THE GIANTS are off the mark in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season, after they downed the Adelaide Thunderbirds 59-54 to also end the Thunderbirds’ undefeated start to the year. In a match full of swinging momentums, the GIANTS snuck ahead late, held their composure and took the win by five goals.

It took a while, but the Adelaide Thunderbirds did get the first goal off the first centre pass – which luckily for them was theirs – after a few nervy moments. Adelaide was playing with confidence early, picking up four of the first five goals to establish an early lead.

Amy Parmenter was a woman on a mission and thanks to her work in defence the GIANTS were able to level proceedings. Adelaide then snuck ahead again, before the GIANTS were able to draw level again as the Power Five period began. Thanks to some very accurate Super Shot shooting from the Giants, it was the visitors who took a five-goal lead into the first break.

The GIANTS were able to maintain their lead for opening exchanges of the second term as both defences flying – both literally and metaphorically – and Adelaide could not find a way to eat into the deficit. However in the final few minutes of the quarter Adelaide finally kicked into gear and started to turn things around. The Thunderbirds slowly but surely worked their way back into the game, and thanks to some on point Super Shot shooting from Eleanor Cardwell, the scores were level at the main break.

The third quarter was tight. Many lead changes happened across the quarter and neither side managed to get more than a couple of goals ahead. Ultimately it was the Thunderbirds who took a three goal lead into the final, but their superstar goal keeper Shamera Sterling came off with a concerning looking injury. Thankfully for the home side though she was able to return to the court at the start of the last quarter.

Adelaide maintained its lead through the opening five minutes of the quarter, and it was looking the Thunderbirds was going to keep its undefeated run. Slowly but surely the GIANTS worked their way back into the match, and drew back level about halfway through the term.

The GIANTS snuck ahead in the final few minutes, but Cardwell’s Super Shot prowess ensured the visitors could not rest just yet. However, the GIANTS maintained their composure and held on their lead for the win.

For the GIANTS Sophie Dwyer landed a whopping six Super Shots, while Jamie-Lee Price (35 feeds, 13 assists, three deflections, two gains, two intercepts) had just another great game.

Meanwhile for Adelaide Sterling was again brilliant and finished with nine gains, right deflections and two intercepts, while Georgie Horjus (26 feeds, nine assists) was industrious out at wing attack.

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS          12 | 17 | 15 | 10 (54)
GIANTS NETBALL                          17 | 12 | 12 | 18 (59)

STARTING SEVENS

Adelaide Thunderbirds

GS: Eleanor Cardwell
GA: Tippah Dwan
WA: Georgie Horjus
C: Tayla Williams
WD: Latanya Wilson
GD: Matilda Garrett
GK: Shamera Sterling

GIANTS Netball

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Tilly McDonnell