an extra layer to this week’s NSW Derby is the fact that one of the GIANTS’ best-ever players will be sitting on the Swifts bench on Saturday. A GIANTS legend, Jo Harten was a foundation player at the club and a fearless captain for almost a decade before calling time on her remarkable playing career at the end of last season. Making a move into coaching, Harten is now the specialist shooting coach for the Swifts and in an interesting turn of events will now be looking to help her side take down the GIANTS on Saturday.
The Narrative: The NSW Derby is one of the most intense rivalries in netball and it’ll add another chapter on Saturday as both sides battle it out for a much-needed win. With both sides having started their season not how they would have liked, Saturday’s game is shaping as a crucial clash in the context of the season for both the GIANTS and the Swifts.
The Notes: “We continue to show that our best is more than good enough but again we need to focus on being more consistent. We’ve shown great fight and played some fantastic netball in recent weeks, now it’s about displaying that across four quarters. It’s always a fierce contest against the Swifts and we’re excited about the opportunity we have ahead of us on Saturday.” - Nerida Stewart.
