“We are still in the race and unless results go against us, and we are mathematically out of the race, we will continue to prepare for every game with an eye to being in the Finals mix later this year,” Swifts Coach Briony Akle said.

The team is only one win behind the Queensland Firebirds, who sit in fourth spot but the Swifts’ failure to secure the same number of bonus points that sees them lie sixth on 37 points with Sunshine Coast Lightning in fifth on 47 points.

“While it can be frustrating looking at the ladder and knowing if it wasn’t for the bonus points our fate would be in our own hands, it is the same for every team," Akle said.

"It’s up to us to go out and deliver wins first, and hope those translate into the extra bonus points needed,” she said.

The Magpies, who are out of finals contention, will be a challenge especially with Australian Diamond, and former Swifts defender, Sharni Layton announcing her retirement from all forms of the game earlier this week.