WITH a top four spot up for grabs, the GIANTS made the most of their opportunities to run out 10-goal victors against West Coast Fever (70-60). But they did not have it all their own way with Fever pushing them to their limits and ultimately knocking them out of finals contention by denying them all four bonus points. In her farewell game Kim Green left a remarkable legacy and drew upon every inch of her experience and class to spur her side on.

The Fever were determined to end their season on a high edging out to a three goal lead midway through the first term. Jamaican powerhouse, Jhaniele Fowler was on song early owning the goal circle with her height, athleticism and strength to wrestle the ball out of mid-air and slot it through the net with 16 goals straight. Alice Teague-Neeld had a hot start to the game for the Fever with her dynamic movement and ability to find Fowler with ease in the circle amassing a team-high seven goal assists for the opening term. Although she did not find the net only managing one goal for the quarter she did the little things well, driving hard into the circle and providing an option in the attacking third. In Courtney Bruce’s absence, youngster Olivia Lewis also left her mark on the game in the opening quarter getting hands to ball and reading the play exceptionally well to stifle the GIANTS movement in the circle picking up two deflections, one intercept and three deflections. For the GIANTS Kristiana Manu’a worked tirelessly to try and quell the influence of Teague-Neeld out the front while also dropping back on towering shooter, Fowler. But neither team could be separated going into the quarter time break with 17 goals apiece.

The GIANTS went bang in second quarter piling on a whopping 21 goals to 11. They were more composed with ball in hand while their connections down the court intensified finding each other on the drive and linking up with ease. The connection between both Jo Harten and Caitlin Bassett lifted with the two hard to stop credit to their sheer class and netball nous. Only three goals were missed between the two shooters with Bassett nailing 15 from 17 while Harten converted six of her seven shots. Retiree, Green had a vintage performance in the attacking third with her silky footwork, fight for the ball and bullet passes on full display. Green showed that she still had plenty to give in what was to be her final game with six goal assists along with two gains and two intercepts. With the wheels starting to fall off in the attacking third for the Fever, Stacey Marinkovich made a host of changes in the dying minutes of the quarter bringing on Kaylia Stanton and pushing Teague-Neeld out to wing attack but it was to no avail with the side unable to eat into the 10-goal margin heading into half time.

With another bonus point up for grabs the GIANTS made no mistake claiming their second for the game. Although the Fever upped their intensity across the court with Stacey Francis putting Harten through her paces thanks to her physical nature it was not enough to disrupt the GIANTS who were humming. Ingrid Colyer made her way back onto the court in wing attack for West Coast using her drive and speed to hit the circle edge but the placement of her feeds at time were a bit off allowing the likes of Sam Poolman and Manu’a to pick off passes and force turnovers. Stanton injected herself into the game nailing four goals from six attempts but lacked that drive and movement in the circle. For the GIANTS, Jamie-Lee Price turned on the afterburners picking up her work rate both in attack and defence. Price showcased her skill to win ball back with one gain and one intercept while also displaying her impressive vision into the circle with five goal assists. Amy Parmenter continued her blistering season covering Colyer’s every move and applying strong hands over pressure to regain possession for her side.

The Fever made the most of their opportunities in the last quarter to run out with a bonus point after an 18 goals to 16 term. Fowler proved unstoppable under the post once again, nailing another 16 goals from 17 attempts. Jess Anstiss lifted her work rate after a relatively quiet three quarters picking up a timely intercept and a gain. But in the end the GIANTS were just too strong holding on to their 10 goal lead. Fowler finished with 50 goals from 52 attempts at 96 percent both Stanton and Teague-Neeld converted five goals from seven attempts at 71 percent. Harten (23 from 29) and Bassett (47 from 50) were accurate to post helping to get the GIANTS over the line.

STARTING LINE-UP:

GIANTS Netball:

GS | Caitlin Bassett
GA | Jo Harten
WA | Kim Green
C | Jamie-Lee Price
WD | Amy Parmenter
GD | Kristiana Manu’a
GK | Sam Poolman

West Coast Fever:

GS | Jhaniele Fowler
GA | Alice Teague-Neeld
WA | Ingrid Colyer
C | Verity Charles
WD | Jess Anstiss
GD | Stacey Francis
GK | Olivia Lewis