Queensland Firebirds can move closer to two slices of eternal trans-Tasman netball competition history when they host NSW Swifts in the Australian conference final on Monday.With the 10-team tournament in its ninth and final season, no side has yet won back-to-back titles.The defending champion Firebirds are also on track to finish as the outright most successful team, as they are presently locked with Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds on two championships apiece.The Swifts and Firebirds split their two regular season games, with the home side victorious on each occasion.They met at the corresponding stage last year when Queensland won, with the Firebirds also triumphant over the Swifts in the grand final.This season however the Swifts, who have lost all 10 of their trans-Tasman matches ever played in Brisbane, have had over a weeks break as opposed to less than 48 hours last year.Ive been here for seven seasons and I feel the rivalry with New South Wales immensely, theres a lot at stake for both teams, Firebirds coach Roseleee Jencke said on the clubs website.When we played the Swifts in the Australian conference final last year, there was a lot of discussion around the fact they only had a couple of days off before backing up and werent fully recovered.This time, theyve had a good amount of time to prepare for us.They will be fresh and ready to go. Were looking forward to playing the game with both sides on equal terms.Both teams will put the emphasis on defensive pressure in a match where the ability to convert hard-won turnovers into goals will be critical.We certainly are aware of their ability to score very fast and the need for us to be able to apply defensive pressure for 60-plus minutes, Swifts midcourt star Laura Langman told AAP.It has been a real focus for this week, ensuring that full court presence is there.The real strength of the Firebirds is they dont necessarily have to be in the attacking third to be able to hit the target, that being (star shooter) Romelda (Aiken).They are a massive threat from anywhere when they receive the ball in that mid third.
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Bobby Evans Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.
http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Jared-Goff-Jersey/ .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Greg Gaines Womens Jersey . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid.
Joe Namath Rams Jersey . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- At a time when Tyrod Taylors long-term future in Buffalo is in question, coach Rex Ryan put his quarterback on notice on Monday by saying hes not happy with the Bills passing attack.In assessing what went wrong with Buffalos defense during a second-half meltdown in a 38-24 loss at Oakland on Sunday, Ryan wrapped up his answer by placing some of the blame on his offense.Obviously, we have to be able to throw the football if people are going to get it down there a little bit, Ryan said, in an apparent reference to Taylor missing throws to open receivers. Thats been inconsistent, and obviously that can help us, too.The Bills squandered a 24-9 lead over the final 20 minutes, during which the Raiders scored 29 consecutive points and Buffalos offense combined for 68 net yards with Taylor turning the ball over twice.Ryan followed up by questioning whether he and his staff are asking too much of Taylor as a passer.For some reason, (its) not getting done to where we need it to, he said, noting the Bills rank 31st in the NFL in allowing a sack for every 11 pass attempts. Thats clearly not good enough. So we just have to take a hard look and weve got to improve in a hurry.Ryans criticisms of Taylor are a departure for a coach who had previously been a staunch defender the teams second-year starter. And they come at a time when Buffalo (6-6) is falling out of the playoff picture and in jeopardy of extending the NFLs longest active postseason drought to 17 years.Buffalo has no margin for error in opening a three-game homestand against Pittsburgh (7-5) on Sunday.Taylors future in Buffalo isnt secure beyond this season. Though the Bills signed Taylor to a five-year contract extension in August, the team retained the right to opt out of the deal -- and the $27.5 million he is owed in salary and bonuses- before it kicks in this offseason.Ryan did defend Taylor by noting the Bills have spent much of the season playing with an injury-depleted group of receivers. Starter Sammy Watkins has playeed just three games because of an injury to his surgically repaired left foot, and Robert Woods has missed three games due to foot and knee injuries.ddddddddddddRegardless of whether its Tom Brady or anybody else, I think thats going to affect you, Ryan said.Inconsistency, however, has been an ongoing concern, and became apparent against Oakland.Taylor was 12 of 18 for 132 yards passing and had a touchdown rushing when Mike Gillislee scored on a 2-yard run to put Buffalo ahead 24-9 six minutes into the third quarter. Taylor closed by completing six of his final 17 attempts for 59 yards.Buffalo leads the NFL with 1,943 yards rushing, but ranks last with 2,178 yards passing.There was plenty of blame to be spread in an outing during which Ryan acknowledged all three phases of his team imploded.The defense allowed the Raiders to scored four touchdowns on five drives and failed to register a takeaway for the fifth time in six outings. Punter Colton Schmidt struggled by mis-hitting consecutive punts -- one for 35 yards and the other 39 -- to set up Raiders scoring drives.Linebacker Preston Brown pinned the blame on the defense.It was like the longest third quarter ever. We came out and go up by 15, and everybody thought, `Oh, weve got it, Brown said. Then they just stormed back. It was our fault on defense. Weve got to make plays. (The offense) gave us a good lead. Weve got to find ways to hold it.Game notes CB Ronald Darby (concussion protocol) has been cleared to practice after missing one game. ... LB Lerentee McCray has been placed in the concussion protocol after being hurt against Oakland. ... Without getting into specifics, Ryan said communication couldve been better when it came to him learning TE Charles Clay planned to miss the game at Oakland to attend the birth of his first child.---For more NFL coverage:
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