100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Sunshine Coast Lightning get their season off to a cracking start in Melbourne

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Record number of runners set for event, roads to close

A record turnout is expected for one of Australia's most scenic running events. More than 8500 participants are set to tackle the ASICS Runaway Noosa More

How ‘diving on concrete’ shaped Maroons rookie

Trent Loiero counts Queensland hardman Michael Crocker among his muses. But the Melbourne forward feels he's struck the balance between fire and finesse ahead of More

Play on: project progresses after wild weather

A multimillion-dollar sport and rec complex is still expected to open late next year despite wild weather disrupting works, although one of its tenants More

Stroke survivor to use race as ‘chance to give back’

A woman who suffered multiple strokes is preparing to take part in a popular running festival to raise funds and awareness. Deborah Lazarenko will hit More

Surfer stars in his first world tour event in almost four years

Julian Wilson's incredible run from the trial to the title has fallen just short with the Australian surfing veteran beaten in an epic final More

‘All in’: Coast teen nominates for basketball’s biggest stage

Sunshine Coast teen Rocco Zikarsky has joined the list of Australians taking their NBA shot in 2025. Zikarsky, from the Sunshine Coast, is one of More

Sunshine Coast Lightning started their 2021 Super Netball campaign with an imposing victory, but still have plenty of room for improvement.

The two-time champions toppled Collingwood Magpies 67-56 in their season-opening clash in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Goal attack Steph Wood and wing attack Laura Scherian were in the thick of the action as the Lightning won all quarters and dominated possession (57%).

Vice-captain Wood hit 20 goals from 24 attempts, including 2 of 3 super shot efforts. She also had 20 assists and 29 feeds.

The club’s first foundation player said her team showed some promising signs but they can get significantly better.

“You don’t really know where you’re at until you come up against opposition once the season starts,” she told the Nine Network.

“It’s a great start for us but I think there plenty to work on and we’ll go away and hit (Melbourne) Vixens next week.”

Scherian was almost as busy with 22 assists, 29 feeds and in intercept.

Off-season recruits Mahalia Cassidy and Kate Shimmin looked good in their first games for the Lightning.

Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook

The latter celebrated her 100th national league game, after a lengthy career at the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Cara Koenen, who was called up to the Australian Diamonds for the Constellation Cup during summer, completed 38 of 48 goal attempts.

The Lightning held a 17-16 quarter time lead and expanded their lead to 33-30 by half-time. They skipped clear by 11 goals in the third quarter and held a 54-46 lead after the third quarter, before going on with the job.

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article

The Lightning have not missed the four-team finals of the eight-team competition in their short but successful history.

They won premierships in 2017 and 2018, reached the grand final in 2019 and the preliminary final in 2020.

Their Round 2 clash against the Vixens is on May 9, 1pm.

Their first home game is in Round 3, against West Coast Fever on May 15, 7pm.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share